Summy
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As one of the world's biggest film festival's roll around, Toronto International Film Festival, and my life is put on hold, there is one movie coming out that is getting gaining momentum within the media, and is getting really popular. The documentary is about Kiran Bedi, India's first female IPS (Indian Police Services) Member.
Her story starts off in Amrtisar, Punjab India, where she was born and educated. Teachers described her as a leader, her coaches desribed her as stubborn, two qualities that on the surface maybe seen as negative, but only helped her in her end goal. Bedi was a star athlete, getting the oppertunity to travel all over India if she pleased, but that was not her passion. Her interest in social issues led her to interest in the IPS. After graduating from univerisity in Political Science, she used her passion and witts to take the Indian government, and indian mentality to trial. THere was much resistance for her to join the force, however, through her determination, and through the courts, she was eventually able to obtain a position in the IPS, not without her critics.
As she continued to work her way throught the rankings of the IPS, she was also obtaining her law degree from arguable one of the most difficult and prestigous schools in India, Delhi University, she also would end up her with PhD. But the real story, and the focus of the documentry playing in Toronto, is the fight during the years of climbing up the ladder in the IPS.
Her penchant for setting herself apart was evident early in her career. During the Punjab separatist riots, armed only with a wooden stick, Bedi single-handedly fought back militants who would usually use kirpans and swords as their defense. Even militants themselves said they were inspiried by her heroism. When asked if she was scared during the time, she replied with "No, I was really focused". Bedi grew within Punjab and Northern India in populatiry, sh was a force. So popular that people questioned whether she would have enough influence to be a politican, and maybe take over Punjabi politics, but Bedi had no interest for that. She was more grass roots, more in touch with the people, and someone with her credentials, some people who think she would be elitist, however, that was far from the case, she didnt feel comfortable amongst the elite.
That in part, led to discrimination against her. That determination that she was known for soon became a burr under the saddle of the all-male Indian police bureaucracy and politicians alike. During the next chapters of her career, Bedi was given all of the worst postings, no doubt with an eye towards having her quietly ?disappear. She was placed to manage traffic sections of the IPS, and put into positions where her influence would be minor. However, when someone of this character is determined, they are bound to make big strides in small places. She by chance became a civilian offiencer of the United Nations, which eventually led her to gaining a UN medal.
Her most famous story probably comes during the 1980's, a time when the country was divided. Whether it was her actions in Punjab, or the declearation of a fake state of emergency, Indra Gandhi was a conterversial figure. As professional as she could, Bedi let her know how she felt about her actions. She gained immense popularity as she ticketed and towed Indra Gandhi's car for a parking violation.
She was then in charge of one of the world's largest prisons, the Tihar Jail in Delhi. In two years, Bedi enacted huge reforms which the likes of nobody has ever seen. An extremely spiritual person, Bedi enacted Yoga, meditation, and detoxt programs which would eventually led to not only a more peaceful jail, but reactions from prisoners who claim that it was the first time they felt human. Bedi transformed the prison into an institution that garnered international attention, creating literacy, medical, spiritual and educational programmes. During Bedi's time in charge, she had the lowest return rate of criminals in Indian history. She not only treated them like humans, but also made sure they were better people after leaving the jail. Jealous of this attention, her superiors hurriedly transferred her from Tihar, blackening her name in the process. Bedi fought to regain her reputation, and when she was reassigned to the failing, allegedly corrupt Police Training Academy, she vowed to turn it around. And she did.
She is truly an inspiriational story of a simple woman who was able to make a huge change in India, by simply her mind and character. She never comprimised her ethics, and always put her people in front of her.Through these professional peaks and valleys, an unconventional marriage and her final decision to leave India for a position at the United Nations in New York, Bedi has rarely waivered in her struggle for justice, institutional effectiveness and change For that reason, I believe that we should all be aware and thankful of her accomplishments.
Take care,
Summinder Singh
Her story starts off in Amrtisar, Punjab India, where she was born and educated. Teachers described her as a leader, her coaches desribed her as stubborn, two qualities that on the surface maybe seen as negative, but only helped her in her end goal. Bedi was a star athlete, getting the oppertunity to travel all over India if she pleased, but that was not her passion. Her interest in social issues led her to interest in the IPS. After graduating from univerisity in Political Science, she used her passion and witts to take the Indian government, and indian mentality to trial. THere was much resistance for her to join the force, however, through her determination, and through the courts, she was eventually able to obtain a position in the IPS, not without her critics.
As she continued to work her way throught the rankings of the IPS, she was also obtaining her law degree from arguable one of the most difficult and prestigous schools in India, Delhi University, she also would end up her with PhD. But the real story, and the focus of the documentry playing in Toronto, is the fight during the years of climbing up the ladder in the IPS.
Her penchant for setting herself apart was evident early in her career. During the Punjab separatist riots, armed only with a wooden stick, Bedi single-handedly fought back militants who would usually use kirpans and swords as their defense. Even militants themselves said they were inspiried by her heroism. When asked if she was scared during the time, she replied with "No, I was really focused". Bedi grew within Punjab and Northern India in populatiry, sh was a force. So popular that people questioned whether she would have enough influence to be a politican, and maybe take over Punjabi politics, but Bedi had no interest for that. She was more grass roots, more in touch with the people, and someone with her credentials, some people who think she would be elitist, however, that was far from the case, she didnt feel comfortable amongst the elite.
That in part, led to discrimination against her. That determination that she was known for soon became a burr under the saddle of the all-male Indian police bureaucracy and politicians alike. During the next chapters of her career, Bedi was given all of the worst postings, no doubt with an eye towards having her quietly ?disappear. She was placed to manage traffic sections of the IPS, and put into positions where her influence would be minor. However, when someone of this character is determined, they are bound to make big strides in small places. She by chance became a civilian offiencer of the United Nations, which eventually led her to gaining a UN medal.
Her most famous story probably comes during the 1980's, a time when the country was divided. Whether it was her actions in Punjab, or the declearation of a fake state of emergency, Indra Gandhi was a conterversial figure. As professional as she could, Bedi let her know how she felt about her actions. She gained immense popularity as she ticketed and towed Indra Gandhi's car for a parking violation.
She was then in charge of one of the world's largest prisons, the Tihar Jail in Delhi. In two years, Bedi enacted huge reforms which the likes of nobody has ever seen. An extremely spiritual person, Bedi enacted Yoga, meditation, and detoxt programs which would eventually led to not only a more peaceful jail, but reactions from prisoners who claim that it was the first time they felt human. Bedi transformed the prison into an institution that garnered international attention, creating literacy, medical, spiritual and educational programmes. During Bedi's time in charge, she had the lowest return rate of criminals in Indian history. She not only treated them like humans, but also made sure they were better people after leaving the jail. Jealous of this attention, her superiors hurriedly transferred her from Tihar, blackening her name in the process. Bedi fought to regain her reputation, and when she was reassigned to the failing, allegedly corrupt Police Training Academy, she vowed to turn it around. And she did.
She is truly an inspiriational story of a simple woman who was able to make a huge change in India, by simply her mind and character. She never comprimised her ethics, and always put her people in front of her.Through these professional peaks and valleys, an unconventional marriage and her final decision to leave India for a position at the United Nations in New York, Bedi has rarely waivered in her struggle for justice, institutional effectiveness and change For that reason, I believe that we should all be aware and thankful of her accomplishments.
Take care,
Summinder Singh
