Who is India's First Woman IPS Officer?

Kiran Bedi, born on June 9, 1949, in Amritsar, Punjab, is the first in the annals of Indian history as the first woman to be part of the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1972. Her distinguished career and service to law enforcement, social reform, and governance have made her a lasting icon of empowerment and courage.

Early Life and Education

Kiran Bedi was the second among four daughters of Prakash and Prem Lata Peshawaria. She was a high achiever academically and in sports from an early age. She was a national tennis champion as a child, winning several titles between 1965 and 1978, including the Asian Women's Lawn Tennis Championship. Bedi followed her studies with the same passion, acquiring a Bachelor's degree in English from Government College for Women in Amritsar, a Master's in Political Science from Punjab University in Chandigarh, a Law degree from Delhi University, and subsequently a Ph.D. from IIT Delhi on drug abuse and domestic violence.

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Career Achievements

Kiran Bedi’s entry into the IPS marked a significant milestone for women in India. She began her career as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri area and quickly gained recognition for her discipline and innovative policing methods. She was awarded the President's Police Medal in 1979 for her exceptional service.

Over her 35-year career, Bedi held various challenging roles across Delhi, Goa, Mizoram, and Chandigarh. As Deputy Commissioner of Police for North Delhi, she initiated a campaign against drug addiction that later developed into the Navjyoti India Foundation. Her term as Inspector General of Prisons in Delhi was especially remarkable for her revolutionary reforms at Tihar Jail. She implemented programs for sanitation, nutrition, literacy, and drug rehabilitation for prisoners, for which she received the distinguished Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1994.

Beyond Policing

Bedi’s influence extended beyond law enforcement. In 2003, she became the first woman to be appointed as the United Nations Civilian Police Adviser. After retiring from the IPS in 2007 as Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development, she devoted herself to social activism through organizations like Navjyoti India Foundation and India Vision Foundation.

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Her political life started by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2015. She remained the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry between 2016 and 2021, where she extended her interest in governance and the welfare of the public.

Legacy

Kiran Bedi is a living example of overcoming obstacles and defying social norms. From being an ace tennis player to revolutionizing India's prison system and motivating people of generations of women to join public service, she has impacted Indian society forever. She continues to inspire many more individuals to work hard against all odds.

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