https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

How the Office of Lieutenant Governor Became a Fearless Voice

It did not matter to me that the Indian Police Service was all men led. I knew I could steer it I never accepted inequality, injustice and servitude. I dealt with the political establishment that expected me to be their ‘rubber stamp’ As Lt. Governor of Puducherry, I overhauled and reinvigorated moribund systems. Puducherry needed a fearless command
Indian Masterminds Stories

I recall a decision I took as a 12-year-old girl. I wanted science in 9th standard, not the subject ‘household’, as was urged by my teacher. I decided to leave my city’s most acclaimed and eminent school Sacred Heart in Amritsar, where I had been since kindergarten. I passed the Board exam the same year, earning a double promotion and entered a prestigious college, getting ahead of my classmates from my previous school – because I dared.

I knew what was not for me. I never allowed anything imposed on me. My upbringing was towards self-reliance and self-dependence with a spirit of giving and sharing. I had learnt to create solutions out of little or nothing. For instance, I was shadow practising when I did not have a tennis court.

My father taught me the art of self-learning. My mother imbibed in me personal discipline with selflessness in action. I always asked myself how I could do more for others.

IPS WAS AN INNER CALLING TO SERVE

I did my post-graduation, earning academic and sports scholarships, the first time any student got two together on merit. I travelled with books while on the tennis circuit to do well in exams, knowing that would be my future. I optimally used every hour of my day, valuing every resource of my Government College and Punjab University, Chandigarh, for learning and personal growth. I knew where I was to go. What was I to do? How will I achieve it?

I became the first woman in India to join the officer ranks of the Indian Police Service as an inner calling to serve – because this is who I was. It did not matter to me that the service was all men led. I knew I could steer it. From day one, I felt at home in my police uniform. I led the all-male contingent (taller than me) at the Republic Day Parade in Delhi on January 26, 1975, marching 14 kilometres with a sword in my hand. Despite my seniority, I was being overlooked by my Police Chief, thinking it would be tough for me. I got to command the contingent only after he heard me. It sent a clear message that I was an equal match, if not more.

I never accepted inequality, injustice and servitude. I created resources and found solutions. I was people-centric in all my positions, even when a few envious seniors and some peers were scorning it. My true friends were my immediate family, close friends, extended family of co-workers and a few seniors. I valued every day of my service. The citation of the Ramon Magsaysay Award received in 1994 in Government Service, also considered the Nobel Peace Prize of Asia, encompasses my creativity in policing, prison reforms and social engineering.

TAKING CHARGE AS LT. GOVERNOR, PUDUCHERRY

In my responsibility as Lt. Governor of Puducherry, I overhauled and reinvigorated moribund systems. Puducherry needed an authentic and fearless command. There were many powerful and vested interests. I earned this position of trust when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi categorically told me while offering me to be the Lt. Governor of Puducherry – “Go and take care of the money in Puducherry, Kiran Ji.”

I served the People of Puducherry for nearly five years, making each day count. I got introduced to the Union Territory not by its natural beauty but more by its clogged and dry irrigation canals not dredged for decades. Or the rotting filth, lost ponds, deserted lakes, and dry tanks abandoned to decay. I left Puducherry with its crown-jewel beach nearly restored. It has brought back marine life, cheer and abundance in the economy, tourism, and quality of life for the people of Puducherry and its continual visitors.

My book, Fearless Governance, illustrates how a sense of belonging rejuvenates problem-solving in any service. I dealt with the political establishment seeking acquiescence and expected me to be their ‘rubber stamp’; instead, they witnessed the fundamentals of good governance. The office of Lieutenant Governor became a Fearless Voice!

With people of Puducherry

(Editor’s Note: Starting today, Indian Masterminds will be serialising Dr. Kiran Bedi’s book, ‘Fearless Governance’, publishing one new chapter every week.)


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Bahraich Wolf
Wolf Scare in Bahraich: Infant Killed, Woman Injured Amid Suspected Wild Attacks
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Bastar’s Development Boom: Rs. 1.52 Lakh Crore Investment Fuels Transformation into India’s New Growth Engine, NMDC Leads Public Investment
Indian Bureaucracy News Latest
Govt Appoints IRSME Officer Devidatta Satapathy as CVO of Paradip Port, Extends IAS Dinesh Kumar’s Tenure in Defence
DRDO MoU JNU
DRDO Signs MoU with JNU to Boost AI, Cybersecurity & NLP for Defence Innovation and Application
Tehri Lake
Tehri Lake to Become Global Tourism Hub with Rs. 11,000 Crores ADB-Backed Development Boost! Over 87,000 Locals to Benefit
Northern-Coalfields-Limited-NCL-Resized
Ashutosh Dwivedi Appointed Director (Technical) of NCL After ACC Approval, Term Until October 2028
World Elephant's Day
Northeast Elephant Conservation Plan Targets Habitat Corridors, Community Engagement, and Anti-Poaching Efforts
SUGAM-portal
UP: ‘Sugam Portal’ to Strengthen Urban Growth & Prevent Public Property Damage, Responsible Urban Governance Materialised
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Shikha Goel
How Modern Forensics Helps Police Solve Crimes – IPS Officer Shikha Goel Explains | Video Interview
IPS Shikha Goel
Decoding Digital Dangers: Insights from IPS Shikha Goel on Cyber Crimes
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
Managing Elections, Communal Tensions, and Public Safety – Meet IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Ishwarlal Gurjar UPSC
10th Grade Failure to Indian Police Service: Ishwarlal Gurjar’s UPSC Success Path
Read the inspiring journey of Ishwarlal Gurjar from a small village in Rajasthan to becoming an IPS officer....
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
Social Media
IAS Medha Roopam
IAS Medha Roopam’s Inspiring Dedication in Flood-Hit Noida Goes Viral: Focuses on Relief, Education Amid Heavy Rains
Books in One Hand, Umbrella in Other: Noida DM Medha Roopam Leads Flood Relief from the Front
IAS Sakshi Sawhney Amritsar DC
Punjab Floods: IAS Sakshi Sawhney’s Emotional Appeal to Elderly Man Wins Hearts, Video of Humanity Goes Viral
Viral Video Captures Emotional Moment as Amritsar DC Shows Sensitivity and Courage Amid Relief Effor...
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Bahraich Wolf
Wolf Scare in Bahraich: Infant Killed, Woman Injured Amid Suspected Wild Attacks
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Bastar’s Development Boom: Rs. 1.52 Lakh Crore Investment Fuels Transformation into India’s New Growth Engine, NMDC Leads Public Investment
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Shikha Goel
IPS Shikha Goel
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT