Kiran Bedi was born on June 9, 1949, in Amritsar, Punjab. She is famous as the first woman to join the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1972. Her life story is very inspiring because she broke many barriers in a field mostly dominated by men. Kiran Bedi’s early life, career, and achievements show a story of courage, hard work, and service to the nation.
Early Life And Family
Kiran Bedi was born into a Punjabi business family. Her full name was Kiran Peshawaria before marriage. She was the second child among four sisters. Her parents were Prakash Lal Peshawaria and Prem Lata. Her family was not very religious but respected both Hindu and Sikh traditions. Kiran’s great-great-grandfather moved from Peshawar to Amritsar, where he started a business.
From a young age, Kiran showed promise in many activities. She started her formal education in 1954 at Sacred Heart Convent School in Amritsar. This school focused more on preparing girls for household management rather than science. Even though the school was far from her home, her parents insisted on good education for Kiran and her sisters. Kiran was also active in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) during school.
Her father was a sports lover and encouraged Kiran and her sisters to learn tennis. Kiran began playing tennis when she was only nine years old. She did very well in this sport and became the national junior tennis champion in 1966. Between 1965 and 1978, she won many titles in tennis at national and state levels.
Education
Kiran Bedi was a bright student. She completed her bachelor's degree in English from the Government College for Women in Amritsar in 1968. She then earned a master’s degree in Political Science from Punjab University in Chandigarh. Later, she also studied law and earned an LLB degree from Delhi University in 1988. While working in the police, she completed her Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, focusing on drug abuse and domestic violence.
Before joining the police service, Kiran Bedi worked as a lecturer in Political Science at Khalsa College for Women in Amritsar from 1970 to 1972. She married Brij Bedi, a fellow tennis player, in 1972.
Kiran Bedi Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Education, Birth Place, Husband, Daughter, Son, Family
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kiran Peshawaria Bedi |
| Date of Birth | June 9, 1949 |
| Place of Birth | Amritsar, Punjab, India |
| Education | Bachelor's in English, Master’s in Political Science, Law Degree (LLB), Ph.D. in Social Science |
| Early Talent | National junior tennis champion (1966), won many tennis titles till 1978 |
| Indian Police Service | First woman IPS officer in India, joined in 1972 |
| First Posting | Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Delhi (Chanakyapuri) |
| Special Achievements | President's Police Medal (1979), led successful anti-crime campaigns, traffic reforms |
| Reforms | Brought major reforms to Tihar Jail as Inspector General of Prisons (from 1993) |
| Awards | Ramon Magsaysay Award (1994), several other national and international honors |
| United Nations Role | First Indian and first woman Civilian Police Adviser, United Nations (2003) |
| Social Work | Founded Navjyoti Foundation (1988) and India Vision Foundation (1994) |
| Political Role | Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (2016–2021), BJP leader |
| Retirement from IPS | 2007 |
| Legacy | Pioneer for women in police, prison reformer, social activist, inspirational leader |
Career in Indian Police Service
In 1972, Kiran Bedi made history by becoming the first woman to join the Indian Police Service (IPS). She faced many challenges because this was a male-dominated profession. She was trained at the National Police Academy in Mt. Abu, where she was the only woman in a batch of 80 cadets. She successfully completed the same tough training as her male colleagues.
Kiran Bedi's first posting was as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in the Chanakyapuri area of Delhi. She quickly gained attention for her strict and effective work style. She won the President’s Police Medal in 1979 for her courage and dedication. Over her career, she worked in many cities like Delhi, Goa, Chandigarh, and Mizoram.
One of her important contributions was reducing the crime rate against women in West Delhi. She also managed traffic during large events such as the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi. As Deputy Commissioner of Police in North Delhi, she started a campaign against drug abuse and founded the Navjyoti Delhi Police Foundation, which helped drug addicts.
Reforms at Tihar Jail
One of Kiran Bedi’s most famous achievements was as Inspector General of Prisons at Tihar Jail, Delhi, starting in 1993. Tihar was known as a harsh prison with serious problems like corruption and poor living conditions. Kiran Bedi brought many reforms. She improved cleanliness, food, and medical care. She introduced education and drug treatment programs for prisoners. Because of her work at Tihar, she was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1994, which is often called Asia’s Nobel Prize.
Later Career and Social Work
Kiran Bedi went on to become the head of the United Nations Police and Police Advisor in the United Nations Department of Peace Operations in 2003. She was the first Indian and first woman to hold this position. She retired from the Indian Police Service in 2007 after 35 years of service.
After retirement, she focused on social activism and education. She started the India Vision Foundation and continued her work in helping women and children. She also worked on anti-corruption movements and became a public speaker and television host.
Summary
Kiran Bedi is a pathbreaker and a role model for many. Born in 1949 in Amritsar, she excelled in tennis and academics. She became the first woman IPS officer in 1972, faced many challenges, and brought change in policing and prison reforms. Her work in Tihar Jail changed the lives of many prisoners. Even after retirement, she continued to work for society. Kiran Bedi’s life teaches us courage, hard work, and dedication to making India a better place.
