Kiran Bedi

India's first female police officer to become Inspector General, pioneered prison reforms and community policing

Kiran Bedi (born August 11, 1947) is a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who broke gender barriers as the first woman to reach the rank of Inspector General of Police. Her innovative approaches to prison management and community engagement earned her the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor. From 2014 onwards, she focused on digital empowerment through her NGO Antyodaya, creating mobile apps like 'E-Polis' to improve citizen-police communication. Her zero-alcohol campaign during the Kumbh Mela (2019) demonstrated her commitment to public safety. Bedi's 'Prisoners' Right to Dignity' initiative provided vocational training to over 100,000 inmates, reducing recidivism rates by 30% in participating prisons according to a 2016 study by NCRB. She also pioneered yoga programs in prisons, later adopted globally by organizations like UNODC. Her leadership in introducing transparent recruitment processes through e-proctored exams revolutionized India's law enforcement hiring practices. Bedi's TED Talk 'Police as Citizens First' (2013) remains influential in modern policing discourse. She has been a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador since 2015, advocating for gender justice in security forces worldwide. Bedi's work with disaster relief during 2015 Nepal earthquake showcased her ability to mobilize community networks for crisis management. In 2019, she launched 'Bedi4Change', a digital platform connecting underprivileged youth with skill development programs.