Asian Education Group (AEG)’s constituent group college, Asian Law College (ALC) – which is ranked as one of the best Law Colleges in Delhi NCR – organized a live webinar session on the topic “IMPORTANCE OF DISCIPLINE & INTEGRITY IN EVERYDAY LIFE” for all BA-LLB/LLB students & aspirants with the “Daughter of India” and currently the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry – Dr. KIRAN BEDI – on Saturday, 12th September 2020 at 5:00 pm under its Guest Lecture Series. As it progressed, the webinar grew into a genuinely enlivening session for all participants.
A retired Indian Police Service officer, social activist, former tennis player and politician who is the current Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry – Dr. Kiran Bedi (born 9th June 1949) is a woman of great eminence and achievements. She is the first female Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and started her service in 1972. She remained in service for 35 years before taking voluntary retirement in 2007 as Director General of Police, Bureau of Police Research and Development.
Becoming the national junior tennis champion in 1966 as a teenager, Dr. Bedi won several titles at national and state-level championships between 1965 and 1978. After joining IPS, Dr. Bedi served in Delhi, Goa, Chandigarh and Mizoram. She began her career as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Chanakyapuri area of Delhi, and won the President’s Police Medal in 1979. Thereafter, she moved to West Delhi, where she brought a reduction in crimes against women. Subsequently, as a traffic police officer, she oversaw traffic arrangements for the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi and the 1983 CHOGM meet in Goa. As DCP of North Delhi, she launched a campaign against drug abuse, which evolved into the Navjyoti Delhi Police Foundation (renamed to Navjyoti India Foundation in 2007).
In May 1993, she was posted to the Delhi Prisons as Inspector General (IG). She introduced several reforms at Tihar Jail, which gained worldwide acclaim and won her the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1994. In 2003, Bedi became the first Indian and first woman to be appointed as head of United Nations Police and Police Advisor in United Nations Department of Peace Operations. She resigned in 2007, to focus on social activism and writing. She has written several books, and runs the India Vision Foundation. During 2008–11, she also hosted a court show Aap Ki Kachehri. She was one of the key leaders of the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement, and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in January 2015. She unsuccessfully contested the 2015 Delhi Assembly election as the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate. On 22 May 2016, Dr. Bedi was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
The much awaited session commenced with the collective singing of our National Anthem during which all participants stood up at their respective virtual places in respect and regard and joined the illustrious guest, Dr. Kiran Bedi in the solemn rendering of the national anthem.
Hereafter, Ms. Garima Malhotra on behalf of the AEG family offered a welcome note and a brief introduction of the honoured guest. Following this, Dr. Kiran Bedi took centre stage.
Initiating her most awaited talk, Dr. Kiran Bedi straightaway came on to the topic of the webinar, namely ‘IMPORTANCE OF DISCIPLINE & INTEGRITY IN EVERYDAY LIFE” and confessed that the two topics of “DISCIPLINE” and “INTEGRITY” were quite dear to her heart and she loved and fostered them as the two key aspects of her value system in her life and achievements.
Excerpting a verse from “Katha Upanishads”, she defined “DISCIPLINE” as something without which there is no way we can control our life and its various situations, both good and bad. Articulating about the specific benefits of ‘Discipline’, Dr. Bedi said, “Discipline helps you channelize your energy, develops an attitude of positivity, increases your focus, improves your mental health, and maintains peace in the society. And, in the long run, Discipline becomes a bridge between your Goal and Accomplishment.”
The illustrious guest then defined “INTEGRITY” as “being gracious, respectful, trustworthy, responsible and helpful.” She further said, “People with integrity are steeped in the moral principles of right and wrong; they are humble, authentic, honest, they don’t do rude arguments, and continue to be like this even while no one is watching.” Spelling out what do they get out of this, Dr. Bedi said, “It strengthens relationships, builds self-awareness, broadens your mind, and makes you happier and healthier.”
Narrating her own personal example, she talked at length about her lifelong adherence to these two principles of “DISCIPLINE” and “INTEGRITY” and how they helped her win all her goals in life by making right choices and has made her what she is today.
The session was then opened for questions from the students by Dr. Kiran Bedi. A range of questions related to her life, struggles and achievements were put up by the students to which the distinguished speaker provided the most convincing answers. Her one special tip to the youth was, “Make better choices … and value them!”
At the end, in her message for the ALC students, Dr. Kiran Bedi said, “Time is flying … Do more, Learn more … NOW! Don’t regret later. This time will not come back again. I’m happy, I did it. I wish you all the same!”
Thereafter, Dr. Kiran Bedi was presented with a gleaming “Memento” on behalf of Asian Education Group, which was well appreciated by the honourable guest.
This brought this genuinely enlivening session with this illustrious “Daughter of India” and currently the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry – Dr. KIRAN BEDI – to a fitting end!
