She is one of the most inspirational women in India. Dr Kiran Bedi speaks to Neetal Parekh about the ‘India Vision Foundation’.

For many Kiran Bedi is synonymous with the hit TV show Aapki Kacheri Kiren ke saath’.

It was a show that set a new benchmark for reality TV in India. It dealt with some hard hitting issues whilst at the same time kept many of us glued to the set week in week out.

The show aimed to resolve many quarrels and problems amicably in one sitting without going to the Court which may take years to solve.

But Dr Bedi was already one of the country’s most inspiring figures. She was India’s highest ranking woman officer joining the Indian Police Service in 1972. She has also been a Lecturer and Tennis Champion. She has authored several and a columnist with leading newspapers and magazines.

But it is in essence her willingness to raise issues and highlight the problems of the masses that has helped her to become beacon of hope in her country.

Twenty years ago she helped to establish the ‘India Vision Foundation’ (IVF) which deals drug abuse treatment, schooling for children of prisoners and health care for the urban and rural poor. Dr Bedi said, ‘India Vision Foundation is an NGO based and headquartered in New Delhi. Our organisation is committed to rebuild the lives of the imprisoned and those whose families have a history of incarceration from Central Prison, Tihar Jail.

“Our primary objective is to provide our target population with social skills, vocational training and ample opportunity, increasing their employability and enabling their smooth transition to becoming ‘mainstream’.

“So, in answer to your question the aim and objectives have not changed, but what has changed the magnitude and variety of the problems. We have moved and accepted changes making the best out of them.

She remains passionate about the IVF vision, “IVF are making an effort to make a safer India.

“It is an effort that is massively trying to improve the communication challenge of connecting citizens with the Police service.

“It is working in the field of social empowerment of people and acts as a bridge between the complainant and concerned authority and department.”

The work of Dr Bedi was also the subject of a documentary by Australian film maker Megan Doneman.

It went on to win the Best Documentary Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Another documentary on her, In Gandhi's footsteps, also was awarded the Best Documentary at the Indo-American Film Festival in Atlanta.

I was intrigued to know the most common issues the organisation dealt with. India has issues with Matrimonial Disputes, Dowry Harassment, Domestic Violence, Property Disputes, Police not lodging complaint and Drug and Alcohol Addiction.

Dr Bedi explained further that the services offered by IVF help tackle and guide those who are affected by all of these issues.

The IVF is evidently an operative and profound organisation, but what concerned me was how realistic ‘justice’ is in India compared to the UK.

Dr Bedi was very honest enough to say that the legal system compared to the UK is still far behind as the judiciary and legal system is affected by corruption.

“Justice in most cases is an unrealistic expectation as cases are stretched so far along that they are forgotten amidst the other pending cases.”

Although this is extremely disturbing to know, however, it refreshing to witness that Dr Bedi has set up an organization like IVF which is making a difference socially and emotionally. I couldn’t help but ask when Dr Bedi plans to come to up North and she said ‘next year she will come to Manchester’ as she has never been. “Thank you for your very refreshing interview a few minutes ago. See you in Manchester next year’.

The pleasure and honour is mine Dr Bedi.

For further information about the work of IVF see www.indiavisionfoundation.org.