Women Try changing it

First ladies take the lead

Women seize the day

Enough, let Pune change us

A job for media: get rivers cleaned

For safer 2010, my wishlist

Woman, help her, yourself

Feedback, ride on its back

Bursting with joy,not crackers

Kick out the fear, stop playing ball

YES MADAM SIR coming to NYC IFC theatre

Hi All,
YES MADAM, SIR, the Kiran Bedi biopic, narrated by Helen Mirren and filmed over six years, is screening in NYC at the IFC cinemas, from 31st July - 5th August. This is as apart of DOCUWEEK selection, which qualifies our film for the 2010 Academy Awards for 'Best Feature Documentary'.
View the trailer on the following link: www.yesmadamsir.com and www.kiranbedi.com
OR on YOUTUBE, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdteZIdoF4A
Purchase tickets at the following link: http://www.documentary.org/docuweeks09

PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDSYES MADAM, SIR
-
NYC SCREENING - IFC CENTRE
Fri 7/31 3:25 PM 9:50 PM
Sat 8/1 12:00 PM 5:30 PM
Sun 8/2 1:50 PM 7:25 PM
Mon 8/3 3:25 PM 9:45 PM
Tue 8/4 12:00 PM 5:30 PM
Wed 8/5 1:50 PM 7:25 PM
Thu 8/6 1:50 PM 7:25 PM

Channelise right, wrong

Elders ignored, neglected

Holiday or Poll-iday?

Who’s Human Rights?

I was recently in France at a Seminar on Human Rights. The focus of the conference was to examine the current trends in Europe and Asia regarding the criminal justice systems. And how can the effectiveness of the respect and protection of Human Rights in the Criminal Justice Systems be evaluated? What rights must be observed in pre-trial procedure and detention? In what stages of trail are human rights violations more likely to occur and how can these vulnerabilities be addressed. Is the number of prisoners increasing? How effective are the existing measures for social reinsertion? Are his/ her rights as a citizen diminished in prison? Hence the main objective of the seminar was to discuss ways of better protecting human rights in the various stages of criminal justice systems. With specific focus on identifying trends on how individual rights are being protected in two continents; find common priorities in meeting international human rights standards on pre-trial, trial, post-trial as well as sentencing /punishment. And then formulate recommendations for relevant institutions at a national level, regional and inter-regional level. I was invited to be a keynote speaker on the plenary day. And I am quite certain that I was perhaps the only person from the police profession therefore probably had a different perspective. The conference was over flowing with eminent lawyers, judges, non profit organizations, academia, and other human rights activists. I posited some basic questions before the participants which have been agitating me for all these years and assumed a sense of urgency in current times of brutal terror attacks.. Here is the one question I posited before the august gathering- “Who is looking at the rights of the victims”? For the victim/s is suffering in innumerable ways. Be it by loss of life or his possessions; children getting orphaned; dependent families their earning members; country losing precious resources; investors their hard earned life savings; aging parents their most loved ones; and in assault on women, permanent scars of rape on their mind and body? And what about the endless wait for the prosecution and the trials? Accused is mostly on bail and in serious cases may be in jail. But so are the victims and the witnesses. Sometimes delayed trials help the accused to wear out the victims. And at times the accused too lose by delayed trials. But the fact is that in every case there are victims and victims. The accused with muscle and money power is open to hire expensive legal support while the victim is dependent on the over worked government prosecutor. Undoubtedly there are issues of rights on both sides. But how can we ignore one at the cost of the other? Who is speaking for the victim created by the accused? The same police who are always under pressure to deliver, despite huge constraints. The accused has a right to be quiet; defended, medically cared for; legally protected; safely lodged; even educated and reformed; to the extent that he can study and take an examination and qualify for the UPSC examination. What about the good cops who are exhausted, tired, ill equipped, most of the time no money to travel and dispose off the corpses.---When we want the maximum out of the police for the protection of human rights of the accused, (which they must), who will address their right to appropriate resources; legal support; forensics, better availability of information technology; laws, training, fitness; departmental support, material support, newer skills; their security; modern weaponry; living conditions; family and their children needs; their future? I am in no way proposing lowering of standards of human rights of the accused. They must have a right to all humane treatment and legal defense for us to remain a civilized society. All I am asking for is for how long will we continue to ignore the hapless victims who are left to themselves, scarred, injured, maimed, orphaned, deprived, impoverished, neglected, isolated, defamed? Who is going to walk the talk, legislate and implement victim’s rights? We need a more comprehensive approach to human rights and human responsibilities. We cannot just begin and end with the accused. We have to address the serious issue with that of the Accused+ Victim. In order to do that we have to dissect all the criminal justice and social processes which are impacting our trust in the justice systems? The A+V+CS, i.e. Accused +Victim +Civil Society is looking for speedy and effective justice. All three are, ‘we the people’. And amongst us are the accused and victims. But we as a society are also the resource providers as also problem solvers. We need to put out heads together to take these issues head on and strike a careful balance. Any thinking forum which ignores holistic comprehension of human rights may just be aggravating or postponing the problem while believing it is solving it.

Hard-earned name

Bridging the gap

Bridging the English gap

My American friends, Heather and Mark, who I met last year through my God daughter, love India, its people, the spicy food and the adventure and spirituality it has to offer.

When they visited me last year from New York, they expressed a keen interest in volunteering with my not-for-profit, India Vision Foundation. I suggested they conduct an English conversation training course for the teachers of our rural primary school, 35 km outside Delhi. They were very excited. Given their busy schedules – Heather is a Managing Director at Standard & Poor’s/Crisil and Mark is the editor of an archaeology magazine – they decided they would undertake the effort during their next vacation trip to India.

Before I knew it, they were getting organized, gathering support and working around their schedules. Heather got across to her employer’s parent organization, McGraw-Hill, a major US publisher, for educational materials. Heather’s colleagues at India-based Crisil volunteered translating children’s stories for the effort.

The couple volunteered to stay on the project premises in the village, knowing well, that the rural setting had erratic power supply, mosquitoes, and dogs barking at 3AM, besides many other constraints of connectivity etc. But their focus was their students.

With the active support of our in-house project co-coordinators, Chandni and Shakira and others, they got on to work with the teachers and some school children, the very next day of their arrival. On our side, there was a great deal of anticipation and enthusiasm amongst the “students” about learning to converse in English without being teased or jeered at.

I was naturally curious to assess the impact of this exercise. I therefore took an open feedback session. I truly came back with an experience I will cherish forever.

It proved beyond doubt certain realities of our schooling today and particularly for those educational institutions whose strength and focus is not teaching adequately and correctly, the English language. It had messages for those in governance, administration, education, community service and parents.

Here is some of the feedback in the participants’ own words.

1. “I had lost 10 to 12 years of my life without knowing how to converse and convey my feelings in English when I needed to. I had a burning desire in me to regain my lost time. This course has given me that...”

2. “Every time my children would correct me and at times made fun…now I will be happy to be corrected and also correct them for now I know the right way to say…”

3. “The world has opened up for me. Earlier someone else spoke for me while I looked on. Now I will no more be a mere onlooker”.

4. “We were never exposed to such sort of training. No one explained to us and taught us this way. We got no chance... This is the first time I got such an opportunity”.

5. “Environment of learning is so important. Once in a while I used to open a dictionary for help but it never worked. Also after school there is so much of house work and children to be taken care of. There is no time to self educate. Here it has been so much of joyful focused learning”.

“Besides learning to communicate in English, have you learnt anything else”? I asked.

They said…

*... “I will now not skip the English news.”
*... “I will now not avoid reading English newspapers.”
* ...“I will not hesitate sharing in our afternoon reviews in English.”
*… “At home I will be able to speak with my children in English.”
*… “I will read my children’s English books. Earlier I used to put them aside.”
*… “I have learnt to do better time management by seeing them organize and work efficiently.”
*… “I will not feel hesitant anymore in speaking in English even if I am feeling that I am making a mistake. Because this is the only way I will keep up my practice.”

We, at the rural project, realized how important English speaking was to all of them. How left out they had been feeling when others spoke in their presence. How deep within them was the inferiority complex of not being able to communicate in English. How inadequate they felt missing out on books, news, English movies etc. How hesitant they were reaching out to their own children when tutoring them.

It was really insightful when I was told by a ten year-old girl student that her mother said…
“You are learning for your Zindagi…(life)”

While our teachers and some school children learnt English from both the visitors, Mark tried learning Sanskrit, after class hours, from the priest amongst the students.

Here is what Heather and Mark had to say…

“Even though there were minor inconveniences, these were all outweighed by many positive surprises. We were very impressed by the breadth and commitment, extraordinary effectiveness, the personal touch, and good humor of all and the treats of fabulous Indian vegetarian meals and the beauty of the afternoon light falling on the court yard. As to our mission, in the space of just two weeks we saw participants speaking more confidently and progressed with pronunciation beyond their own expectations…We have to come back again …To share and to learn….”

After the feedback session the entire class rode out on their bikes as they had planned, to the nearby lake chattering and singing.

Know this law and prevent distress.

Know this law and prevent distress.

It is interesting, how nature, at times, conspires. As I was developing this current piece of work, a young woman by the name of Rashmi came to see me. She presented me with her about-to-be- released, newly published book, 'Woman of Elements'. Rashmi and I had met earlier too, when she had come with the suggestion that I write the preface of the book.

But this meeting was different. I asked her the thought behind this book. She said –sufferings out of Domestic Violence: I asked, ‘who’? She said, ‘she’. I was taken aback. This is exactly what I was planning to write so that people understand the essence of the new law on domestic violence, before they rely on hearsay.

Let me tell you what Rashmi told me.(with her permission).

“ Mrs Bedi, I woke up this morning, switched on music, drank a cup of tea, read the paper, tickled my son to wake him up and hugged my daughter awake. It was a beautiful morning – my everyday morning.

But it wasn’t so for 10 years of my life – when I would wake up in cold sweat wondering what anger, what abuse, what violence I would have to face during the day. I wore full-sleeves and Chinese collars for 10 years to hide the bruises I carried on my body.

Mine was an arranged marriage – I had been working as an advertising professional for 2-3 years prior to that. But violence against women cuts across the boundaries of class and social strata. Our biggest drawback as women is that when abuse takes place against us, we do not speak up about it. We hide behind “acceptability” “decency”. We shrivel up in silence.

I did not even tell my family, not for 5 years. My daughter was 4 when I first went back to my parents – with a broken rib and a smashed face. Not the first instance of violence – it was a common occurrence for me – but that was the first time that I sensed a need in myself to get out of this vile situation. But my husband came to my family – wept, begged, pleaded. And I went back. And I had a second child. My husband gloated, “Now you can never leave”. And the violence escalated.

I had a mother-in-law in the house, but she added to the problems, “ma-baap toh pait kaat kar apnee betiyon ko dete hain”, “biwiyon ko to property aur paison ke baarey mein kuch batana nahin chahiye” etc. Strange words coming from a woman who completely controlled the purse-strings of the family. And when faced with the violence meted out to me, she would respond with, “Toh kya hua? Jo tumhari kismet”.

I had been given an empty floor in this large house in a posh south-Delhi colony, with the not-so-posh words, “hamaari families mein to ladki-waalon se sab kuch aata hai”. So I worked – took up short projects and assignments and tried to build up a home – along with its furniture and everything else that came along with it. From the curtains to the carpets, everything came from my earnings. He did not pay for even a glass.

As time went on and his violence and womanizing got worse, it started telling on the children. My daughter, a brilliant little girl, became quiet and withdrawn. My son completely went into a shell. He would not speak – he would go into his own world when confronted with loud voices. He was put into the special needs section at the school that he was attending – not because he had any learning disability, but because of his emotional problems.

I did not want to live anymore. I had died enough everyday.
Then I looked at my children, and wondered, if I die, what would happen to them? I knew then that I would fight for my life and of my children. I somehow picked up courage and decided to leave with both my kids for my grandmother's house. I earned my freedom after a very bitter and expensive struggle.

Today I am a woman of all elements i.e. Air, Water, Fire and Earth, who picked herself from ashes to rebuild along with my children..."

This is what I have to say in relation to the new Domestic Violence Act (notified few days ago). What if it had been there earlier? And Rushmi knew of it and took the courage to use it, then the husband and the mother-in-law either would have been forced to mend their ways or faced imprisonment for a whole year.

Let me explain how? Under the new law all these acts of domestic violence are specific offences, namely: physical or mental abuse for any reason; addiction, extramarital relationships, unlawful demands, harassment, threat, insult, ridicule, name calling, deprivation of economic or financial resources, alienation of assets etc.

Anyone can complain for the aggrieved woman. The Magistrate can call concerned members of the household to be heard. He can counsel, direct or punish as the case may be. It is a civil, summary proceeding. Violation of orders can call for imprisonment of one year, fine or both.

There is an essential provision for appointment of Protection Officers and NGOs as service providers. Homes could be visited for reporting or follow-ups.

Rushmi could have got protection had this law come in earlier. Her children would not have suffered as much as they did. She could have continued to stay in her own home if she wanted. Her mother-in-law too would have come under home visits of the Protection Officer. All this is the new law.

It is for women who genuinely need help. At no stage should this be used falsely by them. Magistrates and Protection officers are for justice and not pro-women and anti-men.. They are there to prevent distress.

Gandhi's Experiments with Policing

As I watched the resurgence of Gandhi across the media, on television, and across headlines, debates, verdicts, big fights, quiz rounds, spot surveys, exhibitions, and the cinema halls, editorials and articles, something within me inspired me to complete the loop and take the Mahatma to the Police Headquarters where I believe he is needed no less. Imagining Gandhiji as a Police Chief became irresistible for me; I have let my imagination run its course in this week's article and must admit that the experience has been joyful, therapeutic and spiritual.

Since no Chief is without followers I positioned and visualized myself as being one of his juniors who observes how he plays all his roles to provide an eyewitness account of my dream. Some of the frames that flashed before the mind's eye were: his accessibility to ordinary citizens or junior ranks of the police service; or his dealing with VIPs and their innumerable recommendations, justified or otherwise; and his views on crime registration, interrogation, collection of evidence and prosecution of offenders. What would be his advice on issues of on matters of interference by politicians, bureaucrats, influential persons, and ones own seniors? And not to forget the reality of frequent transfers!

Gandhiji was the change he wanted to see in others. Truth and compassion would be the cornerstones of this Chief's philosophy and management style. His tenets and practices would include:

He was out of home daily by 8 AM visiting any one unit by prior announcement or surprise due to which all were on duty well before time. The traffic flowed smoothly and police personnel were present. Whichever unit he reached, he first listened to the staff rather than preached and ordered. He rewarded and appreciated rather than reprimand. He shared and empowered. He smiled and rejoiced and made police men and women relax and smile. He asked them of the welfare of their children and families. All saluted him out of love, not hierarchy.

When questioned on matters of the use of one's discretion he would only say, "Follow the law with compassion. Do only that which is just and fair. Spare no one but you do not be revengeful. Look after the person in your custody. He is in your care. Ensure no one uses any force against him. Use technology and scientific methods of interrogation and investigation; never attribute to him anything which is false. Remain truthful."

To the questions on how convictions would be secured if the path of truth alone was to be followed, he would smile and elucidate, "The results of following the truth cannot be worse than the present state of affairs. On the contrary since you will be believed by the courts and the people it will gradually make it difficult for the defense. This is how you will win the trust of the people. Remember you are an investigator and not a judge. Do your duty truthfully. Believe and practice righteousness and in the right means to the right end. Pray for peace for all before you go to sleep".

When asked to comment on his vacation policies, he would be conscious that many police personnel stayed away from homes for extended periods of time, and would always insist, "No leave will be denied. Take it when you think it is important for you. You know best when you can/should/must go."

On matters of civilian-police interaction, his advice to the police force would be fairly crisp and straightforward, "Keeping peace and security is your sacred duty. Involve people in policing. Let them know the areas which need greater attention and involve residents and village panchayats to self-police. Train and help them. Enroll them as special police officers. Empower citizens to understand policing and their duties by showing them the way."

On the issue of outside influences impacting policing decisions, he would exhort, "Do not get over awed by the rich and powerful. Remember you work for all. And if anyone still bullies you inform your seniors to intervene. And if they don't, follow your conscience. This is your duty. Remember we are trustees of citizens' security. It is a sacred duty."

After having gone through this pleasant, stimulating and emancipating imagination exercise, I wondered for myself, if we will ever see a real Gandhi in uniform? And the spirit of Gandhiji replied with a resounding "yes". Especially, after the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of September 22nd in which all future selections of the Chief of Police will be made from three senior most empanelled officers cleared by the Union Public Service Commission. The Police Chiefs so appointed would have a fixed tenure of two years and cannot be removed without due consultations with the Security Commission which has the Leader of Opposition as a member. No internal appointments too can be interfered with. Also, a Police Complaint Authority will be established that will spare no delinquent violating human rights. Hence the leadership will be empowered and accountable. Historical indeed! Something which was being pleaded for, for the last 20 years was finally becoming a reality.

I firmly believe the future belongs to Gandhigiri. It is just a matter of time.

Mahatma Gandhi Assassination FIR - 1948

English translation of original F.I.R. of Mahatma Gandhi Assassination Case - 1948

First Information of a Cognizable Crime Reported under Section 154, C.P.C.
Police Station : Tughlak Road
District : Central
No. : 68
Date and hour of occurence : 30.1.1948 / 5:45 P.M.

1. Date and hour when reported
2. Name and residence of informant /complainant: Shri Nand Lal Mehta, son of Shri Natha Lal Mehta, Indian, Building Lala Suraj Prasad M Block, Connaught Circus
3. Brief description of offence (with section) and of property carried off, if any:
302 I.P.C.
4 . Place of occurence and distance/ direction from Police Station: Birla House, distance 2 furlongs
5. Name and address of the criminal:
6. Steps taken regarding investigation/ explanation of delay in recording information

Statement of Shri Nand Lal Mehta, son of Shri Natha Lal Mehta, Indian, resident of Connaught Circus Building Lala Sarju Prasad:

Today I was present at Birla House. Around ten minutes past five in the evening, Mahatma Gandhi left his room in Birla House for the Prayer Ground. Sister Abha Gandhi and sister Sanno Gandhi were accompanying him. Mahatma was walking with his hands on the shoulders of the two sisters. Two more girls were there in the group. I alongwith Lala Brij Kishan, a silver merchant, resident of No. 1, Narendra Place, Parliament Street and Sardar Gurbachan Singh, resident of Timar Pur, Delhi were also there. Apart from us, women from the Birla household and two-three members of the staff were also present. Having crossed the garden, Mahatma climbed the concrete steps towards the prayer place. People were standing on both the sides and approximately three feet of vacant space was left for the Mahatma to pass through. As per the custom the Mahatma greeted the people with folded hands. He had barely covered six or seven steps when a person whose name I learnt later as Narayan Vinayak Godse, resident of Poona, stepped closer and fired three shots from a pistol at the Mahatma from barely 2 / 3 feet distance which hit the Mahatma in his stomach and chest and blood started flowing. Mahatma ji fell backwards, uttering "Raam - Raam". The assailant was apprehended on the spot with the weapon. The Mahatma was carried away in an unconscious state towards the residential unit of the Birla House where he passed away instantly and the police took away the assailant.

Sd/-N.L. Mehta/30.1.1948.

Having received the information I rushed to the Birla House to find the dead body of the Mahatma at room No. 3. Met Shri Nand Lal Mehta, his statement recorded and got confirmed after reading it out to him. Copy of the statement handed over to him. Came to know that the assailant was whisked away by the Assistant Sub-Inspector. It was a case of Section 302 Indian Penal Code. All the case papers were sent to the Police Station Tughlak Road and I got engaged in conducting investigations. A special report may be forwarded through the police station.

Sd. in English/30 January