PHOTOS

Kiran Bedi turns 73! Catch some UNSEEN PICS of the lady super cop

A politician, former civil servant, social activist and the first woman to join officer rank in India Police Services (IPS), Kiran Bedi on Thursday (June 9) turned 73. Born in a Punjabi Business family, Bedi, unlike the women of her times, took a different career path and became a cop. She joined the Indian Police Service in 1972 and remained in service for 35 years before taking voluntary retirement in 2007 as Director-General, Bureau of Police Research and Development. Bedi also served as the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry from May 28, 2016, to February 16, 2021.

In May 1993, Bedi 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 head of the United Nations Police and Police Advisor in the United Nations Department of Peace Operations.

Zee Media Bureau|

Updated:Jun 09, 2022, 05:13 PM IST

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Kiran Bedi was the first woman to lead the all-male contingent at Republic Day parade 1975

Kiran Bedi's first posting was to the Chanakyapuri subdivision of Delhi in 1975. The same year, she became the first woman to lead the all-male contingent of the Delhi Police at the Republic Day Parade 1975

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Kiran Bedi with her parents

Bedi was born in a Punjabi family to parents Prakash Lal Peshawaria and Prem Lata Peshawaria. Known by the name ‘Crane Bedi’ for towing Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s car for parking violation, she showed her dedication to her profession.

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Kiran Bedi is an impeccable tennis player

Kiran Bedi started playing tennis at the tender age of nine. In 1964, she played her first tournament outside Amritsar, participating in the national junior lawn tennis championship at Delhi Gymkhana. Between 1965 and 1978, Bedi won several tennis championships.

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Bedi met her husband on the tennis court

Kiran Bedi met her husband Brij Bedi on the tennis courts of Amritsar. Brij, who was nine years older than her, played university-level tennis at the time. On 9 March 1972, the two married at a simple ceremony at the local Shivalaya temple

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Kiran Bedi was the only woman in the 1972 IPS batch of 80 men

On 16 July 1972, Kiran Bedi began her police training at the National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. She was the only woman in a batch of 80 men and became the first woman IPS officer.

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Kiran Bedi was the first woman to be appointed as Head of United Nations Police

In 2003, Kiran Bedi became the first Indian and first woman to be appointed head of the United Nations Police and Police Advisor in the United Nations Department of Peace Operations.

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Kiran Bedi was a part of Arvind Kejriwal's 'Aam Aadmi Party'

Before joining the BJP, Kiran Bedi was highly influenced by Arvind Kejriwal's idea of a 'corruption-free India' and joined his new outfit Aam Aadmi Party. However, post a fallout with the party and its ideology she decided to step back from the party and its key leadership role.

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Kiran Bedi joined the BJP in 2015

Kiran Bedi, an active leader in the 2011 anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2015 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Kiran Bedi was 24th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry

Kiran Bedi also served as the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry from May 28, 2016, to February 16, 2021.