Latest news with #KiranBedi
News18
14-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Purpose Over Popularity': Kiran Bedi Cautions Bureaucrats On Social Media Glorification
Last Updated: Speaking to CNN-News18, Kiran Bedi shares her insights, highlighting the underlying responsibilities and potential pitfalls for officers in this digital age. In an era dominated by social media, the trend of All India Services (AIS) officers actively promoting themselves on platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube is becoming increasingly prevalent. Last month, a high-level meeting raised urgent concerns about AIS officers misusing social media for self-promotion, needing immediate redressal. Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Kiran Bedi, first woman IPS officer, shares her insights, highlighting the underlying responsibilities and potential pitfalls for officers in this digital age. Bedi emphasises the need for AIS officers to prioritise responsibility, restraint, and the larger societal good over personal gain. She discusses the importance of maintaining the values of neutrality, humility, and institutional loyalty, especially in the context of social media. She also addresses the current inadequacies of service rules in managing the complexities of digital engagement and offers recommendations for ensuring that officers' online presence aligns with their constitutional mandate. Q: What is your view on the increasing trend of AIS officers actively promoting themselves on platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube? Kiran Bedi: In today's world, self-promotion is almost inevitable. We live in a time of heightened visibility, intense competition, and a pervasive fear of missing out (FOMO). However, once we enter public service—particularly the All India Services—our role shifts from self to society. Public service demands responsibility, restraint, and a deeper understanding of our purpose. The focus must be on causes, not individuals. This is a realization that must come from within. Officers who cross red lines may not see the immediate consequences, but over time, it can erode credibility and hurt them professionally. Ultimately, it's a personal choice, but one that carries long-term implications. Kiran Bedi: Social media may be deleted, but it is never erased. That's a crucial point to internalize. The values of neutrality, humility, and institutional loyalty are central to public service. Training and reflection at various stages of one's career can reinforce these values. Officers must constantly introspect: Are they upholding the dignity of their office, or are they diluting it for personal image-building? Q: How does excessive social media use potentially affect the discipline, efficiency, and impartiality expected from AIS officers? Kiran Bedi: There must be a clear distinction between purpose and promotion, cause and ego. Restraint, caution, and integrity are non-negotiable. Officers must be mindful of the intent behind their posts. If the intention is noble, the message can stand on its own merit. But if it is driven by self-interest, it quickly becomes unethical and irresponsible. The system relies on impartiality and discipline, both of which can be compromised by reckless digital behaviour. Q: Have current service rules and association guidelines (e.g., AIS Conduct Rules) proven adequate in addressing this issue? Kiran Bedi: The existing rules are outdated and not fully aligned with the complexities of today's digitally connected public sphere. They require a reset. Public service now involves not just governance but communication and collaboration with citizens. There's a thin line between the 'right to know" and responsible public engagement. The rules must evolve to recognize this shift—while reinforcing maturity, discretion, and institutional decorum. Kiran Bedi: All digital engagement must be linked to a cause and the larger goal of public welfare. The priority is to earn and maintain the public's trust. Messaging should instil hope, create understanding, and demonstrate accountability. Officers must use digital platforms to educate, empower, and address grievances—not to seek applause. The communication must serve the people, not the ego. Q: Do you believe social media is being misused to build a public image for political, commercial, or career benefits, and if so, how should this be curbed? Kiran Bedi: Yes, especially when posts are sponsored or designed to build a brand around an officer. Paid promotion is transactional—and the public sees through it. It often backfires and ends up being a waste of credibility and public money. Restraint in spending and credibility in communication are key. Officers should ask: Is this message informative? Or is it marketing without substance? If it's the latter, it violates the spirit of public service. Q: How can young officers be encouraged to use digital platforms constructively—for public awareness, transparency, and grievance redressal—without falling into self-glorification? Kiran Bedi: By grounding themselves in their core values: responsibility, humility, and empathy. If young officers stay true to their conscience and remain committed to public service, their communication will naturally reflect purpose over pride. Their role is transformational, not transactional—even in a system where job security and visibility can tempt them towards self-promotion. A sense of purpose, not popularity, must guide their digital presence. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : kiran bedi social media view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 14, 2025, 10:23 IST News india 'Purpose Over Popularity': Kiran Bedi Cautions Bureaucrats On Social Media Glorification | Interview Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
United News of India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- United News of India
Celebrities rally ahead of International Day of Yoga 2025
New Delhi, June 10 (UNI) As India gears up to celebrate International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2025, a diverse array of influential personalities — from politicians and retired bureaucrats to celebrated actors and motivational speakers — are championing yoga's vital role in everyday life. Former Puducherry Governor and IPS officer Dr Kiran Bedi eloquently described yoga as 'another word for self-care and social care,' inspiring the youth to reconnect with India's profound wellness legacy. Acclaimed actor Anupam Kher urged everyone through a heartfelt video message to 'Celebrate the D Day,' while veteran star Anil Kapoor took to social media platform 'X' to declare, 'Yoga inspires, heals, and unites. Let's embrace a healthier today and tomorrow through the spirit of Yoga Mahotsav.' Wrestler and motivational speaker Sangram Singh emphasised yoga as a powerful union of body, mind, and spirit that alleviates stress and anxiety by reconnecting us to nature. Cultural icons also shared their heartfelt reflections: singer Kailash Kher celebrated yoga's global acclaim as India's timeless gift, and legendary classical dancer Sonal Mansingh hailed it as a lifelong journey towards spiritual enlightenment, said a statement from the Union Ayush Ministry. Actor Manoj Joshi encouraged integrating yoga and Ayurvedic wisdom into today's fast-paced lives for enhanced physical and mental well-being. Fitness icon Shilpa Shetty echoed this call on 'X,' stating, 'Yoga nurtures harmony — within and all around us' while popular actress Rakul Preet Singh added on Instagram, 'From ancient India to the global stage, yoga continues to inspire, heal, and unite.' Adding momentum to the movement, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) has announced large-scale yoga events to mark IDY-2025. Payal Swami, Assistant Secretary General of FHRAI, expressed the association's commitment to the government's vision of a healthier, greener, and more mindful society. 'Through these collaborative efforts, FHRAI aims to amplify yoga as a way of life—deeply rooted in Indian tradition yet universally relevant in today's world.' These influential voices have reignited nationwide enthusiasm for yoga ahead of June 21, inspiring millions — especially younger, digital-savvy audiences — to embrace yoga not merely as exercise but as a holistic lifestyle. An official from the Union Ayush Ministry said this collective outreach is fueling excitement as India celebrates a decade of the International Day of Yoga, reaffirming yoga as a vibrant celebration of life, balance, and well-being. So far this year, over 50,000 organizations nationwide have registered to host Yoga Sangam events on the D-Day, setting a new record for collective participation. Leading the charge is Rajasthan, with more than 11,000 organizations signing up, followed by Telangana with over 7,000 registrations, and Madhya Pradesh close behind with nearly 5,000. The theme for 2025, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' resonates as a powerful call for global unity and well-being. Prestigious institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and Central Universities, along with numerous corporations and private sector participants, are enthusiastically joining the movement, demonstrating their commitment to promoting wellness on a worldwide scale, said the statement.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
The Hindu wins in content, marketing and green initiatives at Abby Awards 2025
The Hindu Group made an impact at the Abby Awards 2025, securing accolades across multiple categories that recognise excellence in publishing, content creation, and sustainability. The innovative branded content project 'The Interface' by The Hindu won the bronze award under the category 'Best Use of Native or Branded Content for Client Brand-Marketing by a Publisher'. This project, crafted in collaboration with AMD, was a weekly podcast series that delves into the dynamic technological landscape, offering expert insights and diverse perspectives to deepen listeners' understanding of the technology shaping the future. The Hindu executed this project along with ThinkROI. The Group's city campaign 'Made of Chennai' won silver award for 'Best Marketing of a Printed Newspaper/Edition' under the Publisher Abby category. The campaign successfully deepened local engagement, celebrating the spirit, stories, and people of Chennai through print and on-ground activities. In addition, The Hindu's campaign for World Wildlife Day titled 'The Last Pack' earned a merit position under the Green Awards category. The approach was to offer a glimpse into a possible future, one where readers may no longer be able to enjoy their morning coffee, biriyani made with basmati rice, their favourite evening potato chip snack or beat the summer with a sip of mango juice – because someday, it may be their last pack. With key personalities such as Kiran Bedi, former Lieutenant-Governor of Pondicherry; Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Climate Change and Forests, Tamil Nadu; and Arun Krishnamurthy, founder, Environmentalist Foundation of India, talking about the issue, the campaign highlighted the urgent need for wildlife preservation.
Gulf Today
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Kiran Bedi, leading academic lights in Symbiosis of unity and transformation
It was brainstorming at its best on Thursday morning at Taj Business Bay, Dubai, at an event organised by Symbiosis Dubai. Symbiosis Dubai, the international campus of India's prestigious Symbiosis International (Deemed University), had hosted its flagship HR Conclave, The Power of People. The ballroom of the hotel was bubbling with joy as students, faculty members and invited guests, had assembled to listen to India's first woman police officer and former Lt. Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi, filmmaker Kabir Khan and other experts from different walks of life. Bedi spoke on 'The power of one: Uniting people for Transformation,' regaling the audience with her thoughts and inspirational words. Her journey itself is an inspiration for people. She has dared to do what she felt was right throughout her celebrated career. She spoke about her journey of becoming India's first woman police officer to being at the helm of Tihar prison, to discharging her duty as Lt. Governor of Puducherry. She showed through her presentation how she used her position to transform the lives of ordinary people wherever she worked. She concluded: 'This is how a leader can transform society.' Her audio-visual presentation showed how she has touched the minds and hearts of common people through her inclusive style of leadership. Addressing the audience, she said that 'all those who are sitting here in this room have the capacity to transform the society.' She cited the example of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Mother Teresa and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, to narrate how one person could change the course of history. Dr. Bedi has been working tirelessly for the benefit of society. When asked what keeps her going even after all these years, she said: 'It is the growth mindset. You need to give purpose to life. If you continue with a growth mindset, you keep growing — then you look for the areas of growth and then opportunities for growth will keep coming, and you don't reject those opportunities, you take them. It is with the growth mindset you pick up opportunties.' Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor of Symbiosis International University, said: 'Symbiosis Dubai is incredibly proud to be among the top five Indian institutions selected under the India-UAE bilateral education agreement, and the first fully CAA-accredited Indian university to be established under the UAE Ministry of Education in Dubai.' She underlined the vital role of education in bridging nations and cultures and nurturing globally competent citizens. Taking Symbiosis Dubai as an example, Dr. Bedi said that 'students should take full advantage of this facility which has come here. I am very happy; it is now up to them to value it. Indian students who are studying here in Indian schools, instead of going back to India for higher education — here is an opportunity for you.' Talking about the role of corporates in creating leaders for tomorrow, she said: 'They should collaborate and encourage students to become leaders. Groom them for the next level of leadership. If you upskill youth, they are going to come back and work with you. I think you should give them learning experience on the job. That is the role of seniors for juniors. It is like a pipeline of leadership.' Talking about her time at Puducherry, she said: 'I showed you through my presentation how I used power of my position to make a difference in common people's lives. What I did was to use my position; rather than restricting myself, I expanded my work to people — and that's what you saw in my presentation. Symbiosis is one of the top five academic institutions from India to establish a presence in Dubai under the bilateral agreement between the Governments of India and the UAE (alongside IIT, IIM among others). Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, while talking to Gulf Today, said that 'when my father had started Symbiosis in 1971, the education scenario was very different in India. There were limited number of universities in India and they were mostly single discipline institutions like management or law. But now you see the number of institutions have increased in India. We have 1,000 universities and more than 50,000 colleges; so the competition has increased." She added that 'with the new education policy, an education reform has taken place in India. That also encourages us to set up our international campus.' 'In 2020, the new education policy was rolled out by the Indian Government and very select Indian universities were supported by the Indian Government to open their offshore campuses and I am glad that Symbiosis is part of this journey of Indian Government. Along with IIT Delhi (Abu Dhabi), Symbiosis has also set up its campus in Dubai. I am glad IIM Ahmedabad is also coming.' When asked what makes Symbiosis different from other Indian Institutes, she said: 'Our value system in Symbiosis has not changed. So, whether its campuses in different part of India like Pune, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Noida, Delhi or even Dubai, the Symbiosis culture remains the same. This culture rests on a very strong foundation of ethics, honesty, diversity and inclusion. So, with the philosophy of Vasudev Kutumbakam (the whole world is one family), I think Dubai is just the ideal place, since it is a melting pot of many cultures. I think Symbiosis is at the right place at the right time.'
Observer
25-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
ICAI Oman highlights role of women power
KABEER YOUSUF @kabiyousef Dr Kiran Bedi, India's first female IPS (Indian Police Service) officer and former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, delivered the opening speech at the celebration of International Women's Day by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Oman Chapter, paying tribute to the incredible women shaping the world of finance, business and leadership Dr Siham al Harthy, Chairperson of the Tourism Committee at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), was the guest of honour at the engaging and impactful events, aimed at bringing the community together based on an effort to foster creativity and collaboration among children and women. Dr Bedi engaged herself in a vibrant and interactive session with children. She shared her incredible life journey through her graphic novel, making it a fun and engaging learning experience for the young audience. She encouraged children to embrace discipline, resilience and ethical values, inspiring them to adopt positive habits that lead to success. The event, attended by Priti Paras Savla, Central Council Member of ICAI, witnessed an incredible turnout of professionals, members, and esteemed guests, making it a truly remarkable gathering. The celebration concluded with a special Ramadhan Iftar, fostering a spirit of unity, cultural harmony and community bonding. The Chapter has consistently set benchmarks in thought leadership, technical sessions, industry networking and CSR initiatives. With each event, the Chapter continues to reinforce its commitment to professional excellence, community engagement and empowerment. The Chapter remains dedicated to organising enriching initiatives that create a lasting impact on both professional and social fronts.
