Audacity of optimism

Kiran Bedi’s latest book Fearless Governance is a master-class on value creation

By Ajayya Kumar

Kiran Bedi begins her book, Fearless Governance, with a sincere admission that struck a chord with me the moment I ran my eyes over it. “I never allowed anything imposed on me,” she writes. “My upbringing was towards self-reliance and self-dependence with a spirit of giving and sharing.” I may sound exaggerating, but let me state with utmost humility here that this line looked like a straight lift from my life. To read (hear) these words, in this order, from one of my childhood heroes was a happy endorsement of the values and principles upon which I have built my life and work.

Dr Bedi continues her introduction thus: “My father taught me the art of self-learning. My mother imbibed in me personal discipline with selflessness in action. I always asked myself how I could do more for others.” I feel so indebted to Ms Bedi for penning these lines. In fact, this is the story of most Indians like me who were groomed by their beloved families, their dear fathers and mothers who painstakingly inculcated in them great virtues that made them better humans in general and (better) givers and doers in particular.?

This ‘personal connect’ is one of the many reasons that make Fearless Governance a very special book for Indians. It is a masterclass on value creation. Evidently, the book is going to stay in the minds of those who read (I’d say those who experience) for a long time, leaving an imprint that can potentially alter the way they work, interact with their families and their individual selves.?

For starters, this is a book that charts out the personal and professional journey of Kiran Bedi, who without doubt is one of the most important leaders India produced in its recent history. In a way, this book is a fitting sequel to Kiran Bedi’s life story, I Dare, which continues to enjoy a cult status among Indian readers. But Fearless Governance has a wider canvas. It is spread in some eight sections and about 380 pages. It talks about her political career, especially her stint as the Governor of Puducherry, and more.

I felt it is more philosophically enriching than Kiran Bedi’s other works. Sample this: “Public representatives need to stay true to their aspirations and not misguide,” she writes, explaining the rationale behind some of the interesting initiatives she carried out in Puducherry. The book is sprinkled with such pragmatic pearls of wisdom.??Her eye for details will impress us, along with her knack for finding value in the most insignificant events, actions and even people.?

In this book, Kiran Bedi appears as a true leader. A 360-degree leader. She is vulnerable, she is stable, she is steady, she is swaying, she is caring, she is strict and above all she is doing what’s right, making sure righteousness prevails. I am going to re-read this many times in the months and years to come, just for the sheer audacity of optimism in it. After all, that’s what Fearless Governance is all about.?

Kiran Bedi

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