Kiran Bedi helps Delhi govt-run juvenile home

NEW DELHI: Brushing aside ideological differences, BJP member Kiran Bedi is helping a Delhi government-run correction facility in North Delhi reform juveniles lodged there.

According to a senior Delhi government official, the former IPS officer visited the facility at Mukherjee Nagar last month and gave suggestions to improve its functioning. However, the official said, Bedi was helping indirectly and had not entered any contract with the government.

She runs her own NGO, and has introduced education programmes and Yoga sessions. She has suggested that similar exercises be started for the boys to help them become calmer, the official said.

“We have started Yoga sessions in the homes and children are participating wholeheartedly. We are planning to extend this programme,” said a senior Delhi government official.

Bedi may visit the home again on July 29 to motivate the inmates.

“She interacted with the children who felt motivated after talking to her. They were so happy with her visit that they also requested us to invite her again. They also felt confident that they can lead a better life after listening to her stories,” said the official.

“Rather than calling it an observation home, she suggested using the term Aadharshila Kishore Ashram so that children who come here don’t see themselves as criminals. She has also assured us of donating school textbooks for our library,” he said.

“Engaging people with rich experience is important. Interns from different universities also become helpful in working out activities for behavioral correction and mental edification,” said superintendent Premoday Khakha.