IN LOUD, cacophonic Delhi, 1,265 people remained silent for 10 days.  And they were police personnel who volunteered to remain silent and meditate.

 As they broke their silence today, they spoke of peace, humanity and integrity.  Topics that seem unfamiliar especially when spoken of by beat policemen who are generally associated with rude behavior and a callous attitude.  But this is the face of the new policeman, Joint Commissioner of Police (Training) Kiran Bedi explains while talking about the 17^th Vipassana course at the Police Training College which was undertaken by constable recruits who will start walking their beats six months from now.

 Harinder Singh Bisht from Platoon 42 believes that Vipassana is all about knowing one’s inner self.  “Only when we know our real self, will we be able to be able to give justice to people,” he says, his voice hoarse and cracking.

 “It’s all about perseverance, will power and self-confidence.  About learning never to lie, hurt anyone with our words or be dishonest,” says Usha from Platoon 2.

 Kalua Ram is from Rajasthan who has been training to be a constable.  He hadn’t heard of Vipassana till he entered PTC.  “At first I thought it would be a nice place to relax after undergoing the daily physical training session.  When I realized I would have to be quite for 10 days, I wondered what I had got myself into.   But now, I am glad because it has changed me.  Now, when I start working, I know that I will not feel anger,”  he says. As the constable rise from the blue cushions they have made for themselves and head for some lunch and rest before another session of meditation. JCP Bedi talks of the changes she believes will take place in the force.
The officials who are taking this course are the real foot soldiers who come in the contact with people everyday," says adding, If every station house officer takes the Vipassana training course before taking on the post of the SHO, I can assure you that corruption will come down by 75 per cent."
Even as Dr. Bedi calls this Vipassana course as the biggest in the world and one which is "creating history," she also talks of "working towards sensitizing police officials in totality."
She tries to assure Delhiites and says," This is our way of telling the general public that all is not lost and that we are restoring honesty, sanity, humanity and integrity into the force. this is a programme of restoration."

Dr Bedi says that excluding the present batch, to date 3,200 police officials have undertaken the course, adding, "officials have told me that their colleagues after undergoing the course have changed totally and never get angry and keep telling others not to lose their temper."

She also talks of a police official who "now knows not just shooting a gun, but when not to shoot a gun. Of arresting people, not because a VIP asked him to do so or because the man didn't give him money, but because he was in the wrong."

Outside the tent, specially erected to house the batch of Vipassana students, there is a queue as one recruits buy books on meditation. Is this just a one-off exercise or will the students continue this throughout their lives?

JCP Bedi answers: "We have planted the seed and it has to be nurtured. We will tell them how to continue with Vipassana even after they start working,: adding, "Besides, every time you come across a smiling policeman, you know he has done Vipassana.

(This was reported in Indian Express, November 29, 2001)