Date:27/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/27/stories/2007102763360300.htm

New Delhi

Students can make Delhi crime-free: Kiran Bedi

Staff Reporter

Anti-sexual harassment cell at DU inaugurated

NEW DELHI: If all the students recognise their social responsibilities, they can help in making Delhi a “crime-free” city -- this was the message conveyed to Delhi University students by “Super Cop” Kiran Bedi here on Friday.

Inaugurating an anti-sexual harassment cell, a free legal-aid cell and a researchers’ committee set up by the Delhi University Students’ Union, Ms. Bedi said: “Students should be ready to take on added responsibilities. The process of character building and leadership training takes place only during college days.”

Recalling the time spent at her college in Chandigarh while doing her Masters in Political Science, the fiery officer said: “I was very active during my college days. I studied law at DU when I was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) in 1986. I am very happy to see this new initiative and enthusiasm among students. ”

“The youth of the city must unite,” said Ms. Bedi, adding, “The onus is on you to make Delhi a safe, disciplined and well-behaved city.” “During the Asian Games in 1982, when I was the DCP (Traffic), we were facing a shortage of traffic personnel. So we roped in cadets from National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme and specially trained them for managing traffic. That’s the time that I was nicknamed Crane Bedi,” she said in a lighter vein.

She urged the DUSU office-bearers to set up separate committees for the Commonwealth Games, traffic management and crime prevention.

The anti-sexual harassment cell will tie up with Hindustan Socialist Republican Academy to conduct a self-defence training camp for girls at Khalsa College beginning November 1.