Former IPS officer Dr Kiran Bedi urged Tripura’s educational institutions to prioritise experiential learning, grassroots engagement and government internships over excessive AI dependence, calling on students to participate in community service and lead social change while positioning Tripura as a model for Northeast India.
Former IPS officer and former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Dr Kiran Bedi, has called for a major transformation in the education system, emphasising the importance of experiential learning, grassroots engagement and practical exposure over excessive dependence on artificial intelligence (AI). She said Tripura has the potential to emerge as a model for the entire Northeast by actively involving its youth in community development and public service initiatives.
Dr Bedi was delivering the keynote address at the fifth edition of the Tripura Dialogue Forum Talk, organised by the National Law University (NLU), Tripura, at Nazrul Kalakshetra in Agartala on Saturday. During her address, she highlighted that meaningful leadership development requires students to move beyond classrooms and digital platforms and gain firsthand experience by interacting with communities and addressing real-life challenges.
The programme was conducted under the patronage of NLU Tripura Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Yogesh Pratap Singh, while Assistant Professor of Law Dr Debashree Debnath served as the faculty advisor.
One of the major highlights of her speech was her appreciation of NLU Tripura’s initiative to connect law students with legal aid centres functioning at the Panchayat level. Describing the initiative as an effective model of practical education, she said direct exposure to the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens helps students understand governance, legal systems and public administration more meaningfully than theoretical classroom lessons.
Dr Bedi proposed expanding this initiative across Tripura and involving students from various educational institutions, including medical colleges, schools and other universities. She suggested establishing formal partnerships between educational institutions and government departments such as law, finance, public works and police administration to create structured opportunities for student participation.
According to her, internships in government departments would help young people understand administrative responsibilities, governance mechanisms and developmental challenges. Such programmes would also encourage students to develop a stronger sense of civic responsibility while contributing to society.
Addressing the growing influence of artificial intelligence in education, the former IPS officer acknowledged that AI can be a useful technological resource but cautioned against allowing it to replace practical learning. She stressed that technology cannot provide the same understanding and personal experience that students gain through direct interaction with people and communities.
She observed that while AI platforms can generate information and assist with academic activities, they cannot independently participate in village-level internships, provide direct assistance to local communities or experience the complexities of grassroots administration. Such real-world exposure, she said, helps students develop independent thinking, practical wisdom and leadership qualities.
Calling for a nationwide movement to strengthen connections between educational institutions and society, Dr Bedi urged policymakers, educators and administrators to rethink conventional approaches to education. She advocated a system in which every student participates in constructive social activities and contributes to nation-building alongside academic learning.
She further expressed confidence that Tripura could establish itself as a leading example for youth engagement and community development in the Northeast if students across the state actively participated in social initiatives. Promoting volunteerism, public service and social responsibility among young people, she said, would help create a positive transformation in society.
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Concluding her address, Dr Kiran Bedi reiterated that the future of leadership depends on combining knowledge with action rather than relying solely on technological advancements. She encouraged students to step beyond academic boundaries, engage with real-world challenges and contribute directly to community welfare.
Her message highlighted the importance of developing socially responsible, practical-minded and service-oriented young leaders capable of contributing to Tripura’s development and the nation’s future.
