Super 30 founder Anand Kumar releases a book written by former IPS officer Kiran Bedi (second from left) at Patna Book Fair on Monday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Two role models for scores of people in the country came together for the first time at the Patna Book Fair on Monday.

Kiran Bedi has been an inspiration for lakhs of women. As has been mathematician and Super 30 founder Anand Kumar who has moulded the future of several youths over the years. On Monday evening, they were together for the launch of a book written by Bedi, the country’s first woman IPS officer.

This was the first time the two met, Anand later told The Telegraph.

Anand released the book, Bhrashtachar Bharat Chhodo, a 500-page work published by Prabhat Prakashan. Priced at Rs 125, it highlights corruption in day-to-day life.

Bedi spoke on how the book deals with instances of corruption in public life, police and the administrative machinery. “It is ruining our country,” she said, adding: “One of the chapters in the book highlight what type of problems a man faces dealing with the police while lodging a complaint for the theft of his cellphone.”

Urging students who had gathered to listen to them at the book fair, Bedi said: “Corruption in society can be wiped out only if people become literate and elect an honest and caring representative. If they can achieve this, they would not be cheated by politicians.”

Bedi’s fight against corruption is well known. She, along with social activist Anna Hazare, former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and others, launched India Against Corruption a few years ago. Later, though, she parted ways with Kejriwal who decided to form the Aam Aadmi Party with his supporters.

She spoke on her social initiatives such as the work done for emancipation and uplift of people through the non-government organisation Navjyoti India Foundation. The foundation has taken up the cudgels of providing education to children from the economically weaker sections of society.

Anand, praising the former IPS officer, added: “She is a role model for lakhs of people across the country for the way she fought against corruption. It’s a great privilege for me to release her book.”

Sharing his experience of living in abject poverty before succeeding in life and helping youths crack the IIT entrance examination, he added: “I had to sell papads on cycles after the death of my father in the 1990s. But when I was a child, I used to hear from my father how in spite of hurdles, a young IPS officer was fighting against corruption (referring to Bedi).”