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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Healing Beyond the Clinic

Dr Kirti Samudra “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” This thought by Mother Teresa finds reflection in the life of Panvel-based diabetologist Dr Kirti Samudra, who has spent decades caring not only for her family but also thousands of patients who see her as their guide. As we mark International Women’s Day, stories like hers remind us that women of substance often shape society quietly through compassion, resilience and dedication. Doctor, mother, homemaker,...

Healing Beyond the Clinic

Dr Kirti Samudra “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” This thought by Mother Teresa finds reflection in the life of Panvel-based diabetologist Dr Kirti Samudra, who has spent decades caring not only for her family but also thousands of patients who see her as their guide. As we mark International Women’s Day, stories like hers remind us that women of substance often shape society quietly through compassion, resilience and dedication. Doctor, mother, homemaker, mentor and philanthropist — Dr Samudra has balanced many roles with commitment. While she manages a busy medical practice, her deeper calling has always been service. For her, medicine is not merely a profession but a responsibility towards the people who depend on her guidance. Nagpur to Panvel Born and raised in Nagpur, Dr Samudra completed her medical education there before moving to Mumbai in search of better opportunities. The early years were challenging. With determination, she and her husband Girish Samudra, an entrepreneur involved in underwater pipeline projects, chose to build their life in Panvel. At a time when the town was still developing and healthcare awareness was limited, she decided to make it both her workplace and home. What began with modest resources gradually grew into a trusted medical practice built on long-standing relationships with patients. Fighting Diabetes Recognising the growing threat of diabetes, Dr Samudra dedicated her career to treating and educating patients about the disease. Over the years, she has registered nearly 30,000 patients from Panvel and nearby areas. Yet she believes treatment alone is not enough. “Diabetes is a lifelong disease. Medicines are important, but patient education is equally critical. If people understand the condition, they can manage it better and prevent complications,” she says. For more than 27 years, she has organised an Annual Patients’ Education Programme, offering diagnostic tests at concessional rates and sessions on lifestyle management. Family, Practice With her husband frequently travelling for business, much of the responsibility of raising their two children fell on Dr Samudra. Instead of expanding her practice aggressively, she kept it close to home and adjusted her OPD timings around her children’s schedules. “It was not easy,” she recalls, “but I wanted to fulfil my responsibilities as a mother while continuing to serve my patients.” Beyond Medicine Today, Dr Samudra also devotes time to social initiatives through the Bharat Vikas Parishad, where she serves as Regional Head. Her projects include  Plastic Mukta Vasundhara , which promotes reduced use of single-use plastic, and  Sainik Ho Tumchyasathi , an initiative that sends Diwali  faral  (snack hamper) to Indian soldiers posted at the borders. Last year alone, 15,000 boxes were sent to troops. Despite decades of service, she measures success not in wealth but in goodwill. “I may not have earned huge money,” she says, “but I have earned immense love and respect from my patients. That is something I will always be grateful for.”

Army chief reviews J&K security after Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26



NEW DELHI: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday reviewed the security situation and ongoing ground operations in Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, most of them tourists.


General Dwivedi joined senior Army commanders for a security review meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. According to sources, the L-G said those behind the Pahalgam attack must be hunted down and made to pay a heavy price for the brutal act.


Sinha directed the Army Chief to ensure not only that the attackers are brought to justice, but also that operations to dismantle the terror infrastructure and its support system are intensified.


He added that the nation has complete trust in the bravery of the Army, police, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and urged them to work together closely to identify and eliminate the perpetrators, enablers, and overground workers (OGWs) involved in the attack.


“Every person behind or supporting the Pahalgam terror attack, no matter where they are or who they are linked to, must be found and held accountable for this cowardly and brutal crime against our people,” Sinha told the Army leadership.


After arriving in Srinagar, General Dwivedi visited Awantipora, the base of the Counter Insurgency Force—Victor, where he was briefed on operations following the attack, a source said. He then moved to the 15 Corps headquarters at Badami Bagh Cantonment and met Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, the Corps Commander.


The Army Chief was updated on the actions being taken to stop terrorist activity and respond to ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC). Top officers, including the Director General of J&K Police and other senior officials, discussed the current situation and future plans.


General Dwivedi also briefed L-G Sinha at Raj Bhawan, along with Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, GOC-in-C Northern Command, Deputy Army Chief Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, and Lt Gen Srivastava.


On the night before the Army Chief’s visit, there was heavy firing along the LoC. “Around 600 rounds were fired from the Pakistan side at Tutmari Gali in Kupwara. In response, the Indian Army fired about 1300 rounds,” an officer said. “Pakistan troops fired from multiple points along the LoC,” he added.

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