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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.”

Country saw blackouts under Congress rule, now exporting electricity: PM Narendra Modi

  • PTI
  • Apr 14, 2025
  • 3 min read


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said there were blackouts when the Congress was in power before 2014 but India's power production has doubled in the last decade and it is now exporting electricity.


Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of an 800-MW ultra-critical modern thermal power unit at the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant here, the prime minister said Haryana is seeing "double speed" of the BJP's double-engine government.


The thermal power unit, spread across 233 acres and worth around Rs 8,470 crore, is expected to become operational by March 2029. It will significantly boost Haryana's energy self-sufficiency and provide uninterrupted power supply across the state.


Taking forward the vision of 'Gobardhan' (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan), Modi also laid the foundation stone of a compressed biogas plant in Mukarabpur here.


The plant, slated for completion by 2027, will have an annual production capacity of 2,600 metric tonnes and will help in effective organic waste management while contributing to clean energy production and environmental conservation, a statement said.


Modi also digitally inaugurated the 14.4-km Rewari Bypass project, worth around Rs 1,070 crore under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. It will decongest Rewari City, reduce Delhi-Narnaul travel time by an hour, and boost economic activity in the region.


Before reaching Yamunanagar, Modi addressed a public gathering in Hisar after he flagged off a commercial flight from Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Hisar to Ayodhya and also laid the foundation stone of the new terminal building at the airport.


Addressing a gathering in Yamunanagar, Modi said there were blackouts when the Congress was in power before 2014 but India's power production has doubled in the last decade and it is now exporting electricity.


Extending greetings to countrymen on B R Ambedkar's birth anniversary, Modi said his government is guided by Baba Saheb's vision, which, he said, "is showing direction to us in the journey of Viksit Bharat".


He said Yamunanagar is not just a city, but also an important part of the country's industrial map. From plywood to brass to steel, this entire region gives strength to the country's economy, he said.


He recalled having frequently travelled to Yamunanagar as party in-charge in Haryana in the 1990s.


For the third term in a row, Haryana is witnessing the "double speed" of the double-engine government. And, pointing towards Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Modi said "Now Saini is saying triple engine government (in reference to BJP ruled government at the Centre, in Haryana and BJP also recently winning the civic polls in the state)".


'Viksit Haryana' is our resolve for 'Viksit Bharat', said Modi. To realise this, to serve the people of Haryana, to fulfil the dreams of the youth here, we keep working with greater speed and on a bigger scale, he said.


The developmental schemes started here today are a living example of this. I am proud that our government is working by taking forward the ideas of Dr Ambedkar, he said.


Baba Saheb described the development of industries as the path to social justice, said the prime minister, while adding that he had understood the problems of small landholders.


Ambedkar used to say Dalits do not have adequate land holdings for farming and he felt that Dalits would benefit most by the industry, he said.


It was Baba Saheb's vision that Dalits will get more employment from the industry which will raise their living standards, he said.


Modi said Sir Chhotu Ram, who was considered a messiah of the farmers, used to say prosperity in villages will come when farmers along with doing farming will increase their income through small enterprises.


About Chaudhary Charan Singh, Modi said his thinking was also no different. He used to say that industrial development should complement agriculture, he said.


Both (industry and agriculture) are pillars of our economy, said Modi. This is the spirit of Make in India, idea and inspiration. Our government is giving a lot of thrust in manufacturing, he said.


In this year's budget, we announced "Mission Manufacturing" whose aim is Dalits, downtrodden, deprived sections, youths get maximum employment, he said.

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