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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.”

Crowds ‘fund & bless’ wedding of farm-girl

Yavatmal: In a rare development, the local community, activists and elected representatives poured love, gifts and financial support for the simple wedding of a 19-year-old girl – who lost her debt-ridden peasant father when she was just a six-month-old infant in 2006.


Last week, when the demure Lakshmi Chincholkar, 19 - attired in her bridal finery – shared the stage with the groom Kunal Waghade, 23, a graduate farmer-cum-trader, there was a shower of blessings and cheers for the young couple by over 2,000 guests in the marquee.


The proud mother, Geeta Chincholkar had tears of joy welling up her eyes as she remembered her late husband, Shravan Chincholkar, who ended his life out of sheer financial difficulties and unpaid loans, 19 years ago.


Like a lighting bolt, Geeta suddenly became a widow aged 17, with the tiny Lakshmi crying in her arms, unable to understand anything as Shravan’s last rites were performed in the Kopamandavi village of Yavatmal.


“The family has undergone a life of struggles… Geeta did odd chores or farm labour to support little Lakshmi and got her educated till Class XII (HSC). Geeta was fortunate to receive an unconditional marriage proposal for Lakshmi from Kunal, and both hail from the same (Suthar) caste,” agriculture activist Kishore Tiwari, who organized the marriage, told ‘The Perfect Voice’.


Though the boy’s side made no demands, the girl’s side wanted to do something memorable for their sole daughter who grew up under trying circumstances, so a public appeal was made for help to conduct the wedding.


Tiwari recalled how, since 1996, an average eight farmers are committing suicide in the state, particularly Vidarbha, but no government has fully succeeded in resolving the agrarian crises gripping Maharashtra.


“Even now, debt-ridden peasants choose the extreme step out of frustration, leaving behind widows and minor kids who have to fend for themselves. This is a unique example of how the entire community showed generosity to support one such widow and her daughter,” said a grim Tiwari.

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