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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.”

Elections and the Constitution: A Voter’s Guide

Part 1: The Constitutional Foundations of India’s Election System

Part 15 of the Constitution of India contains detailed provisions regarding elections. Articles 324 to 329 contain provisions regarding elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Article 324 (1) vests all powers for the preparation of electoral rolls for the elections to both Houses of Parliament, both Houses of State Legislature, the President and the Vice-President, and for conducting such elections in the Central Election Commission.


Under Article 324(2), the Commission consists of a Chief Election Commissioner and such other Election Commissioners as may be appointed. Parliament has the authority to make laws governing these appointments. In exercise of this power, it enacted the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Tenure) Act, 2023.


Earlier, in the case of Anup Baranwal v. Union of India, the Supreme Court directed the formation of a committee to select election commissioners. The committee comprised the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. Following this verdict, the Central Government enacted the 2023 law under Articles 324(2) and (5).


According to this act, a three-member selection committee was constituted. It includes the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the President appoints the Election Commissioners.


It is important to note that from 1950 until 2023, there was no law on the appointment of election commissioners. During this long period, the Chief Election Commissioner and other Commissioners were appointed at the discretion of the Central Government of the day.


According to Article 324(5), the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only through impeachment. This may be done in exceptional circumstances and follows the same procedure and grounds as the removal of Supreme Court judges. The provision is intended to ensure the Chief Election Commissioner can perform duties independently. The same article also states that the other election commissioners cannot be removed except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.


Article 324(6) places the responsibility of providing staff for the Election Commission’s work on the President and the Governor. The Commission has no permanent staff of its own and relies on employees from the Central and State Governments during elections.


Article 325 stipulates that each constituency must have an electoral roll and that no one shall be excluded from registration on the grounds of religion, caste, creed, or sex.


Article 326 establishes the principle of adult suffrage. Every Indian citizen aged 18 years or above is entitled to vote in elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, provided their name appears on the electoral roll. Parliament has the power to legislate on this subject.


Articles 327 and 328 empower Parliament and the State Legislature, respectively, to make laws governing elections to their Houses. These primarily deal with the preparation of electoral rolls, delimitation of constituencies, and related matters.


Article 329(a) provides that the validity of any law relating to the delimitation of constituencies cannot be challenged in any court. This is the only such provision in the Constitution that reflects the independence of the Election Commission. Although judicial review is part of the Constitution’s basic structure, the framers deliberately kept the courts away from this process.


Article 329(b) states that elections to Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies can be questioned only through an election petition, and not by any other means. Parliament has been empowered to legislate. Under Section 80A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, such petitions may be filed only before the High Court of the concerned state. This section came into effect on 14 December 1966.


The Constitution, therefore, lays down detailed provisions relating to the Election Commission, the Chief Election Commissioner, the electoral rolls, and the laws governing them.

 

(The writer is an author and digital journalism teacher. Views personal.)

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