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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.”

From Cable TV to OTT: Journey of Freedom and Controversy

Cable TV to OTT

The Indian entertainment landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last few decades, moving from the simple, censored broadcasts of Doordarshan in the 1980s to the unregulated content explosion on over-the-top (OTT) platforms today. While this shift has brought global content into Indian homes, it has also sparked debates about regulation, cultural influence, and content control.


The journey began in October 1992 when India saw the launch of Zee TV, the country's first privately-owned cable channel. This was followed by the launch of the Asia Television Network (ATN). These channels marked the beginning of India's foray into private television broadcasting. A few years later, global networks like CNN, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic entered the Indian market, providing viewers with a broader range of content.


This era represented a significant departure from the limited and heavily censored programming offered by Doordarshan. Private television opened the floodgates for content driven by Western cultural influences, creating a shift in the way Indian audiences consumed entertainment.


The Rise of OTT Platforms

The next major disruption came in 2008 with the launch of BIGFlix by Reliance Entertainment, marking India's entry into the world of OTT platforms. This was followed by the launch of the nexGTv app by Digivive in 2010, which allowed users to access live TV and on-demand content on mobile phones. Notably, nexGTv became the first platform to live-stream Indian Premier League (IPL) matches on smartphones during 2013 and 2014, further cementing the popularity of OTT services in the country.


The arrival of Hotstar and Netflix shortly thereafter changed the entertainment landscape entirely. Indian audiences could now watch content from around the globe, at any time, and on any device. This newfound freedom came with its own challenges, as OTT platforms operated without the stringent censorship typically imposed on television content.


Ruling on OTT Regulation

As OTT platforms gained popularity, concerns over content regulation emerged. On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the establishment of an autonomous body to monitor and filter content on OTT platforms.


The bench, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, ruled that the regulation of such platforms was a policy matter for the executive branch, requiring extensive consultation with various stakeholders.


The court’s ruling highlights a growing debate in India about content control and the responsibilities of OTT platforms. While some advocate for creative freedom, others argue for the need to regulate explicit content, especially to protect minors.


Controversies over OTT

The unregulated nature of OTT platforms has led to controversies, such as the case against Balaji Telefilms, its founder Ektaa R Kapoor, and her mother, Shobha Kapoor.


The Mumbai Police have registered a case under Sections 295-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Information Technology (IT) Act, and Sections 13 and 15 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The charges relate to the Alt Balaji series Gandi Baat, which is accused of using minors for pornographic purposes.


The Debate Over Content

Reflecting on the past, there is a stark contrast between the decency and censorship of Doordarshan in the 1980s and the wide-open world of OTT content today. With the rise of private networks, Western cultural influences began seeping into Indian entertainment, and this trend has only intensified with the rise of OTT platforms. Today, anyone with a smartphone can access a vast ocean of content, often without restrictions on what they can watch.


However, this freedom comes with a dilemma. While nobody is advocating for strict censorship or dictating what people should or should not watch, the question remains: Who is responsible for regulating this content? Is it the government’s role to intervene, or should it be left to individuals to decide what is appropriate for themselves and their families?


There is no doubt that OTT platforms provide valuable and diverse content, ranging from informative documentaries to well-crafted films and series. Yet, alongside these high-quality productions, there is a significant amount of sexually explicit content, which is more common in Western media but now prevalent on Indian OTT platforms.


The Path Forward

So, what is the solution? The responsibility for regulating OTT content cannot lie solely with the government, nor can it be completely left in the hands of viewers. Content creators and OTT platform owners also need to take responsibility for what they are producing and promoting. It is essential to strike a balance between creative freedom and ethical responsibility.


The debate over content regulation is similar to the one surrounding cigarette advertising.


Until a comprehensive policy is developed and implemented, it is up to the viewers to decide how deep they want to dive into the OTT sea. The power of choice is in their hands, but so is the responsibility.


(The author is a communication professional. Views personal.)

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