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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.”

India, France seal ₹63,000-crore Rafale-M deal to boost Navy's air power



NEW DELHI: India and France have officially concluded the much-awaited ₹63,000-crore (USD 7.4 billion) agreement for 26 Rafale-Marine (M) fighter jets, aimed at significantly strengthening the Indian Navy’s maritime combat strength.


Although the deal was initially supposed to be signed during French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s visit to New Delhi, it was finalised remotely due to the postponement of his trip for personal reasons.


The signing took place in the presence of Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and French Ambassador Dr Thierry Mathou as a government-to-government (G2G) agreement, which had already been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) earlier this month.


Senior officials from the Navy, Ministry of Defence (MoD), French Navy, Dassault Aviation, and MBDA were also present during the signing ceremony.

In a G2G deal, defence procurement is made through direct negotiation between the governments of the importing and exporting countries.


The Rafale-M jets for the Indian Navy are designed to take off from ski-jump ramps on aircraft carriers. Both INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya use the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) mechanism for their fighters.


The order includes 22 single-seat fighter jets and four twin-seat trainer aircraft. These carrier-capable Rafale-M jets will be stationed on INS Vikrant, the Navy’s first indigenously-built aircraft carrier.


The Navy is acquiring the Rafale-Ms as a short-term solution to replace its ageing fleet of Russian-made MiG-29K fighters, which have been facing operational issues. In the long term, the Navy plans to deploy the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), which is still under development.

Designed for tough naval missions, Rafale-M jets have reinforced undercarriages and are compatible with the Navy’s STOBAR system. Their ability to operate far from the coastline will provide India with a significant strategic advantage in the region.

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