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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.”

Jarange gets a day’s extension

Says "won’t leave, ready to go to jail, face bullets."

Pic: Bhushan Koyande
Pic: Bhushan Koyande

Mumbai: Even after he got a day’s extension to continue his fast unto-death agitation at the Azad Maidan, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Friday made it clear that his ‘final battle’ for Maratha reservation from OBC quota shall continue.


While speaking to media in the evening, Jarange-Patil accused the state government of misleading people and pitching one community against the other. “They say we are asking for reservation from within the OBC quota means we are asking for their reservation. But we have shown them the gazettes that have entries of Marathas as Kunbis. That means reservation is the right of the Maratha community and not of the OBCs. They got the quota in 1989, whereas we had it since more than 150 years ago, during the British Raj,” Jarange-Patil said.


While reiterating his stand which he made clear earlier in the day, Jarange-Patil said, “I am ready to face bullets…I am ready to go to jail. Come what may…I am not going to back out.” He launched the fast-unto-death at 10 am in the morning amid roaring support from thousands of his supporters who donned saffron caps and scarfs.


Mumbai nearly chocked as more than 2,500 vehicles carrying hundreds of supporters of Jarange-Patil entered Mumbai on Thursday. The numbers swelled further on Friday and Jarange-Patil said the numbers shall escalate as more people from all across Maharashtra are expected to join in the protests over the weekend.


Mumbai police had earlier given permission for the agitation up to 6 pm on Friday. After an application moved by the activists, the police extended the permission up to Saturday evening. They requested Jarange-Patil to ensure conditions like no parking on streets are followed by activists participating in the agitation. Jarange-Patil criticised the state government for the conditional permission for a day. He also said that there was no communication from the state government regarding any negotiation.


Won’t buckle: CM

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, made it clear that while the state government is committed to the socio-economic upliftment of Marathas, it cannot buckle to political pressure on unreasonable demands that would lead to doing injustice to the OBCs.


While reiterating that reservation for Marathas under OBC was irrational, Fadnavis said, “We have to understand that OBCs constitute 350 communities. We cannot dilute their reservation.” The government has already given a 10 per cent separate quota for Marathas.


Leader of opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve met Jarange-Patil at Azad Maidan. Several other MLAs and MPs too met Jarange-Patil at the agitation site.


Instead of playing these games of giving one-day extension, announce reservations, and the poor Marathas will bless you forever. You have the opportunity to win hearts of the poor Marathas. If you take time to take a decision, more Marathas will come to Mumbai.

Manoj Jarange

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