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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.”

Man gets life sentence for killing schoolboy in Kerala

  • PTI
  • May 6, 2025
  • 2 min read


Thiruvananthapuram: A court here on Tuesday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the shocking murder of a 15-year-old schoolboy in Kattakada in this district, in 2023.



The Thiruvananthapuram Additional Sessions Court-VI Judge Vishnu K found the accused, Priyaranjan, guilty of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.



The crime took place on August 30, 2023. Adisekhar, a class 10 student and son of Arun Kumar and Deepa, had just finished playing football with friends at the Bhadrakali Temple ground.



As he was about to ride home on his bicycle, Priyaranjan, who was waiting in a parked car, suddenly drove the car into him at high speed.





Prosecutors said the murder was not an accident.



They told the court that Priyaranjan held a grudge against Adisekhar because the boy had once questioned him for urinating on a temple wall.



The attack was described as a planned and cruel act.



The key evidence included CCTV footage from the scene, 30 witness statements, 43 documents, and 11 physical items.



Witnesses included Adisekhar's friends, who were playing football with him at the time.



One of them said he helped take the injured boy to hospital in the same car used in the attack.



Both the bicycle used by Adisekhar and the Mahindra XUV electric car used in the crime were shown in court. Witnesses identified both correctly.



The defence claimed that there was a technical fault in the car and that the crash was accidental.



But, the court rejected this, accepting the prosecution's argument that the act was intentional and that the vehicle was fully functional.



It was also shown that the accused drove the car after the incident, proving control of the vehicle.



The case was investigated by Kattakkada Circle Inspector Shibu, and the charge sheet was filed by the local police.



Special Public Prosecutor V S Vineeth Kumar and Advocate Tony J Sam appeared for the prosecution.

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