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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.”

MNS’s Worli gambit: Family feud, political opportunity

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

MNS

Mumbai: The biggest political battle is going to be fought in the Worli Assembly constituency in this election. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has asked his party workers to ensure that its candidate Sandeep Deshpande defeats his nephew and Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee Aaditya Thackeray at any cost.


“Aapan Worli Jinkalich Pahije (We must win Worli),” Raj reportedly told the MNS workers soon after his nominated Deshpande for the high-profile seat.


There may be a family rift or a calculated political risk behind Raj’s Worli gambit. This move will definitely intensify the family feud but if the MNS could win this battle that will give the party a much-desired fillip ahead of the municipal elections.


According to sources, Thackeray had directed his sainiks to do a survey of Worli constituents and understand the problems faced by locals. However, for the past three months, the MNS has been actively engaging with the local community in Worli through a series of dialogue programs.


“Sandeep Deshpande has been actively campaigning since June, noting down the concerns of the residents to address them, is most likely to remain the face of the party in Worli against Aaditya Thackeray. Following which he was being nominated by MNS chief, Raj Thackeray,” said a source.


Worli is a hub of several business, along with the costliest properties and several tenements (chawls) in dilapidated condition. A section of the voters believes that Aaditya’s ‘vision’ for developing Worli could be his biggest plus point.


Deshpande pointed that people living in these dilapidated chawls are awaiting redevelopment. “These are Bombay Development Department [BDD] chawls and police colonies. There are slum rehabilitation projects on hold, several redeveloped buildings are yet to provide monthly rentals to residents. Aaditya Thackeray has not visited the residents in the last five years and is not easily accessible to people,” he said.


In the Lok Sabha election held in May, the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Arvind Sawant had secured a margin of 6,715 votes in Worli Assembly segment. The MNS sees this as a great opportunity to make inroads in the constituency.


“In 2017 municipal corporation polls, MNS secured around 30,000 votes from Worli. This is a good reminder that we have dedicated to MNS in this constituency,” Deshpande said.

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