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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.”

Mumbai’s Demolished Kingdom

Updated: Nov 15, 2024

Milind Deora

Earlier this year, January sprang a surprise in political circles when Milind Deora, a former Congress Member of Parliament bid adieu to the party to join Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. The ideologies were in sharp contrast and for the sauve South Mumbai-bred Milind, the Shiv Sena’s rough and tough politics seemed like a striking departure from his career graph.


The relationship between the Deoras and Gandhis has been legendary with Murli Deora known for his close relationship with former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and his wife Sonia. He joined the Congress in 1968 and then presided over the Mumbai party for 22 years. Hailing from a Marwari family with close connections with the business world, Murli was the bridge between the Congress and the captains of the industry. He enjoyed a good rapport with heads of states from different parts of the world and used his diplomacy to attract investment. He was also known to raise funds for the Congress through the business houses that he maintained warm relations with, making him a key asset for his party.


Murli bhai, as he was known in Mumbai and in the party, began his political career as a corporator and then became a mayor in 1977 with support from Bal Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. He led the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee for two decades and effectively strengthened the party in Mumbai. Being elected from the same constituency for seven terms is no mean feat and is a reflection of his popularity in the South Mumbai which he represented in Parliament. He won widespread recognition when, through his efforts, the Supreme Court banned smoking in public places in 2001.


His son Milind entered electoral politics as a Member of Parliament in 2009 and the father-son duo were part of the Manmohan Singh-led government. The senior Deora was the minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas for a long time while his son was a junior minister for shipping. Milind’s brother Mukul, however, has stayed away from politics and is a musician and a film producer.


A three-term Member of Parliament, Milind was once known to be close friends with Rahul Gandhi but relations between the two families seem to have soured with Milind quitting the party. Now a Rajya Sabha MP, he was tasked with managing the Congress’ election campaign for Worli during this year’s Lok Sabha polls. As the two sections of the Shiv Sena fight each other in Worli, Milind is pitted against incumbent MLA Aditya Thackeray. The contest in Worli will see the heirs of two prominent political families fight to win this constituency.

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