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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 Saffron Siblings

Updated: Nov 15, 2024

Saffron Siblings

As the Mumbai BJP president for two terms, groomed by the RSS and a staunch BJP leader, Ashish Shelar would be an unlikely choice for those who don’t fall into the typical saffron-voter category. But Ashish Shelar is an exception. He’s won the confidence of his electorate, people from diverse religions and socio-economic strata. His office in the crowded Bandra Reclamation area sees a steady stream of visitors every day; people cutting across religions and communities, age groups and with varied requests. If someone complains of harassment, a hapless father is there to ask for money for his son’s medical treatment and a young businessman is there to complain against rampant tree cutting in Bandra. Shelar lends each of them a ear, instructing his office to follow up on the demands. For years, this has been Ashish Shelar’s routine, particularly since he first won the legislative assembly elections in 2014 and has continued his winning spree since then. Before that, Shelar has been a member of the legislative council and was also a corporator from Khar who took a keen interest in resolving civic issues.


His constituency is peculiar in the varied demographics—upscale tony neighbourhoods that house leading film stars and business families, fishing villages, slums and middle class homes, each with its varied needs. In 2019, he was made Minister of School Education, Sports and Youth Welfare for a short period in the Devendra Fadnavis government.


Most residents of Bandra West credit him with organising social events and festivals that celebrate music and the arts. His neighbourhood winter festival and the grand Christmas decorations along the sea at Bandra Reclamation have won the attention of people across Mumbai. An avid sports lover, he’s held the position of the President of the Mumbai Cricket Association and also the treasurer of the BCCI.


This time, his older brother Vinod is contesting from Malad West. He’s been a corporator between 2012 and 2017 and while he was overlooked by the party for the legislative assembly elections in 2014, Vinod has been working in the constituency for the past decade. He’s also a spokesperson of the BJP.


The Shelar brothers are among the siblings who are contesting the elections this time.

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