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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.”

NCP(SP) eyes bigger share in MVA

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Buoyed by the Lok Sabha results and the return of regional satraps and party workers into the fold, the NCP SP is increasing its bargaining power in the MVA’s seat sharing talks

MVA

Mumbai: For political parties within two state’s two major alliances, it’s time to flex muscle and corner the maximum number of seats as seat sharing talks are under way in full fervour. On Thursday, while speaking to reporters in Karad, Pawar claimed that the MVA leaders have reached consensus on 200 seats while 88 were still under discussion. If the outcome of the recent Haryana polls and the Lok Sabha results are any measure, the NCP-SP is well suited to get its demands met within the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi.


In the Lok Sabha elections held in April this year, Sharad Pawar’s party enjoyed a strike rate of 80 per cent, winning eight out of the 10 seats it contested. In contrast, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena won only nine out of the 21 constituencies it contested and the Congress won 13 of 17 seats.


The tally of 2019 is unlikely to have any bearing on the seat equations this time since both, the Shiv Sena and the NCP have split since then. In 2019, the undivided NCP contested 121 seats and won 54 while its alliance partner the Congress contested 147 but won only 44. This time, the Shiv Sena is also an alliance partner, asking for its share in the pie.


While the talks are still underway, sources within the NCP-SP say that they are keen on contesting between 90 and 115 seats given that the party is on the upswing with an influx of party leaders and workers. In the past few days, several senior party functionaries of Ajit Pawar-led NCP have met Pawar senior, promising support in various constituencies. NCP legislator from Phaltan, Deepak Chavan officially joined the NCP-SP taking along his supporters and party workers. Earlier this month, Harshvardhan Patil, who has a good hold over cooperatives, also returned to his parent party after a stint in the BJP.


With Pawar strengthening his chances in various constituencies, the party is set to get a boost during the seat sharing talks that are led by Jayant Patil.

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