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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.”

No significant benefits for real estate sector

Updated: Feb 3, 2025

real estate sector

Mumbai: The Union Budget unveiled on Saturday has hardly offered any significant benefits to the realty sector especially when affordable housing remains key issue among the citizens.


Though the real estate sector lobbied for various incentives like conferring industry status, increasing subsidy for the affordable housing as well as decreasing the interest rates for home loans, the government seems to have turned a blind eye to these demands.


Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman in her speech announced the second tranche of SWAMIH (Special Window for Affordable and Mid-income housing scheme) worth Rs 15,000 crore which aims to complete construction of one lakh housing units. The scheme funds the stressed housing projects and ensures their speedy completion so that the beneficiaries get their dwellings.


Anand Gupta, Vice President, Builders Association of India (BAI) said though money is allocated to SWAMIH and infrastructure projects, much needs to be done for the realty sector. “It is unfortunate that we did not get the industry status and even concessions as this sector plays a huge role both in boosting the economy as well as the generating employment,” said Gupta.


Similar is the view of Saransh Trehan, Managing Director, Trehan Group who said “The government’s continued push for affordable housing is a step in the right direction. However, key industry demands, such as industry status for the real estate sector and a streamlined single-window clearance system, remain unaddressed. These reforms are crucial to enhancing ease of doing business, expediting project approvals, and ensuring faster delivery of homes.”

Another proposal made by the Finance Minister is she has proposed a hike of Tax-deducted at source (TDS) for income tax for rental income to Rs 6 lakh annually from the present Rs 2.40 lakh. This benefits from those who own second homes and get rents from them.


Commenting on this issue, housing activist Ramesh Prabhu, Chairman, Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association (MSWA), which deals with cooperative housing societies issues, said though the TDS hike is welcome, home buying still remains a dream especially for majority citizens of metro cities. “The houses still are exorbitantly priced and on top of that taxes also remain high. We expected some relief in this budget but there is nothing per se,” rued Prabhu.


The real estate sector had created a wish list like revising the affordable housing price cap from Rs 45 lakhs to Rs 60 lakhs as prices have risen significantly ever since it was unveiled one decade back. Similarly increasing the income tax deduction limit on interest payments under Section 80C from Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs. There was also demanding for reduction of home loan interest rates. However nothing has been done on this front.

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