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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.”

Pakistan airspace closure forces Indian flights to reroute over Arabian Sea



NEW DELHI: With Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian flights, routes to North America, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East are now longer. As a result, passengers will face longer travel times and delayed arrivals. Though airfares are expected to rise, airlines hadn’t made any official statements on this by Friday night.


IndiGo has cancelled its flights to Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan) until May 7.


A Civil Aviation Ministry official told this newspaper, “Flights will now need to take the Arabian Sea route, which is the only available option. This will increase travel time for passengers and add operational costs for airlines.”


The official also mentioned that airlines are unhappy about the extra fuel and time costs, and have approached the ministry seeking support to operate international flights via these longer routes. He said the same thing had happened in 2019 after the Pulwama attacks, when Pakistan had also shut its airspace.


Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air are expected to be affected.


IndiGo said in a statement, “Due to Pakistan’s airspace closure, about 50 of our international routes will need to fly longer sectors, which could slightly affect schedules. Almaty and Tashkent are beyond the range of our current fleet given these restrictions, so flights to Almaty are cancelled from April 27 to May 7, and to Tashkent from April 28 to May 7, 2025.”


A SpiceJet spokesperson said flights from North India to the UAE will now follow alternate routes and carry extra fuel to accommodate the longer duration.


Air India also warned passengers to expect delays. In a post on X, the airline said some of its flights to and from North America, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East will take extended routes due to the airspace closure.

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