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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.”

Public funds up in smoke

Ambernath: Despite spending over 1.32 crore on the construction of an eco-friendly crematorium in Ambernath, the facility remains non-operational even after more than a year of completion. Citizens continue to use the old system and are being forced to pay for cremation services that are officially supposed to be free sparking serious public anger and raising questions over mismanagement and possible corruption.


Local resident Vikas Ingle, while speaking to The Perfect Voice, revealed a shocking experience. “My sister-in-law passed away on June 1, and when we went for her cremation, staff at the crematorium openly demanded money. I was told services are free, but I had to pay, and I even have the receipt. The new facility is not operational, and the quality of construction is extremely poor. It clearly suggests a nexus between officials and contractors,” he alleged. Ingle further demanded strict action against those responsible and urged the authorities to open the new crematorium to the public at the earliest.


Ambernath Municipal Council's Chief Officer Umakant Gaikwad claimed that the new eco-friendly cremation facility is fully functional and free for public use. However, this statement was directly contradicted by the Health Officer Suhas Sawant, who admitted that only one unclaimed body had been cremated during a trial run. He added that operational responsibility still needs to be handed over to a managing agency. Sawant also noted that critical infrastructure such as flooring, construction of platforms, and protective roofing to prevent water ingress is still incomplete.


These conflicting statements have fueled further frustration among residents, highlighting the lack of coordination within the municipal administration. More importantly, it points to possible misuse of public funds, especially since the work order issued on 5/10/2023, stipulated that the project be completed within 90 days. Yet, nearly 18 months later, the facility remains incomplete and unusable.


The delay in launching the eco-friendly cremation system is not only seen as a serious administrative lapse but also as a moral failure, given the sensitive nature of the service one that deals with the final rites of the deceased. Citizens are demanding accountability, transparency, and swift completion of the project to prevent further emotional and financial burden on grieving families.

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