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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.”

Rahul’s caste plan amid allegations of discrimination

The LoP claims that Indian nationalism is in danger because certain castes do not have adequate representation in judiciary, bureaucracy, media and corporates

Rahul Gandhi

Mumbai: The Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday demonstrated in Nagpur that he could not get rid of the caste system that is cemented in his head. Gandhi was in Nagpur for a ‘Samvidhan Samman Sammelan’. He spent most of the time of his speech on accusing the society of allegedly depriving the so called lower castes from the benefits of development.


Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jyotibha Phule, Gautam Buddha and Basavanna were the most repeated names in Gandhi’s speech. The event was held at Suresh Bhatt Hall in Reshimbag area, which is adjacent to Dr. Hedgewar Smruti Mandir, a memorial of RSS founder the late Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.


Gandhi also addressed the country as Hindustan several times over in his 31-minute speech that also included his own fascination with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s books and the Indian Constitution. Gandhi claimed that he has read Dr. Ambedkar’s book ‘The Annihilation of Caste’. He also claimed the Constitution is more than a book but a modern version with a thousand-year-old thought behind it.


Gandhi’s speech appeared to be a hurriedly put together effort to remind the audience that Dalits, OBCs, and Other Backward Classes (OBC) continue to be ignored and rejected in new India and that he is their only saviour available at hand.


Gandhi stressed in his speech that lack of caste representation in media, judiciary and corporate sector is also a threat to Indian nationality. He claimed that caste census alone can give them proper representation in “Hindustan”. He also promised to work hard to break the 50 per cent cap on caste reservations.


Gandhi called himself an ‘amplifier’, responsible to bring forth the voices of the poor and backward people to the forefront and that he was very much enjoying his role at that.

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