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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.”

Sisters Carry On Their Father’s Legacy

Hopeful of getting a nomination for the upcoming assembly elections, Jyoti Girigosavi reverted to her maiden name Jyoti Eknath Gaikwad, in July this year. Such is the goodwill earned by her father Eknath Gaikwad during his lifetime that his daughters are banking on his legacy to pursue a career in politics. While one daughter, Varsha and is a former minister and currently a Member of Parliament from the Mumbai North West constituency, the other daughter Jyoti is an aspiring politician.


For the Congress party, Gaikwad was a prominent Dalit leader who represented Dharavi in the Maharashtra legislative assembly and in Parliament twice. Hailing from Satara, Gaikwad first contested the elections from Dharavi in 1985 and was subsequently re-elected from there twice. He also held the minister of state portfolios for public health, social justice and higher and technical education during his tenure in the government. Gaikwad’s biggest draw was his accessibility to the people of his constituency. He championed the cause of Dalits and other oppressed sections of society, maintaining a constant presence in Dharavi which has the title of being Asia’s largest slum. He worked to improve sanitation and infrastructure facilities and was the voice of his people in the corridors of power.


In 2004, he defeated former chief minister Manohar Joshi in the Lok Sabha elections. At that time, Joshi was the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. He won the election again in 2009 and was the constituency’s representative in Parliament till 2014. At the age of 81 years, Gaikwad succumbed to Covid, in the year 2021. A low-profile politician, Gaikwad was never involved in any controversy and was believed to be a sincere and loyal Congressman.


His daughter Varsha succeeded him in the state assembly when she won her first election from Dharavi in 2004. A former lecturer at Mumbai’s Siddharth College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Varsha is a four-term legislator and was the cabinet minister for school education between 2019 and 2022. The newest member of the family to enter politics is Varsha’s sister Jyoti who is contesting the Vidhan Sabha elections this time. While she may not have extensive experience in public life, she is banking on her father’s legacy and goodwill and her sister’s reach among the electorate.

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