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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.”

Surprise inspection finds no class 10 student at UP madrassa can write name in English

  • PTI
  • Apr 28, 2025
  • 3 min read

Bahraich: A surprise inspection at a madrassa in this district has unveiled the sorry state of education there, with officials saying that none of its class 10 students could write their names in English.


Alarmed, authorities issued a warning and a notice to the madrassa and asked the seminary to focus on other subjects besides Arabic and Persian.


Qari Irfan, a faculty member at the seminary, said 15 students have been enrolled in class 10 so far, and of them 10 were present during Monday's surprise inspection.


"The students asked to write in English are new to this seminary. They are weak in English and could not perform to the satisfaction of the inspecting officials. We will hold separate classes for struggling students," the acting principal (Naib Principal) of the madrassa, Maulana Shamsuddin, told PTI.


District Minority Welfare Officer Sanjay Mishra told reporters on Monday that the surprise inspection was conducted at Jamia Gaziya Sayyadul Uloom, a recognised madrassa in the Badi Takiya area.


One of the teachers was found absent though it was not recorded in the attendance register, Mishra said and also noted that students' attendance in Munshi, Maulvi, and Alim classes was significantly lower compared to the registered number.


"During the inspection, class 10 students were asked to write their names and that of the madrassa in English. But none could do it," he claimed and pointed out that the seminary's focus was largely limited to Arabic and Persian studies with little attention to other subjects.


This has led to an "alarming" academic situation, the officer said, adding, "Neglecting the broader education of students is playing with their future."


The authorities have warned the madrassa of strict action if immediate steps are not taken towards improving the quality of education. Notices have been sent to the madrassa management and the absent teacher.


Shamsuddin pointed out that besides imparting religious education, the madrassa had provisions for teaching English, Hindi, Mathematics, and Science. "Which is why a science teacher had been appointed. But more emphasis was given to Arabic, Persian, and Urdu rather than these subjects."


"However, since the implementation of the NCERT curriculum... we have now started focusing on all subjects. It is better for the children's future that they are not limited to becoming just Alims (religious scholars) but also have opportunities in other fields as well," he said.


In view of the minority welfare officer's warning, "we have now prepared a timetable for teachers to teach all subjects", the acting principal added.


About the officer complaining that very few students of Munshi, Maulvi, and Alim classes being in attendance at the seminary, Irfan said the madrassa has enrolled 350 pupils for this academic session so far and the admissions was still in progress.


The student count is expected to increase as admissions continue, the teacher said.


The seminary has a three-tier academic structure. Classes 1 to 5, categorized as the primary level, are referred to as "Darja Tehtania"; classes 6 to 8, the junior level, are known as "Darja Faukania", while classes 9 to 12, comprising the high school and intermediate levels, are termed "Darja Alia."


Irfan further said that teachers handling classes up to 10 are traditionally titled "Maulvi" or "Munshi," while those teaching Classes 11 and 12 hold the title of "Alim".


The Bahraich district has 301 recognised madrassas. Additionally, a recent survey has identified 495 unrecognised madrassas in the district, according to officials.

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