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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.”

The Fighter for Reservation

Mahadev Jankar

Mahadev Jankar has dedicated his life for the cause of the Dhangar community to which he belongs. Known as a very honest and down to earth social worker, he has chosen the politics as the means to achieve the goals he has set for the community. His party, the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, had been a part of the ruling Mahayuti for a long time. However, he was unhappy within the alliance and had announced that he is quitting the alliance. The BJP, however, left one seat for the party and now the results shall decide whether he is with the NDA or has finally quit.


Born on April 19, 1968, in the small village of Palsawade in the Satara district, Mahadev Jagannath Jankar’s journey to politics began with his education. He completed his B.Tech in Electrical Engineering with a gold medal from Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli. Despite receiving lucrative job offers, he chose to dedicate his life to social work and the upliftment of the underprivileged. His commitment to social service was so strong that he vowed never to marry or have a family of his own, focusing entirely on his mission to bring about social change.


In 2003, Jankar founded the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, aiming to represent the interests of the backward classes and marginalized communities. His political career saw him contesting various elections, including the Madha Lok Sabha seat in 2009 and the Baramati Lok Sabha seat in 2014. Although he did not win these elections, his efforts garnered significant support and respect from the people. He put up a great fight against Supriya Sule and lost by a thin margin.


Jankar’s dedication and hard work for the Dhangar community paid off when he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) of Maharashtra on January 23, 2015. His political journey continued to ascend as he was appointed as the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries Department in the Maharashtra government on July 8, 2016. He served in this position until November 9, 2019.


Jankar has been a vocal advocate for rights of the Dhangar community, particularly their demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The Dhangars, who account for up to 9% of Maharashtra’s population, currently receive 3.5% reservation under the Nomadic Tribe (NT) category. However, they have been fighting for ST status, which would grant them 7% reservation. This demand has led to significant protests and clashes over the years, with the community feeling marginalized and overlooked by successive governments.

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