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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.”

Turkey’s military backing behind Pakistan’s drone escalation alarms India



Pakistan’s large-scale drone incursions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and across the International Border in several Indian states have exposed a troubling Turkish connection. According to official sources, between 300 and 400 drones—supplied by Turkey—were used by Pakistan to violate Indian airspace and carry out attacks targeting both military positions and civilian areas.


Government officials revealed in a special briefing on Operation Sindoor that the drones intruded across 36 locations along India’s western frontier, stretching from Leh in Ladakh to Sir Creek in Gujarat. The Indian armed forces responded with both kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures, successfully bringing down many of the unmanned aerial vehicles. Forensic teams are currently examining the wreckage, and initial findings suggest the drones were Turkish-made ‘Asis Guard Songar’ models.


This recent escalation has raised serious concerns in New Delhi, particularly because Turkey has refrained from condemning the recent terror attack on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. Nor has it expressed sympathy to the families of the Indian tourists killed in that attack, believed to have been carried out by Pakistan-linked terrorists. Instead, Ankara has offered unwavering support to Pakistan, deepening suspicions about Turkey’s motives.


Turkey has been a long-time backer of Pakistan, offering consistent moral, economic, and military support. It has publicly endorsed Pakistan’s narrative on Kashmir, and has aligned itself with the ideological stance of the Two-Nation Theory. In a striking diplomatic move, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif just hours after the terror attack in Pahalgam—believed to have been executed by The Resistance Front, a proxy of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba. Erdogan was the only world leader to meet Sharif in the aftermath, and Sharif later expressed gratitude for Turkey’s “unwavering support” on the Kashmir issue.


While the international community stood in solidarity with India following the attack, reports indicate that Turkey sent a large consignment of military equipment to Pakistan. Six Turkish military aircraft reportedly arrived with weaponry and defense gear, though Ankara denied this, claiming the aircraft were only refueling. Nevertheless, global flight-tracking systems confirmed the presence of Turkish C-130 military planes in Pakistan.


Shortly thereafter, Turkey also deployed one of its naval warships—the TCG Büyükada (F-512), a MILGEM-class corvette—to Karachi Port. Turkey described the visit as a “routine port call,” but Pakistan called it a “goodwill visit,” suggesting stronger bilateral military alignment and aggressive signaling toward India.


India’s concerns deepened after it launched Operation Sindoor, which involved targeted precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). While most global actors refrained from taking sides, Turkey openly backed Pakistan. In a statement, the Turkish presidency reported that President Erdogan spoke with Prime Minister Sharif, expressing solidarity and offering Ankara’s full support. Erdogan even referred to India’s counter-terror strikes as an attack that resulted in the “martyrdom of numerous civilians,” and extended condolences to the “brotherly people and state of Pakistan.”


At the press conference held earlier today, Indian officials confirmed that on the intervening night of May 8 and 9, hundreds of Turkish-origin drones were launched from Pakistan in what appeared to be a coordinated attempt to test India’s air defense systems and gather intelligence. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the actions were “provocative and escalatory,” targeting Indian urban areas, civilian infrastructure, and some military facilities.


Turkey’s defense relationship with Pakistan has been growing rapidly. In 2024, Pakistan officially recorded arms purchases from Turkey totaling $5.16 million. Beyond the Asis Guard Songar drones, Turkey has also provided Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones for enhanced surveillance capabilities. In the naval sphere, Turkey is supplying four MILGEM-class corvettes to Pakistan. Two of these—PNS Khyber and PNS Babur—have already been delivered, while the remaining two—PNS Tariq and PNS Badr—are currently being constructed at the Karachi Shipyard.


As the military partnership between Turkey and Pakistan strengthens, particularly in contexts involving cross-border terrorism and the Kashmir dispute, India continues to monitor developments closely. Officials suggest that Turkey’s actions go beyond routine diplomacy and signal a deeper strategic alignment with Islamabad that could further destabilize regional security.


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