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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.”

Uddhav assures free education, scrapping of Dharavi project

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday unveiled his party’s manifesto for the Maharashtra assembly polls, assuring free education for male students, stabilising prices of essential items and scrapping of the Dharavi redevelopment project.


Thackeray, while releasing the manifesto at his residence ‘Matoshree’ in Mumbai, said most of the poll promises are part of the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) overall assurances, but there are some points which need special attention.


Thackeray said every district will have a temple of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.


He also promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme and remove the cap of 50 per cent reservation.

Thackeray assured that the way female students in the state were getting free education under a government policy, it will be implemented for male students as well, if the MVA comes to power.


He also promised free travel for women in public transport buses.


Apart from recruiting 18,000 women in state’s police force, Thackeray said all female police stations will also be established in Maharashtra.


The MVA will also keep stable the prices of essential commodities, he said.


On the Dharavi redevelopment project, the former chief minister said it will be scrapped as the project will have ramifications on Mumbai.


Maharashtra and Mumbai will also have a housing policy keeping the rapid urbanisation in mind, he said.


Affordable houses will be built for “sons of the soil” in urban, semi-urban and rural areas, he added.

Thackeray also said if the MVA comes to power, it will scrap cluster development of Koliwadas (fishing community settlements) and Gaothans (villages) and their development will be done after taking the residents into confidence.


On generating employment, the Sena (UBT) head said his party will work towards creating jobs. Job fairs will be held in each district every three months, he added.


Thackeray also said that an International Finance Centre will be established in the state.


No campaign in Mahim

Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said there was no need to campaign for his party candidate in Mahim, a seat where his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray’s son Amit and ruling Shiv Sena’s Sadanand Sarvankar are in the fray. He said there was lack of time to hold a rally in each and every constituency of the state. He, however, said the party has approached the authorities, seeking permission to hold a rally at the Shivaji Park on November 17.


“I don’t need to campaign in Mahim. It is my constituency. It is Shiv Sena’s constituency,” Thackeray told reporters here.


“We have sought permission because that is the last evening of campaigning. November 17 is also the anniversary of Shiv Sena Pramukh. Lakhs of Shiv Sainiks come there and they will also come there this year.”

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