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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’s future uncertain after poll debacle

Updated: Nov 25, 2024

Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai: The massive setback suffered by Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Assembly polls poses a huge challenge to its chief Uddhav Thackeray who is likely to face a huge task to keep his flock together.


This comes in the backdrop of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena which has performed exceptionally well in the polls.


Right after the results, BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis taunted Uddhav Thackeray. “People have given a verdict to Eknath Shinde that he represents the real Shiv Sena and is a true successor of Balasaheb Thackeray (Sena founder and Uddhav’s father),’ said Fadnavis.


Political analysts point that Uddhav has his hands full in the coming months considering that an unfriendly government is in place both at the state and centre.


“Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena is in deep crises as it has given its worst performance in recent times. Uddhav needs to take corrective steps or else the party will disintegrate further,” warned noted political analyst Hemant Desai. “The party needs to create a new team under Aaditya Thackeray and re-vitalise its outfit,” he added.


This scene is a huge contrast from the Lok Sabha polls conducted a few months back when Uddhav Thackeray led from the front and was instrumental in the MVA being able to win 30 of the 48 seats.


However, in the last few months, the MVA was not able to keep up the tempo and indulged in apathy and infighting among themselves. In contrast the ruling Mahayuti Government pulled up their socks and indulged in course correction offering doles and initiating welfare schemes to the citizens.

Uddhav’s problems are further to be compounded as there is a very likelihood that the incoming government will take proactive efforts to conduct BMC polls.

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