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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.”

Unkept promises major reason behind defections from BJP

defections from BJP

Mumbai: The recent wave of defections from the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance to the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has far-reaching implications for the forthcoming Maharashtra elections. Leaders from diverse regions, like Rajendra Shingne and Harshvardhan Patil, have switched allegiances, citing dissatisfaction with how they were treated within the alliance and frustration over unfulfilled promises. This defection trend exposes deeper fault lines within the Mahayuti and poses significant challenges to its prospects in the upcoming elections.


One of the primary reasons for these defections is the sidelining of veteran leaders who feel their contributions have been underappreciated. Shingne’s move to Sharad Pawar’s camp, after being denied a cabinet position in Ajit Pawar’s faction, highlights the growing disillusionment among Mahayuti’s second-tier leadership. Similarly, Ganesh Naik, a senior BJP legislator from Navi Mumbai, is reportedly negotiating his exit from the party due to unmet electoral demands for his son. Such discontent reflects the BJP’s struggle to manage its coalition partners and accommodate key regional players within its political framework.


Another important factor driving these defections is regionalism. In Maharashtra, issues like the Maratha reservation and agrarian distress are deeply political, and the BJP has struggled to address these concerns in a manner that satisfies both the urban and rural constituencies. Leaders like Harshvardhan Patil, whose political career is rooted in the sugar lobby and rural farming communities, have expressed frustration with the Mahayuti’s handling of agricultural issues. His decision to rejoin Sharad Pawar is emblematic of a broader trend where leaders from agrarian regions feel that the BJP-led government’s policies favor urban interests over rural development.


The rising influence of Sharad Pawar and the MVA, fueled by their strong showing in the recent Lok Sabha elections, has also contributed to this exodus. Pawar’s stature as a seasoned political leader and his party’s ability to resonate with farmers and rural communities make him an attractive alternative. The NCP (SP) under Pawar has successfully positioned itself as a champion of regional and rural interests, offering disgruntled Mahayuti leaders a platform to pursue their political ambitions.


As a result, these defections are likely to weaken the BJP-led alliance’s prospects in the forthcoming elections. The departure of key figures from critical constituencies, such as Sindhkhed Raja and Indapur, weakens Mahayuti’s regional hold, especially in rural strongholds where the MVA is gaining ground. The challenge for the BJP will be to maintain internal cohesion and prevent further erosion of its political base as leaders seek more favorable opportunities elsewhere.


Sandeep Naik latest to quit

In a setback to the BJP in Navi Mumbai ahead of the November 20 state assembly elections, the party’s leader and former MLA Sandeep Naik on Tuesday joined the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP).


He is likely to contest the assembly election from the Belapur seat, where the BJP has re-nominated its sitting MLA Manda Mhatre, sources said.


Notably, Sandeep’s father and former minister Ganesh Naik, who wielded a major influence in Navi Mumbai region over the years, has been re-nominated by the BJP from the Airoli assembly constituency.

Sandeep Naik was welcomed into the NCP (SP) fold by the party’s state unit president Jayant Patil.

According to sources, Sandeep Naik was unhappy over the denial of a poll ticket by the BJP.


“What we have lost is now found. The story that begins in Navi Mumbai will resonate across Maharashtra. We will not overlook the contributions of our most dedicated activists and leaders. Sandeep Naik’s entry will undoubtedly strengthen our party,” Patil said on the occasion.


He urged the audience to rally behind Naik in the upcoming elections.


Patil also targeted the state government over the rising inflation, unemployment, and the deterioration of law and order.

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