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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.”

Waiting for A Big Opportunity

Updated: Nov 25, 2024

Bala Nandgaonkar

Bala Nandgaonkar, who was a Shiv Sena corporator, came to fame in 1995 when he defeated the then PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal in his own Mazgaon assembly constituency. He came to be known as a giant killer. Almost 30 years after that he is contesting against Shiv Sena MLA Ajay Chaudhari from the Shivadi assembly constituency, which is known as the bastion of Shiv Sena. If Nandgaonkar beats Chaudhari, he shall create history again, as the Shiv Sena will face defeat in a constituency where it had never been defeated in the past.


Born on June 1, 1957, in Mazgaon, Mumbai to Rakhma and Dagdu Nandgaonkar, Bala grew up in Taadwadi area of Mazgaon, where he also started participating in social activities. The innate desire to serve people pushed him towards Shiv Sena, which was more of a platform to resolve small societal issues than a political party back then. Balasaheb Thackeray became the guiding force for Bala and soon he was known for resolving civic issues by the locals. This skill with people forced the party to make him contest the BMC election and he became a corporator. Nandgaonkar married Leena in 1999 and the couple has a daughter.


His loyalty towards Thackeray helped him stay with Shiv Sena even when the local MLA Chhagan Bhujbal switched over to the Congress and became a minister. Nandgaonkar’s loyalty forced the party to make him contest assembly election in 1995 and he became a giant killer. When the party came to power in 1995, he became the minister of state for home. This was a big leap that shaped his career. He represented the Mazgaon seat in the state legislature for next three consecutive terms after that. He was recognized as the Best Legislator in the Maharashtra Assembly in 1995 and received the Best Legislator Award from the President of India.


In the meanwhile, in 2006 Raj Thackeray quit Shiv Sena to form Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) and Bala Nandgaonkar was the only MLA in office to quit the party with him to form a new party. He won 2009 election as the member of MNS. In 2014, however, he lost to Ajay Chaudhary of Shiv Sena from the Shivadi constituency and didn’t contest any election after that. That is also another reason why this election matters more to him.


Nandgaonkar has also been involved in social service activities, such as organizing SSC guidance camps for children, walking marathons for senior citizens, cricket tournaments, and recruitment camps with large private entities in his constituency. He has also worked on projects like the renovation and beautification of the Raey Road crematorium and the creation of a “Senior Citizens House” for senior citizens to gather and address issues.


In addition to his political and social work, Nandgaonkar has been the President of the Maharashtra State Carrom Association.

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