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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.”

With love for BJP Raj most watched politician

love for BJP

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray is one of the closely watched politicians in this election especially after his open praise for the BJP.


Thackeray’s association with the BJP is rooted in history, dating back to the era of influential leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, and Pramod Mahajan. This connection is significant, especially considering his recent statements expressing a natural affinity and “comfort” with the BJP.


However, this relationship with the BJP has been evolving over the years and showed his support towards Narendra Modi’s prime ministerial candidacy in 2014 but later criticised the party’s unfulfilled promises, even leading a “Modi-mukt Bharat” campaign in 2019. However, he has now seemingly aligned with the BJP, sharing the stage with PM Modi and campaigning for the party in the Assembly polls.


This shift is crucial, as MNS is contesting 137 seats this time with Thackeray’s son Amit making his electoral debut from the Mahim seat in Mumbai.


“I have never aligned towards Congress or any other parties, however since the beginning, I had developed relationships with the BJP. I find my comfort zone with the BJP,” he said.


Meanwhile, Thackeray has decided to contest the assembly election solo which has intensified the competition and raised concerns about a potential split in the vote share for the ruling Mahayuti coalition.


However, the BJP has announced support for a few of their candidates. In Mahim, the BJP has announced its support to Amit. In Shivadi, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar is the sole contender with the ruling coalition’s support.


The MNS has fielded candidates in 12 constituencies where Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde is in the fray. The party’s candidates are facing BJP in 10 constituencies.


Thackeray emphasised that he is fighting the assembly polls to showcase his party’s strength. ‘‘For the Vidhan Sabha (State Assembly) elections, we will focus on strengthening our party following which I had instructed all party workers to work for the upcoming assembly election,” said Raj.

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