According to Global TB Report 2016, India accounts for more than 1/4th of the global burden of tuberculosis (TB) incidents and 34 per cent of global TB deaths. Keeping this situation in mind, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) and ‘The Union’ organised TB Free India Summit in Dharamshala on April 7 & 8, 2017.
This initiative was conceptualised by Shri Anurag Thakur, Member of Parliament Hamirpur post Prime Minister’s vision of making India TB Free by 2025.
As a part of the summit, various stimulating panel discussions and interactions between Union & State Ministers, Members of Parliament, Government officials, celebrities, public health experts, etc. were held to galvanise support and commitment from these key stakeholders.
To ensure that the message of TB Free India should reach to the people, a One-Day friendly match was also played between MP’s XI (Members of Parliament) and Mumbai Heroes (Celebrity team) on April 8, 2017 at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala.
Over 10,000 people gathered live at the stadium and the match was telecast live on Doordarshan National, Rajya Sabha TV and Lok Sabha TV. To
eradicate TB from India, Anurag Thakur, Member of Parliament, Hamirpur pledged before the commencement of the match. He was accompanied by Shri JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal, Leader of Opposition, Himachal Pradesh Assembly and the team of MP’s XI, Mumbai Heroes and the audience present at the stadium.
Over the course of two days, eminent dignitaries and key stakeholders got associated with the initiative. Day one of the Summit saw participation from Shri Kaul Singh Thakur, Health and Family Welfare Minister in Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, Shri VP Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab, Health experts from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, TB survivors, international associations and media fraternity.
The Day Two started with a inaugural keynote address by Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union Minister of State Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. This was followed by a panel discussion between experts to think upon ways and means to curb the growth of TB in India. The session was concluded with a closing address from Shri JP Nadda.
Anurag Thakur informed Organiser, “TB is blot on the map of India and under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi we will take every possible step to fulfill his commitment of making India TB free by 2025. PM Modi has envisioned ending TB in India in five years before the international and United Nations deadline of 2030. To ensure that we meet the target, we will continue with our efforts in this field. To get more people from all walks of life to actively participate, work in this area and spread awareness, a series of events and public engagement programmes will be held across India” “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to PM Modi for sharing his encouraging words before the summit through a letter. It indeed raised the level of commitment and I am certain that with the support of everyone, we will successfully make India TB Free by 2025.”
Keeping in mind that April 7 is celebrated as World Health Day, this initiative aimed at marking the commencement of the journey to supplement Prime Minister’s vision of making India TB Free by 2025.
—Organiser Bureau
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