The Lok Sabha Speaker XI was led by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju captained the Rajya Sabha Chairman XI. Speaking to ANI, Kiren Rijiju highlighted the significance of fitness, saying, “Many of our MP colleagues have joined us today. With the fitness mantra, this event aims to energize people through sports. Our goal is ‘TB Free India’ alongside the ‘Fit India Movement.’ To serve the nation, you need to be both mentally and physically fit.”

Rijiju also emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to eradicate TB in India by 2025, a goal set ahead of the global target of 2030.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur expressed pride in India’s progress against TB, stating, “Since 2015, TB-related deaths in India have dropped by 38 percent, and new cases have reduced by 18 percent, compared to the global decline of 8 percent. This highlights India’s remarkable progress despite being the world’s most populous nation. The government provides free medicines, Rs 1,000 in financial support to patients, and closely monitors cases.”

AAP MP Raghav Chadha appreciated the initiative, remarking, “This is a commendable effort. The match is being played for a noble cause, and I believe this awareness campaign will reach every corner of the country. Moreover, such initiatives promote teamwork and reduce political rivalry, encouraging us to work together for Bharat Mata.”

BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy also praised the event, calling it a “unique effort by MPs towards a TB-free India.” He added, “Anurag Thakur, who was also the Sports Minister, is leading our team. This reflects another side of MPs, as cricket is one of the most fascinating sports in the world.”

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari emphasized the importance of raising awareness, saying, “Through this match, we want to spread the message that TB can be defeated with awareness. Winning or losing today’s match is secondary, but defeating TB is crucial to ensure the country’s success.”

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu congratulated the organizers and stated, “The Prime Minister has consistently emphasized eliminating TB by 2025. A series of initiatives have been undertaken as part of this mission, and today’s match takes this effort further by uniting people and raising awareness in the fight against TB.”

Former Indian cricket captain and Congress leader Mohammed Azharuddin expressed his happiness, saying, “It’s a pleasure to meet everyone through such an event. The nation must work together to become TB-free as soon as possible. I’m delighted to participate in this initiative.”

BJP MP Ravi Kishan described the match as “historic” and commented, “The youth need to be inspired and freed from both drugs and TB. By raising awareness among our children, we can fulfill Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a TB-free India.”

India’s pledge to eliminate TB by 2025 was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the End TB Summit in New Delhi in March 2018 and reaffirmed at the One World TB Summit in Varanasi on World TB Day 2023. At these summits, the Prime Minister called for a revitalized and decisive approach to tackle TB.

Additionally, India is a signatory to the Gandhinagar Declaration, a collaborative commitment made by Health Ministers and the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO). This declaration, signed in August 2023 during a high-level ministerial meeting, focuses on “Sustain, Accelerate, and Innovate to End TB” in the South-East Asia Region by 2030.

This friendly match not only showcased the sporting spirit of MPs but also highlighted their dedication to achieving a TB-free India, promoting fitness, and fostering unity in the collective fight against tuberculosis.

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At the launch event, Nadda emphasized the government’s dedication to eradicating TB, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bold 2018 declaration to “end TB” in India. “When people used to say ‘fight against’ TB, in 2018 our Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ‘end TB’. This was a very bold statement for the world,” Nadda remarked. He added that despite the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government remains committed to achieving a TB-free India, though the goal might take some time beyond 2025.

The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan campaign is integral to India’s strategy of eliminating TB before the 2030 deadline set by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Nadda also reflected on the historical stigma associated with TB, noting that in the past, TB patients were often isolated due to fear of the disease’s spread. He praised the Prime Minister’s vision for a TB-free India, which aims to surpass the global deadline for eradication.

Highlighting recent advancements in TB treatment, Nadda pointed out that India now boasts over 1.7 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, which are pivotal in early TB detection. He also underscored the introduction of a daily drug regimen for sensitive TB cases, which has shortened treatment periods and significantly increased the TB treatment success rate to 87%. Furthermore, the government has provided Rs 3,338 crore through direct benefit transfers under the Ni-kshay support scheme, benefiting over 1.17 crore TB patients.

Nadda shared encouraging statistics, revealing that the rate of TB decline in India has more than doubled, from 8.3% in 2015 to 17.7% today, significantly outpacing the global average. Over the past decade, TB-related deaths in India have decreased by 21.4%.

MP Nayab Singh Saini also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of government initiatives like the Jan Bhagidari, Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, Fit India, and Khelo India campaigns, which contribute to the fight against TB. He highlighted the government’s focus on the “4Ts” — Test, Track, Treat, and Technology — as a comprehensive approach to eliminating TB.

The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is a major step forward in India’s ongoing battle against TB, aiming to detect and treat the disease more effectively, reduce its transmission, and ultimately achieve a TB-free nation.

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