New Delhi, Dec 15, 2024: A friendly cricket match between MPs from the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha was held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, aimed at raising awareness for the “TB Mukt Bharat” (TB-free India) initiative. The match featured Lok Sabha Speaker XI, captained by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, and Rajya Sabha Chairman XI, led by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.
The event, dubbed the “TB Mukt Bharat awareness cricket match,” is part of the government’s drive to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju highlighted the importance of fitness and its connection to serving the nation, while also emphasizing India’s progress in reducing TB deaths and new cases. He noted that India’s TB-related deaths have dropped by 38% since 2015, surpassing the global average.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur underscored the government’s commitment to free TB treatment and financial support for patients. AAP MP Raghav Chadha lauded the initiative, suggesting that such events help reduce political tensions and promote unity. BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy called the match a unique effort towards a TB-free India, with cricket being an engaging platform for the cause.
Other participants, including BJP MPs Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan, and Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin, expressed their support for the initiative. Azharuddin, the former India captain, also joined the match, stressing the importance of eradicating TB.
This event aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of a TB-free India by 2025, a vision first articulated in 2018 and reaffirmed in 2023. The government has committed to increasing public awareness and ensuring the provision of free treatment to TB patients.
