India’s initiative is a new model for the global war against tuberculosis (TB).

This was stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while inaugurating the One World TV Summit 2023 at Rudraksh Convention Centre here on Friday. He said that today's new India was known for achieving its goals and it had taken a pledge to eliminate TB from the country.

“TB will lose and India will win, the world will win,” Modi said, adding that while the global target to end TB was 2030, India was working on eliminating it five years earlier, by 2025 itself.

During his five-hour-long stay in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, the prime minister also dedicated and laid the foundation stones of 28 projects worth more than Rs 1,780 crore.

Addressing a gathering at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University Grounds, Modi praised Uttar Pradesh, saying that the state was setting new benchmarks in every field of development today.

“On March 25, Yogiji will be completing one year of his second innings. Two-three days back, Yogiji has also created the record of being the chief minister of UP for the longest period of time. Today, UP has come out of its old image of despair and is moving in the direction of hope and aspiration. As security strengthens and conveniences increase, there is bound to be prosperity,” Modi said.

 “The projects that have landed in Kashi today will pave the way for its progress on the path of prosperity,” he said, greeting the people in typical ‘Banarasi’ style. Modi said that people were mesmerised by the reconstruction of Vishwanath Dham both within the country and abroad.

“Recently, when the world's longest river cruise started from our Kashi, it was also discussed a lot. Due to these efforts of yours, more than seven crore tourists came to Kashi within a year. The people are coming to Varanasi, staying here and enjoying its food. More than 50 lakh people come to Varanasi every month for Banarasi paan, wooden toys, Banarasi sarees, and carpet. People coming to Banaras are bringing with them means of income for every family of Banaras,” he added.

Referring to the resolve to give a new impetus to the development of Kashi, Modi said that the ropeway being constructed here would increase both convenience and attractiveness of Kashi.

He said after the construction of the ropeway, the distance of Varanasi Junction (Cantonment) railway station and Kashi Vishwanath Corridor would be reduced to a few minutes.“This will also solve the problem of traffic jams between Cantonment station and Godowlia. Today, a lot of work has been done in the direction of strengthening the air connectivity of Banaras. A new ATC (air traffic control) tower has been inaugurated at Babatpur airport. Till now more than 50 aircraft are handled here. With the construction of a new ATC tower, this capacity will increase,” Prime Minister Modi remarked.

Earlier, addressing the gathering at Rudraksh, the prime minister expressed delight that the One World TB Summit was taking place in Varanasi on the occasion of World TB Day and noted that he was also a member of Parliament from this city. He underlined that the city of Kashi was like an eternal stream that had witnessed the hard work and efforts of humanity for thousands of years. “No matter the obstacle, Kashi has always proved that new ways are created with ‘sabka prayas’ (everyone’s effort)”, he remarked.

He expressed confidence that Kashi will usher new energy towards global resolutions in the fight against a disease like TB. 

“As a country, the reflection of India’s ideology can be seen in the spirit of Vasudev Kutumbakam (the whole world is one family). This ancient ideology is giving an integrated vision and integrated solutions to the advanced world of today,” Modi said, adding that as the G20 president, India chose the theme of ‘One Family, One World, One Future’ based on such beliefs.

“The theme of G20 is a resolution for the shared future of the entire world and India is forwarding the vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’ in the world,” he said.

Elaborating on a multi-pronged approach against TB in the last nine years, the prime minister highlighted the country’s success with the people’s participation, enhancing nutrition, treatment innovation, tech integration and wellness and prevention such as Fit India, Yoga, and Khelo India type of interventions.

He also talked about the Ni-kshay Mitra Campaign in helping TB patients, saying that about 10 lakh TB patients have been adopted by citizens and even children aged 10-12 years have come forward.

“Financial help to the TB patients under the programme has reached up to Rs 1,000 crore,” he said, terming the movement ‘inspirational’ and expressing happiness that even Pravasi Indians were participating in this.

“Our government had announced a DBT scheme for TB patients in 2018 and as a result, approximately Rs 2,000 crore have been directly transferred into their bank accounts for the treatment of TB, benefitting about 75 lakh patients,” he said.

Referring to the capacity and health infrastructure enhancement during the pandemic, the prime minister underlined the high use of trace, test, track, treat and technology in the fight against the disease. “There is a massive global potential in this local approach of India,” he said, emphasising the need to collectively use that potential.

He said that 80 per cent of TB medicines were made in India. “I would like that more and more countries get the benefit of all such campaigns, innovations and modern technology of India. All the countries involved in this summit can develop a mechanism for this. I am sure, this resolution of ours will definitely be fulfilled as ‘Yes, we can end TB’ campaign, Modi added.