Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar called upon the industrialists to make their significant contribution to make Himachal Pradesh a TB-free State. He said that along with economic development, they should also come forward and contribute to this cause also.
The Governor was addressing the Members Meet organized by Confederation of Indian Industries in collaboration with BBN Industries Association on behalf of Industries of the area at Nalagarh in Solan district, today.
He said that the issue of TB eradication was related to social health. He said that the Prime Minister has implemented various activities related to health in which every person should ensure his participation. He said that today TB has been eradicated in most of the countries of the world but India still has a large number of such patients. That is why the Prime Minister has set a target of making the country TB-free by the year 2024. Appreciating the efforts of the State Government, he said that the State Government has set a target to be free from it by the year 2023. He said that if TB patients were adopted for treatment, then surely we could easily achieve this goal.
Shri Arlekar said that today we need to work as a community social organization. Appreciating the efforts of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Industrial Association, he said that they have always discharged their social responsibility as per the requirement. He expressed hope that by the year 2023, with the efforts of the Association, the state would become TB free.
The Governor appealed to be a part of this campaign individually and said that every person should also inspire others in this direction. It was our social responsibility and there was a need to work in this direction.
He appealed to everyone to adopt one person suffering from Tuberculosis and take the responsibility to help them in providing all assistance. He said that today, as per the data 12.30 lakh TB cases were reported in India. He said that the total TB notification rate in 2021 in the State was 191 cases per lakh population. Total TB cases in 2021 in the State were 14492, out of which 2.6 per cent were in tribal areas, 74 per cent in rural and 23.4 percent in urban areas.
Rajesh Sharma, Secretary to Governor who is also the General Secretary of State Red Cross Society detailed about the various activities of the State Red Cross Society in the State through Power Point presentation. He urged the industrialists to associate with Red Cross activities and help the needy people in distress. He also urged them to contribute and come forward in helping 9000 TB patients in the state, who have given their consent to register themselves in the Nikshay portal.
Gopal Beri, Deputy Managing Director, National Health Mission welcomed the Governor on the occasion and detailed about the activities of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan through power point presentation. He also briefed about the scope and expected outcomes of the NI-KSHAY 2.0 portal. He said that Himachal Pradesh has been adjudged the best State in the country who was implementing the TB eradication programme in an effective manner.
Subodh Gupta, President, CII Himachal Pradesh welcomed and honoured the Governor on the occasion. He said that the industrialists of BBN area made huge contributions during the Corona period and urged the industrialists to contribute for the social cause under their CSR activities. He said that Microtek company in which he is Managing Director would provide rupees one crore for the TB eradication campaign in the State in the coming two years. He also highlighted various problems of the industrial area.
Rajender Guleria, President, BBNIA welcomed the Governor and said that their association would definitely help in the eradication of TB. He was also apprised of economic activities at BBN.
Gagan Kapoor, Vice-President, CII HP proposed a vote of thanks.
Earlier, while addressing the first annual celebration of “Jagriti Campaign” started by BBN Police for empowerment of women and sensitisation of women’s legal rights, the Governor said that women need to be given opportunities in their respective field. For this, there was a need to change the mindset of the men dominating society. He said that let us try to work over it and to change the society. He expressed satisfaction that it was happening in Baddi through BBN police.
Congratulating Navratri, he said that this program was being celebrated with the symbol of power, woman power. He said that awareness itself was itself an empowerment. He said that this initiative of Jagriti was a guided example for other states also. He added that we must take inspiration from the people who were working on the ground and these were the inspirational force for society.
Daisy Thakur, Chairperson, HP commission for women welcomed the Governor and appreciated the efforts of Baddi Police for initiating this Jagriti Campaign. She said that several programmes and schemes were being implemented by the State and the Central Government but it was more important to reach these programmes to the targeted groups.
Mohit Chawla, Superintendent of Police welcomed and honoured the Governor on the occasion and briefed about the Jagriti campaign. He said that under the campaign social, economic and legal rights have been given to more than 32000 women of the Police district. He informed that the Baddi Police has been awarded “Skoch” award for the successful implementation of this initiative. He said, “We, the Baddi Police are moving from reactive engagement to proactive engagement”.
A short film on the theme ‘Jagriti‘ was also displayed on the occasion.
Rajesh Sharma, Secretary to the Governor, Richa Verma, CEO, BBNDA, Kritika Kulhari, Deputy Commissioner, Solan and officials of Police and district administration were also present on the occasion.
