Angul, Feb 23: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stressed people's participation in the "Nikshay Mitra" programme to achieve TB-Free Angul by 2025-end.

"To make Angul district free of tuberculosis by December 2025, we have to make TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan a mass movement. The target of making the district TB-free can be achieved only through people's participation," said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while launching the "Nikshay Mitra" programme under the district-level Pradhan Mantri Tuberculosis Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in Angul on Sunday.

On the occasion, Pradhan flagged off an awareness chariot for the TB-free Angul district and administered a pledge to the gathering to contribute towards the TB-Free India campaign.

He said President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have called upon people to participate in the TB Free Bharat Campaign to make TB-free India by 2025.

Stating that TB can be cured by modern treatment, Pradhan said nutritious food is the biggest weapon against the disease.

The Union Minister interacted with Gargi, a class IX student of Angul Kendriya Vidyalaya, who volunteered to be part of Nikshay Mitra. Appreciating his spirit of service, he said that Gargi has voluntarily joined "Nikshay Mitra" under Pradhan Mantri Tuberculosis Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and provided nutritious food to TB patients. By taking the responsibility of TB patients, he has set an example of service in the society. Only children with strong willpower and a spirit of service commitment like Gargi can eradicate diseases like tuberculosis from society, Pradhan said and wished Gargi a bright future.

Pradhan appreciated the efforts of ASHA Workers, Vikash Foundation, and other organizations for their involvement in the campaign.

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