09-10-2026:Address by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand National Conference and Policy Dialogue on Tuberculosis

Jai Hind!

It is a matter of great pleasure for me to have this opportunity to engage in a dialogue on a subject of immense importance for human life and the healthy future of our society, here in Rishikesh—on the sacred land of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and on the pristine banks of Maa Ganga—with distinguished experts from across the country in the fields of medicine, science and healthcare.

At the outset, I extend my warm greetings and heartily welcome all of you to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.

Rishikesh is not only a global centre of yoga and spirituality; it is also a living embodiment of our timeless Indian tradition of healing, introspection and human welfare. In the Indian worldview, health has never been understood merely as the absence of disease. It is seen as a state of harmony and balance between the body, mind and soul.

Even our prayers embody the aspiration that all humanity may remain healthy and happy:

“Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah;
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kashchid-Duhkha-Bhag-Bhavet.”

May all be happy, may all be free from disease, may all see what is auspicious, and may no one suffer.

I believe that this is also the fundamental spirit of today’s national dialogue—to harness the power of science, the potential of technology and the sensitivity of society to build an India where every individual has the right and the opportunity to live a healthy life.

Friends,

Tuberculosis, or TB, is not merely a medical challenge. It is also a human, social and economic challenge. Its impact does not remain confined to the body of the patient; it affects the family, livelihood, self-confidence and social life of the individual as well.

Therefore, our fight against TB cannot be limited to medicines and diagnostic tests alone. It can be decisively won only through awareness, early detection, appropriate treatment, adequate nutrition, continuous monitoring and the active participation of society.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, while emphasising the importance of public participation in the fight against TB, has said: “Our campaign against TB can succeed only through the efforts of everyone.” This spirit of collective participation is one of the greatest strengths behind the vision of a TB-free India.

Initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Nikshay Poshan Yojana, Nikshay Mitra initiative and TB Mukt Panchayat have played an important role in taking the campaign towards becoming a people’s movement. In Uttarakhand too, the active participation of Nikshay Mitras and sustained efforts towards public awareness are sending a positive message.

However, today’s conference also places before us another important question: Can we make the diagnosis of TB faster, more accurate and more effective?

My clear answer is—yes.

And this is where the transition from phenotypic testing to genomic testing assumes significance.

Phenotypic testing helps assess the susceptibility of the pathogen to different drugs. Genomic testing, on the other hand, can play an important role in identifying genetic markers associated with drug resistance. Particularly in the detection of drug-resistant TB, such technology can be extremely valuable in determining the appropriate course of treatment.

For me, the significance of this is not merely scientific—it is also about the quality and timeliness of decision-making.

From my experience in the Armed Forces, I would like to make one observation: the right information at the right time is the foundation of the right decision.

When facing a challenge on the frontiers, if information arrives late, its value diminishes.

The same principle applies to healthcare. The earlier and more accurately a disease is identified, the sooner and more effectively the appropriate treatment decision can be taken.

Therefore, genomic testing should not be viewed merely as a new technology. It should be seen as a means of enabling the right treatment to reach the patient at the right time.

And here, I would particularly like to emphasise one point:

The true success of technology lies not in its complexity, but in the lives it saves.

We face unique geographical challenges in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. In mountainous regions, distance, difficult terrain, weather conditions and transportation challenges can affect access to healthcare services.

But I firmly believe:

Where geography creates a barrier, technology must create a pathway.

The use of drone technology by AIIMS Rishikesh to deliver TB medicines to remote areas is an inspiring example of this approach. It demonstrates that when medical science, technology and administrative will come together, difficult geography need not remain a permanent barrier to healthcare delivery.

From today’s dialogue, I have a few clear expectations.

One of the most important is that the capacity for genomic testing at institutions such as AIIMS Rishikesh should be further strengthened, enabling it to emerge as an important centre of healthcare innovation for the Himalayan region.

At the same time, serious efforts should be undertaken to explore the use of drones and other modern technologies for the rapid transportation of samples from remote mountainous areas to testing centres.

We must also pay special attention to communities and groups where delays in TB diagnosis are more likely. By better integrating diagnostic processes with Nikshay and other digital health systems, we can make the entire journey—from diagnosis to treatment and treatment monitoring—more efficient and effective.

For this, it is equally essential to continuously strengthen the capacities of doctors, laboratory specialists, technical personnel and frontline health workers.

However, the real measure of success of all these efforts should not be the number of machines installed or the number of tests conducted.

The real questions should be:

How quickly was the patient correctly diagnosed?
How soon was the right treatment initiated?
And how many lives were improved as a result?

This is the perspective that connects technology with systems, and systems with human outcomes.

Friends,

I would particularly like to acknowledge the contribution of our healthcare workers.

In the fight against TB, doctors and specialists play a vital role, but equally important are those health workers who travel from village to village and house to house, engage with communities, encourage people to undergo testing and help ensure continuity of treatment.

They are the frontline warriors of our healthcare system.

Similarly, Nikshay Mitras and TB Champions bring the essential element of human compassion to this campaign.

Society must understand that distancing oneself from a person suffering from TB is not the solution.

A person suffering from TB deserves dignity, not pity.
They need support, not isolation.
They need confidence, not fear.

We must also eliminate the social misconceptions and stigma associated with TB.

Alongside fighting the disease, we must fight the mindset that isolates a patient from society.

Today, the need is for everyone—from the government to medical institutions, from the scientific community to healthcare workers, and from panchayats to ordinary citizens—to move forward with a shared objective.

I see this national dialogue not merely as a platform for discussion, but as a bridge between policy and outcomes.

Our direction must be clear:

Let discussion lead to decisions.
Let decisions lead to action plans.
Let action plans lead to pilot projects.
Let pilots generate evidence.
And let evidence shape policies that reach the last person in the country.

If we can achieve this, today’s conference will not remain merely an event. It will be remembered as an important step in the evolution of health policy in the country.

I firmly believe that AIIMS Rishikesh can play a leadership role in this endeavour.

An effective healthcare model emerging from Rishikesh can serve not only Uttarakhand but also other mountainous and remote regions across the country.

We must also remember that a healthy India is the strongest foundation for a developed India.

And the dream of a healthy India can be realised only when every citizen has access to quality healthcare, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Let us therefore not merely resolve to fight TB.

Let us resolve to build a healthcare system that combines science with sensitivity, technology with accessibility, and innovation with compassion—and above all, respect for every human life.

Let us work together to build an Uttarakhand where the height of the mountains never becomes a limitation to access to healthcare.

Let us build an India where the ultimate purpose of technology is not to demonstrate the capability of machines, but to safeguard human life.

Together, let us move towards a TB-free Uttarakhand and realise the vision of “Healthy Uttarakhand, Prosperous Uttarakhand.”

And by fulfilling our collective resolve for a TB-free India, let us move towards the larger goal of “Healthy India, Empowered India.”

With this appeal and this resolve, I conclude my address.

Vande Mataram!
Jai Hind!