Dr. Bhaskar Mitra’s book “From Seals to Survival: Echoes of the Unspoken Crusade Against TB in India” was released by the Bengal Tuberculosis Association (BTA) at the Kolkata Press Club. It provides a unique and captivating look into India’s protracted and changing battle against tuberculosis.

The book details the government-issued postal seals and stamps that are produced every year on October 2 to raise awareness of tuberculosis, as well as India’s progress towards TB awareness through medical philately. The compilation, which covers an incredible period from 1940 to 2025, compiles a sizable collection of TB seals that were formerly effective public health instruments that sent messages of responsibility, prevention, and optimism to millions of people nationwide.

The book, written by renowned medical philatelist and consultant pathologist Dr. Bhaskar Mitra, goes beyond archive material. The narratives behind the designs are examined, encompassing the artists, imaginative ideas, yearly themes, and nationwide campaigns that represented India’s public health concerns across several decades. These designs were created by a number of well-known artists, making the seals both cultural and medical objects.

The book also chronicles India’s long-standing battle with tuberculosis, which was formerly a serious public health concern, and charts the country’s development toward better control and current near-safe zone status. The book illustrates the development, background, and legacy of India’s TB eradication efforts with illustrations and stories.

Dr. Ranjan Das, Chairman, West Bengal Tuberculosis Association, said, “This book serves as a potent reminder of India’s decades-long dedication to fighting tuberculosis in addition to being a compilation of postal seals. It eloquently explains how public health, art, and awareness came together to uplift communities and save lives. Such programs encourage future generations to keep up the fight against tuberculosis while also preserving our medical legacy”.

The Bengal Tuberculosis Association was established in 1929 and has been a trailblazer in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, especially for marginalized people. The book launch demonstrated BTA’s unwavering dedication to public health and established the publication as an important part of India’s medical, social, and public health history, making it a tale with lasting significance and national importance.

The price of the book is Rs 2500.

Priyanka Dutta