Coal India Limited (CIL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, celebrated the resounding success of its flagship CSR initiative, the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY), on World Thalassemia Day 2025. Held at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi, the event spotlighted the scheme’s transformative impact on hundreds of families nationwide by providing free bone marrow transplants (BMT) for children battling thalassemia and aplastic anemia. 

Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, alongside Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, who served as the Guest of Honour. The event drew participation from key government officials, medical professionals, partner hospital representatives, NGOs, and the young beneficiaries of the scheme and their families.  “One State, One Hospital” Vision for TBSY Lauding the scheme’s life-changing potential, Shri Reddy announced an ambitious expansion goal titled “One State, One Hospital” to broaden access to BMTs under TBSY.

He praised Coal India for going beyond conventional CSR, demonstrating deep compassion in addressing a critical public health issue. "TBSY is not just a scheme, it's a beacon of hope," said Reddy, noting that over 700 children have already received free life-saving transplants, most of whom are now leading healthy lives.  Highlighting the scheme’s digital outreach, he referenced CIL’s dedicated online portal for real-time applications and monitoring, complemented by awareness campaigns via pamphlets, posters, and short films targeting rural communities.

Since its inception, the program has expanded from just four hospitals to 17 premier medical institutions across India.  Shri Reddy emphasized the need for a holistic, patient-centric approach to tackle thalassemia. “Prevention is just as vital as cure,” he said, calling for nationwide awareness, early genetic screening, and counseling initiatives to curb the disease in future generations. 

Compassion-Driven Governance Union Minister of State  Satish Chandra Dubey echoed the sentiments, applauding CIL for delivering not just energy but also hope. He described the provision of up to ₹10 lakh in financial support per child as a benchmark for compassionate governance. He also credited the success of the initiative to strategic partnerships with top hospitals and patient advocacy groups such as Thalassemics India. 

Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, emphasized strengthening ties between CIL-run hospitals and BMT centers. She highlighted the need for local capacity building and training to ensure that even families in remote coal-mining regions can access essential treatment. She also noted the global recognition the initiative has garnered and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to a thalassemia-free India. 

Health Ministry Backs Cross-Sectoral Strategies Mr. Harsh Mangla, Director of the National Health Mission, outlined the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s broader strategies for addressing rare genetic disorders like thalassemia and aplastic anemia. He underlined the importance of cross-sector collaboration to maximize outreach and impact. 

In his welcome address, CIL Chairman Shri P.M. Prasad thanked all stakeholders for their continued support, reiterating CIL’s long-term commitment to social welfare. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Vinay Ranjan, Director (HR), CIL, who emphasized the organization’s resolve to scale up its CSR footprint for lasting social change. 

Hospitals and Heroes Honoured Medical experts Dr. Vikram Matthews from CMC Vellore and Dr. Sunil Bhat from Narayana Health Bengaluru shared clinical insights, real-life success stories, and key recommendations for expanding India’s BMT capabilities. Their presentations underscored the severity of thalassemia and the urgent need for greater public and private intervention.  The event also honored top-performing hospitals including Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, Narayana Hrudayalaya Bengaluru, and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Delhi, for their outstanding transplant success rates.

In a poignant moment, 15 young thalassemia warriors were celebrated for their courage, with families of beneficiaries sharing heartfelt testimonies about their journey from despair to hope.  Through the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana, Coal India Limited exemplifies how corporate leadership can catalyze social change — transforming lives and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s health and future.