New Delhi, May 8 -- Gurugram: In Haryana's Mewat district, the familiar 'chai pe charcha' has a new avatar, wrapped in a public health message-'TB pe charcha'. Leading these conversations is 24-year-old Ashok Kumar, a mobile technician who is a tuberculosis (TB) survivor turned advocate.

"When I was diagnosed with TB in 2019, I knew nothing about the disease. I struggled to make sense of it," he says. "By the time I completed my six-month treatment, I had learned enough to help others navigate it."

In 2022, Kumar became a "TB champion", volunteering with the district's TB centre and nonprofits to offer community support. Last year, 60 TB champions across Haryana, including Kumar, came together to form a network to expand their reach. Ri...