Story Behind Eradication of Polio Virus | Harsh Vardhan Goel | TEDxBITSGoa

Watch Dr. Harsh Vardhan take us on a deeply personal journey - from a doctor who once asked himself "if medicine can heal one patient at a time, can public office heal millions?" , to the man who helped make India polio-free. In this powerful talk, he traces his battle against polio, beginning on the night he learned that India was home to 60% of the world's polio cases and resolved that scale could never be an excuse for surrender. From immunizing 1.2 million children in Delhi in a single day to protecting 134 million children nationwide, he recounts the human effort behind India's historic victory. Then he turns to COVID-19, drawing profound lessons on trust, humility, and collective action. Harsh Vardhan is an Indian physician, public health advocate, and former Union Minister who has played a significant role in shaping healthcare and science policy in India. Trained as an ENT surgeon, he began his career in medicine before transitioning into public service, where he became widely recognized for leading large-scale public health initiatives and advancing healthcare awareness. Over the years, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has held several key ministerial portfolios, contributing to national conversations around healthcare, science, technology, and governance. His work reflects a commitment to public welfare, preventive healthcare, and evidence-driven policymaking, making him a prominent voice at the intersection of medicine, leadership, and social impact. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx