From seals to survival: "India's Cinderella stamp advocacy in the global tuberculosis eradication movement: A visual and historical examination"

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of humanity's oldest and deadliest infectious diseases, yet its history is not written solely in medical texts and epidemiological tables. An extraordinary parallel narrative exists in philately-through tuberculosis seals and Christmas seals-those documents global social conscience, public health advocacy, and collective responsibility. This article traces the evolution of TB seals from their inception in early twentieth-century Europe to their widespread global adoption and eventual indigenization in India. Emphasis is placed on the sequential development of designs, symbolism, printing practices, fundraising strategies, and socio-cultural adaptations, particularly within the Indian context. TB seals emerge not merely as Cinderella stamps, but as enduring witnesses to a worldwide crusade against disease, stigma, and neglect.