Coal Miners Day is to honour and recognize the hard work and sacrifices of coal miners who work tirelessly to extract coal from the earth. Every year on May 4, this day is observed as National Coal Miners Day in India. It is a day set aside to recognise the economic value of coal miners and the challenges they encounter while working underground.

One of India's most crucial sectors is coal mining since it supplies a sizable amount of the energy needed to drive the country's development. Although the coal mining sector has played a significant role in India's economic growth, coal miners' labour is frequently undervalued.

On this National Coal Miners Day, we honour these dedicated people who have contributed significantly to India's economic development. Let's examine the significance of Coal Miners Day in India and the difficulties that coal miners encounter in more detail.

Coal Miners Day History: George Bruce of Carnock, Scotland, developed the world's first coal mine in 1575, and ever since then, the coal mining sector has experienced exponential growth.

The East India Company began exploiting the Raniganj coalfield in Asansol and Durgapur in 1774, close to the banks of the Damodar River, which connects Jharkhand and West Bengal. The Raniganj coal mines served as the epicentre of India's industrial revolution, and the industry made a substantial contribution to the economic expansion and prosperity of the nation.

Every year on May 4, India honours the contributions made by coal miners to the development of the country. The day was first marked in 2017 after being proclaimed National Coal Miners Day by the Indian government. Since then, a variety of events and programmes are held on this day to celebrate and honour the commitment and labour of coal miners.

On this day, we honour the coal mine workers who have made important contributions to the sector and recognise the difficulties mine workers must overcome. Additionally, it serves as a day to raise awareness of how crucial workplace safety and laws are to protecting coal miners' health.
Significance of Coal Miners Day: The purpose of Coal Miners Day is to celebrate and recognise the contribution coal miners have made to our society. The world in which we now live has been significantly shaped by the coal mining industry. More than 36% of the world's power is generated from coal, which is also a crucial component of many other industries like cement, paper, steel, and aluminium.

The hard work and dedication of coal miners, who form the backbone of the business, have aided global advancement. Despite the fact that contemporary technology has increased mining efficiency, it is still a dangerous vocation. The hazardous and unsafe working conditions that coal miners continue to endure endanger their lives.

Coal miners in India are protected by the Mines Act of 1952, Mine Rules of 1955, and Coal Mine Regulation of 1957. These rules specify the conditions for the welfare, health, and safety of miners of coal, oil, and metal. They outline the minimum pay, working conditions, hiring of women, paid time off, and penalties for owners who break the law.

In India, we honour coal miners on Coal Miners Day and recognise their accomplishments as well as the difficulties they endure. We also promote awareness of the value of safety laws in the mining sector to protect the health and safety of coal miners. Meetings of the Standing Committee on Safety in Coal Mines are held frequently each year to discuss transgressions and advance a secure workplace.

Coal Miners Day is an opportunity to identify and honor the hard work and sacrifices of coal miners. It is a day set aside to raise awareness of the value of the coal mining sector and to promote safety for miners. Let's all pause for a moment to honour the coal miners who have significantly impacted our society.