Thousands of individuals signed a petition handed to President Droupadi Murmu to commemorate World Drowning Prevention Day, recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in April 2021. The theme for this year is “Unite to turn the tide.” The UN reports that over 300,000 lives are lost to drowning annually, approximately 30 per hour, with nearly a quarter being children under five years old.
The Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention aims to reduce drowning fatalities by 35% by 2035. Despite this goal, the UN highlights that the day often receives little attention, with limited awareness in educational institutions. In India, the Hemant Bala Advaitha Foundation (HBA) spearheaded the petition, advocating for safety measures at tourist spots, proper labeling of water zones, and the presence of lifeguards to prevent drowning incidents.
The HBA also conducted an awareness session at Vihswa Bharati Public School in Noida, where numerous students pledged to adhere to safety protocols during adventurous activities. Former Arunachal Pradesh Governor and ex-J&K L-G Brigadier B.D. Mishra (Retd.), along with Major General K.K. Sinha (Retd.), and HBA representatives Sudesh Verma and Renu Kaul Verma, emphasized the significance of safety awareness in adventure sports. The HBA’s inception followed the tragic loss of the Vermas’ son Advaitha to drowning in 2024 at Pawna Lake near Lonavala, Pune.
