New Delhi, July 25 (IANS) Thousands of people signed a petition and submitted it to President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday to mark World Drowning Prevention Day, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in April 2021. This year’s theme is “Unite to turn the tide”.
According to the UN, drowning claims more than 300,000 lives annually, about 30 every hour, with nearly a quarter being children under five years of age. Globally, it is among the 10 leading causes of death for children aged between five and 14. More than 90 per cent of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools, disproportionately affecting children and adolescents in rural areas.
The Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention has set a target to reduce drowning deaths by 35 per cent by 2035. However, the UN noted that the day often goes unnoticed, with limited awareness in schools and colleges.
In India, the Hemant Bala Advaitha Foundation (HBA) initiated the petition, urging safety measures at tourist sites, labelling of water zones and deployment of lifeguards. The petition requested the President to direct ministries and authorities to take adequate steps to prevent drowning.
The HBA also spread awareness by addressing students of Vihswa Bharati Public School in Noida on Friday, where hundreds of students pledged to adopt safety measures during adventurous activities.
Former Arunachal Pradesh Governor and former J&K L‑G Brigadier B.D. Mishra (Retd.), Major General K.K. Sinha (Retd.), and HBA representatives Sudesh Verma and Renu Kaul Verma addressed the event, stressing the importance of safety awareness in adventure sports.
The HBA was launched after the Vermas lost their son Advaitha to drowning in 2024 in the turbulent waters of Pawna Lake near Lonavala, Pune. The foundation has since expanded its mission to highlight other preventable causes of death, including accidents and disasters.
–IANS
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