Kolkata, July 25, 2026: In a moving tribute on Wlorld Drowning Prevention Day, two community responders who saved the life of a two-year-old girl from drowning in a village pond were honoured at a special programme organised by the Child in Need Institute (CINI) in Kolkata.
The responders, Manju and Sonamoni, acted swiftly after finding the child unconscious in a pond. With immediate support from a local health practitioner, the child received emergency care before being rushed to a government hospital nearly 35 kilometres away, where doctors successfully saved her life. The child’s mother attended the event and emotionally thanked the responders and healthcare workers for giving her daughter a second chance at life.
The event also recognised the bravery of five Kolkata Police personnel for their courageous rescue efforts during recent water-related emergencies. Representing Kolkata Police, Debasish Baidya said trained rescue teams, jet skis and specialised lifesaving equipment are available, while urging the public to remain cautious around rivers, ponds and other water bodies.
Held under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2026 theme, “Unite to Turn the Tide,” the programme marked eight years of CINI’s drowning prevention initiative in West Bengal. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, WHO India, public health experts, government officials and community leaders to strengthen coordinated action against drowning.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Manas Pratim Roy, Assistant Director General, Directorate General of Health Services (MOHFW), and Dr. Mohammed Asheel, National Professional Officer for Injuries at WHO India, stressed the need for evidence-based strategies involving governments, local authorities, emergency responders, researchers and communities.
According to WHO, drowning claims more than 300,000 lives globally every year, with nearly one in four victims being children under five years of age. The organisation aims to reduce global drowning deaths by 35% by 2035.
In India, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recorded 40,044 accidental drowning deaths in 2024, averaging nearly 110 deaths every day.
A 2025 BMJ Global Health study co-authored by Sujoy Roy of CINI estimated that West Bengal witnesses around 9,191 fatal drowning cases annually, with 45% of victims being children aged one to nine years. The research also highlighted major gaps in official records, noting that only 18% of identified drowning deaths had death certificates, and drowning was recorded as the cause of death in just 57% of those certificates.
During the programme, CINI also released the second edition of “The Silent Truth”, a media compendium documenting 907 news reports on drowning incidents across West Bengal. The organisation said the publication represents only a fraction of actual cases, as many incidents in rural areas remain unreported.
Over the past year, CINI has trained more than 8,000 community members and frontline workers in CPR and emergency response while organising 74 awareness programmes across West Bengal in collaboration with government agencies and local communities. Activities included swimming and water safety sessions, CPR demonstrations, rallies, school awareness programmes, community theatre and inclusive initiatives involving persons with disabilities.
The event featured live demonstrations of “Float to Live”, safe rescue techniques and CPR, along with performances by young volunteers promoting water safety. Video messages from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Bloomberg Philanthropies reinforced the importance of research, community participation and lifesaving education.
Dr. Indrani Bhattacharya, Secretary and CEO of CINI, said communities remain the strongest force in preventing drowning tragedies.
“When people are prepared, trained and connected to responsive public services, lives can be saved,” she said.
The programme concluded with a thought-provoking appeal from the elected Chief Minister of a Child Parliament in Dakshin Dinajpur, who asked how far India has progressed in implementing the National Strategic Framework for Drowning Prevention, launched in December 2023. The question served as a powerful reminder that preventing drowning requires sustained action, stronger community preparedness and safer water environments across the country.
