World Drowning Prevention Day: HBA petitions President Murmu for water safety reforms
Synopsis
Thousands of Indians signed a petition to President Droupadi Murmu demanding lifeguards, danger-zone labelling, and tourist-site safety measures — submitted by a foundation born from personal tragedy. The HBA was founded after Sudesh and Renu Kaul Verma lost their son Advaitha to drowning at Pawna Lake in 2024, turning grief into a national campaign on a day the UN says too often goes unnoticed.
Key Takeaways
The Hemant Bala Advaitha Foundation (HBA) submitted a petition signed by thousands to President Droupadi Murmu on World Drowning Prevention Day .
The petition demands lifeguard deployment, water-zone labelling, and safety measures at tourist sites across India.
The UN estimates drowning kills more than 3,00,000 people annually — nearly 30 every hour — with children under five among the most vulnerable.
The Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention targets a 35% reduction in drowning deaths by 2035 .
The HBA was founded after the Vermas lost their son Advaitha to drowning at Pawna Lake, Lonavala in 2024 .
Hundreds of students at Vishwa Bharati Public School, Noida pledged water safety commitments at an HBA awareness event.
The Hemant Bala Advaitha Foundation (HBA) on Saturday, 26 July 2025, submitted a petition signed by thousands of citizens to President Droupadi Murmu, urging urgent water safety reforms across India on World Drowning Prevention Day. The petition called for mandatory lifeguard deployment, labelling of water zones, and enhanced safety measures at tourist sites. This year's theme — 'Unite to Turn the Tide' — reflects the United Nations' push to make drowning prevention a global public health priority.
The Scale of the Crisis
According to the United Nations, drowning claims more than 3,00,000 lives every year — roughly 30 deaths every hour — with nearly a quarter of victims being children under five years of age. Globally, drowning ranks among the 10 leading causes of death for children aged between 5 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.
Global Target and Awareness Gap
The Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention has set an ambitious target to reduce drowning deaths by 35 per cent by 2035. However, the UN has noted that the day frequently goes unnoticed, with limited awareness campaigns in schools and colleges — a gap the HBA is actively working to close in India. Notably, the UN General Assembly formally declared World Drowning Prevention Day in April 2021, yet mainstream awareness remains thin.
What the Petition Demands
The HBA's petition to President Murmu requested that she direct relevant ministries and authorities to implement concrete preventive measures. These include deploying trained lifeguards at high-risk water bodies, clearly labelling danger zones near rivers and lakes, and enforcing safety standards at adventure tourism sites across the country. The petition was backed by thousands of signatories, reflecting growing public concern over preventable drowning deaths.
Awareness Drive at Noida School
A day before the petition submission, on Friday, HBA representatives addressed students of Vishwa Bharati Public School in Noida, where hundreds of students pledged to follow water safety protocols during adventurous activities. The event was addressed by Former Arunachal Pradesh Governor and former Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Brigadier B.D. Mishra (Retd.), Major General K.K. Sinha (Retd.), and HBA representatives Sudesh Verma and Renu Kaul Verma, all of whom stressed the critical importance of safety awareness in adventure sports.
The Foundation's Origin
The HBA was established after Sudesh Verma and Renu Kaul Verma lost their son Advaitha to drowning in 2024 in the turbulent waters of Pawna Lake near Lonavala, Pune. Since its launch, the foundation has broadened its mission beyond drowning prevention to highlight other preventable causes of death, including road accidents and natural disasters. The Vermas' personal tragedy has become the driving force behind what is now a national awareness campaign.
With the petition now before the President, advocates and safety experts will be watching whether the Centre translates public pressure into policy action ahead of the 2035 global target.
Point of View
Even as the UN flags it as a leading killer of children aged 5 to 14. The HBA petition is significant not because a petition to the President guarantees action, but because it forces the question into the public record. The real test is whether the Centre responds with enforceable standards — mandatory lifeguards at notified water bodies, for instance — or whether this joins the long queue of awareness campaigns that produce pledges but not policy. Pawna Lake, where Advaitha Verma drowned in 2024, is one of dozens of unregulated adventure tourism sites across Maharashtra alone. Until liability and regulation follow awareness, the 2035 target of a 35% reduction in drowning deaths will remain aspirational.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Drowning Prevention Day and when is it observed?
World Drowning Prevention Day is observed annually on 25 July. It was formally declared by the United Nations General Assembly in April 2021 to raise global awareness about drowning as a preventable public health crisis.
What does the HBA petition to President Murmu demand?
The petition urges President Droupadi Murmu to direct relevant ministries and authorities to deploy trained lifeguards at high-risk water bodies, label water danger zones, and enforce safety standards at adventure tourism sites. It was signed by thousands of citizens and submitted on 26 July 2025.
What is the Hemant Bala Advaitha Foundation (HBA)?
The HBA is a foundation established by Sudesh Verma and Renu Kaul Verma after they lost their son Advaitha to drowning in 2024 at Pawna Lake near Lonavala, Pune. The foundation works to prevent drowning and other avoidable causes of death through awareness campaigns and policy advocacy.
How many people die from drowning globally each year?
According to the United Nations, drowning claims more than 3,00,000 lives annually — roughly 30 deaths every hour. Nearly a quarter of victims are children under five, and drowning is among the top 10 causes of death for children aged 5 to 14 worldwide.
What is the global target for reducing drowning deaths?
The Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention has set a target to reduce drowning deaths by 35 per cent by 2035. The UN has noted, however, that awareness of the issue remains limited, particularly in schools and colleges.
