In an extraordinary tribute born from tragedy, the Hemant Bala Advaitha (HBA) Foundation on Friday launched a nationwide drowning prevention awareness campaign to mark the “World Drowning Prevention Day”, an annual global observance declared by the United Nations to raise awareness about one of the world’s most overlooked public health issues.
The initiative was inspired by the heartbreaking loss of 18-year-old Advaitha Verma, a gifted music prodigy, who drowned in Pawna Lake near Lonavala in June 2024.
His parents, Sudesh Verma and Renu Kaul Verma, have chosen to turn their grief into a movement, hoping that no other family endures the pain they now carry.
“Drowning is silent, swift-and preventable,” said Sudesh Verma. “We wants to use our tragedy to warn others. If this campaign saves even one life, Advaitha’s voice will continue to echo.”
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 236,000 people die each year from drowning-making it the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths globally.
More than 90 per cent of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries, where water safety education, supervision and emergency infrastructure remain critically lacking.
In India alone, drowning claims over 38,000 lives annually, with children aged 5 to 14 years being the most vulnerable. Regions such as the Sundarbans in West Bengal have recorded one of the highest drowning mortality rates in the world, with more than three children under nine drowning every single day, according to a 2020 study.
“What is truly alarming,” said Verma, “is that most of these deaths are preventable. Lack of awareness, basic water safety knowledge, and unsafe recreational water bodies are major culprits.”
To commemorate Advaitha’s legacy and connect with young people through a medium he loved-music-the HBA Foundation also launched the Advaitha — A Symphony Music Award 2025, a national singing competition with a message.
Open to Indian vocalists aged 15-19, in Delhi and NCR, the competition encourages youth to create musical entries that raise awareness about drowning prevention.
The deadline for submission is 15 August 2025, and the grand finale will be held in Delhi this September. The top winners will receive trophies, certificates and cash prizes.
“Music was Advaitha’s soul,” said Renu. “Through this contest, we hope his voice will carry forward this life-saving message.”
The HBA Foundation is calling upon schools, music academies, colleges, and youth groups across Delhi and NCR to participate and spread the word. Special mention was made of Symbiosis’s Encore music group, of which Advaitha was a part, inviting its eligible members to honour his memory by participating.
Media houses, influencers, educators, and civil society groups were also urged to lend their voice to the campaign. “We need a national awakening on drowning,” Renu said. “Too many young dreams are being lost to silent waters.