Centre's Drowning Prevention Strategy Takes Root in Bengal; UK Experts Visit Dakshin Dinajpur to Hear Community Voices....

South Dinajpur, 04 June 2026: Representatives of the United Kingdom-based Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) visited Dakshin Dinajpur on Saturday to review community-based drowning prevention initiatives being implemented in West Bengal and to hear first-hand accounts from local residents whose lives have been influenced by life-saving training and safety interventions.

The visit comes against the backdrop of a major global public health challenge. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 300,000 people die from drowning every year worldwide, making it one of the leading yet most neglected causes of preventable deaths. India accounts for a significant share of these fatalities, and West Bengal is considered one of the country's high-risk states.

In response, Child In Need Institute (CINI) has been supporting the implementation of drowning prevention interventions in line with the Government of India's National Strategy for Prevention of Unintentional Injury and WHO recommendations. Through initiatives such as supervised childcare centres (KAVACH), CPR and rescue training, swimming and water safety education, and community awareness programmes, CINI has been working with local communities to reduce preventable deaths and build safer environments for children.

The RNLI delegation, comprising James Paul Young and Phoebe May Chipchase, visited project areas in Dakshin Dinajpur to understand how these interventions are being translated into action at the community level. They were accompanied by Sujoy Roy, Lead Injury Prevention and National Advocacy Officer of CINI.

A community interaction programme was organised in collaboration with Nari Mukti Mahila Samiti. The event was attended by Gangarampur MLA Satyendra Nath Roy, community leaders, master trainers and project participants.

A key highlight of the visit was the launch of a five-day Participatory Video for Most Significant Change (PVMSC) initiative. Under the programme, trained community members will use video storytelling to document how drowning prevention efforts and CPR training have influenced their knowledge, confidence and ability to respond to emergencies. The initiative aims to ensure that community members themselves tell the story of change and help shape future programme learning.

During field interactions, the RNLI representatives met women volunteers and community members who had undergone CPR training. They explored how perceptions around drowning, rescue and emergency response had changed following the training and how local communities are increasingly taking ownership of prevention efforts.

Speaking on the occasion, Sujoy Roy said, "Drowning is not an accident; it is a preventable public health issue. Through collaboration between government agencies, civil society organisations and communities, many avoidable deaths can be prevented. CINI's vision is to contribute towards building a child-friendly society where children can grow up safely and where preventable injuries and deaths are significantly reduced. Today, community members themselves are sharing how life-saving skills such as CPR have strengthened their confidence to act during emergencies.

MLA Satyendra Nath Roy appreciated the initiative and emphasised the importance of strengthening collective efforts to address drowning as a public health concern. He expressed interest in learning more about the work being undertaken across West Bengal and exploring ways to further support such initiatives.

Phoebe May Chipchase of RNLI said that community voices are central to understanding the true impact of any intervention. "When people tell their own stories, those stories become powerful tools for learning, advocacy and change. The PVMSC process creates that opportunity," she said.

The programme also featured cultural performances by members of the local Child Parliament.

Public health experts believe that greater awareness, safer childcare arrangements, CPR training, swimming skills and active community participation can significantly reduce drowning deaths. The ongoing initiative in West Bengal seeks to demonstrate how national policy, local leadership and community action can come together to save lives.