On the occasion of World Health Day, the Child in Need Institute (CINI) organized a powerful street drama in front of South City College to highlight the urgent need for CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and drowning prevention as a critical public health priority.
The performance, titled “Ghum Bhangano Gaan” (The Song to Wake Us Up), used satire, emotion, and everyday narratives to bring attention to an often-overlooked reality—while visible tragedies draw attention, many drowning deaths, especially among children, continue to happen silently.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), drowning claims an estimated 300,000 lives every year globally, making it one of the leading causes of death among children and young people. In India, the burden remains significant, yet under-recognized.
In West Bengal, the situation is particularly concerning. Recent evidence indicates that around 25 people die from drowning every day, including nearly 12 children—many of these incidents occurring within close proximity to their homes.
Reflecting on the performance, a college student from the audience, Swarnava, said:“Do we always wait for a tragedy to start valuing prevention? Nobody told us that this issue is so serious—and why are we not raising our voices enough for these children?”
The street drama also paid tribute to those who lost their lives to drowning, reinforcing the message that timely CPR can make the difference between life and death.
The recent tragic loss of eminent Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Bandyopadhyay and young Zubeen Garg serves as a reminder that drowning can affect anyone, and immediate response is critical.
A live demonstration of CPR was also conducted during the event, engaging the audience and showing how simple, timely actions can save lives in emergency situations.
Speaking on the occasion, Sujoy Roy, Lead – Injury Prevention & National Advocacy Officer at CINI, said: “Every day, one classroom of children goes missing to drowning in West Bengal. CPR is not just a skill,it is a shared responsibility. If more people know it, more lives can be saved.”
The Government of India has already issued guidelines recognising drowning as a public health concern and encouraging preventive action. There is growing momentum towards wider implementation of such measures.
Until then, CINI, with support from global leader Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), will continue to strengthen community capacity, build awareness, and promote life-saving skills across vulnerable regions.
Over the years, CINI has been working at the grassroots level to build a network of trained community responders across West Bengal. Today, thousands of trained lifesavers are equipped to respond during emergencies—marking a shift from awareness to action.
The initiative remains focused on public awareness and life-saving skills, aiming to encourage communities to act early and prevent avoidable deaths. As echoed through the performance: “This is not just a street play—this is a wake-up call.”