Purba Medinipur : The Moyna Block Administration on Thursday brought together Panchayats, government departments, frontline workers and community representatives for a multi-sectoral consultation to strengthen local action on drowning prevention. Child In Need Institute (CINI), with support from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), UK, provided technical inputs and shared field-level experience at the consultation held at the BDO Office Conference Hall.
“Preventing drowning and saving lives requires coordinated action at the local level. We welcome the support of CINI and RNLI in strengthening this lifesaving initiative in Moyna. The Block Administration will continue to work with Panchayats, government departments and communities to take this effort forward,” said Shri Jagannath Biswas, Block Development Officer, Moyna.
The urgency of the issue was reflected in two contrasting experiences shared at the meeting. Two children who had nearly drowned last week and were rescued in time attended the consultation with their mother. As the children played inside the conference hall, their mother recounted how timely intervention had brought them safely back to her. Later, a grandmother who had recently lost her grandchild to drowning broke down while sharing her experience. The accounts of survival and loss brought a human dimension to the consultation, underscoring the importance of prevention, timely rescue and lifesaving skills.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Block Administration, Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti and Gram Panchayats, along with officials and frontline workers from health services, police, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), school education and other departments. ASHA workers, Civil Defence Volunteers, Child Parliament members and community representatives also participated. Among those present were Shri Jagannath Biswas, BDO, Moyna; Shri Goutam Guru, Sabhapati, Panchayat Samiti; Shri Abhijit Adhok, Zilla Parishad Member; and Dr Partha Sarathi Giri, Member, Drowning Prevention Mentoring Team, West Bengal. CINI’s drowning prevention team also participated in the consultation.
Shri Prasanta Chakraborty, Additional District Magistrate (Development), Purba Medinipur, conveyed his best wishes for the initiative. Although he was unable to attend the consultation due to pressing official responsibilities, he expressed his interest in such drowning prevention efforts being taken forward in the district.
The consultation combined discussion with practical lifesaving demonstrations. Experts explained the physiology of drowning, why the first few minutes following rescue are critical and the importance of immediate resuscitation. ASHA workers demonstrated resuscitation and first aid, while Civil Defence Volunteers demonstrated safe rescue techniques.
Evidence on drowning in West Bengal and experiences from community-based prevention efforts were also shared. Discussions focused on identifying high-risk water bodies and locations, strengthening child safety, improving rescue and resuscitation skills and increasing community awareness.
The consultation concluded with a shared understanding on strengthening local drowning prevention efforts through the existing administrative, Panchayat and community systems in Moyna. As the meeting ended, the two children rescued from drowning only days earlier were still playing inside the hall — a reminder of what timely rescue and lifesaving action can achieve.
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