States » SouthPosted at: Oct 25 2026 1:23PM


India-Australia meet on drowning prevention: Kerala Minister stresses water safety education

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 25 (UNI) Kerala Health and Family Welfare Minister K Muraleedharan on Sunday called for mandatory water safety education for children from an early age, on a par with road safety awareness, stressing that swimming was an essential life-saving skill in a state like Kerala, with its extensive network of rivers, canals and other water bodies.
Inaugurating the India-Australia Technical Committee meeting on drowning prevention here, the Minister stressed the need for comprehensive safety measures at hazardous locations, including quarries, canals, riverbanks and coastal areas, alongside stronger rescue networks and community-based training programmes.
He also called for expanding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, improving ambulance response capabilities and equipping emergency departments with adequate facilities to ensure timely treatment during the critical period following a drowning incident.
Highlighting the need for a broader approach to drowning prevention, Muraleedharan said such initiatives should also be linked with mental health care, counselling services and emergency crisis intervention systems, as not all drowning deaths were accidental.
The Minister underlined the valuable role played by emergency response teams, coastal police personnel and fishermen in rescue operations. Their courage, practical knowledge and familiarity with local water bodies should be formally integrated into rescue networks and community-level training programmes, he said.
The meeting was organised jointly by the Health and Family Welfare Department, the State Health Education Department, the Australian Government, the Royal Life Saving Society Australia and the George Institute for Global Health, Australia.
Health and Family Welfare Department Principal Secretary Sharmila Mary Joseph presided over the function.
Additional Director General of the union Health and Family Welfare Ministry Geetha Anandhan, Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal, Director of Medical Education K V Viswanathan, Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Principal Ranju Ravindran, George Institute for Global Health Injury Programme Head Jagnur Jagnur and Royal Life Saving Society Australia Chief Executive Officer Justin Scarr attended the meeting.
The deliberations brought together policymakers, researchers and practitioners from India and Australia to exchange expertise and strengthen cooperation in drowning prevention.
Seminars and discussions focused on developing effective policies and strategies in both countries to reduce drowning deaths and bring about long-term, sustainable improvements in water safety.
UNI DS
Tags: #India-Australia meet on drowning prevention: Kerala Minister stresses water safety education
More News

Harish Rao has surpassed KCR in telling lies: Mettu Sai Kumar

25 Oct 2026 | 2:37 PM

Hyderabad, Oct 25 (UNI) Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Fisheries Chairman Mettu Sai Kumar launched a sharp attack on BRS leader T Harish Rao, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and holding him equally responsible, along with former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, for the alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project and the collapse of the Medigadda barrage.

see more..

Modi spotlights Kalaburagi tur dal exports to Maldives in Mann Ki Baat

25 Oct 2026 | 2:34 PM

Bengaluru, Oct 25 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the export of Kalaburagi’s tur dal to the Maldives, underscoring the potential of local agricultural produce to reach international markets and create new opportunities for Indian farmers.

see more..

TGSRTC introduces Rs 600 weekly bus pass in Hyderabad

25 Oct 2026 | 2:23 PM

Hyderabad, Oct 25 (UNI) The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) has introduced a weekly bus pass priced at Rs 600 to provide an affordable and convenient travel option for commuters, tourists and business visitors travelling within the Greater Hyderabad region.

see more..

Rain boosts inflows into three Karnataka reservoirs, Almatti gets none

25 Oct 2026 | 2:23 PM

Bengaluru, Oct 25 (UNI) Rainfall has boosted inflows into three key reservoirs in Karnataka's Cauvery basin, with KRS, Kabini and Harangi recording fresh inflows, while Almatti in Vijayapura district received none, highlighting the uneven water situation across the state.

see more..

T’gana BJP president urges graduates to register as voters; Rekha Sharma announces BJP Maha Padayatra

25 Oct 2026 | 2:22 PM

Hyderabad, Oct 25 (UNI) BJP Telangana State president N Ramchander Rao on Sunday urged eligible graduates to register as voters for the upcoming Legislative Council elections in the Mahabubnagar-Rangareddy-Hyderabad and Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda constituencies, while stressing the importance of strengthening democracy.

see more..