Life is Fun, But One
We lost Advaitha to the turbulent waters of Pawna Lake on 23 June 2024. He was not even 19. Losing a loved one is an indescribable pain one that we do not want anyone else to suffer. Advaitha was an aspiring singer who spread joy wherever he went. His voice, his spirit, and his dreams left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Believing that music is one of the most powerful ways to connect people, we have created the Advaitha – A Symphony Music Award. This award is not only a tribute to his musical passion but also a reminder that life is fragile.
Advaitha’s story is a painful reminder of an often-overlooked danger drowning. More than 38,000 people lose their lives to drowning every year in India. We believe that most of these tragedies can be prevented through awareness and timely action.
Through this platform, we aim to nurture young musical talent, spread awareness about drowning prevention and keep Advaitha’s spirit alive through melodies that matter and actions that save lives.
HBA Foundation Renews Pledge for Nationwide Safety and Disaster Management Education
New Delhi | June 23, 2026— On the solemn occasion of the second remembrance anniversary of 18-year-old Advaitha Verma, the Hemant Bala Advaitha (HBA) Foundation has reaffirmed its core mission to build a resilient, safety-first generation. Through strategic advocacy and cultural outreach, the Foundation is stepping up its efforts to equip children across India with vital, life-saving disaster response and drowning prevention skills.
A Vision for Safer Schools and Empowered Youth
As part of its broader mandate to promote public safety, the HBA Foundation has pledged to work closely with government agencies, educational institutions, and civic stakeholders. The primary objective is to advocate for the formal integration of disaster management and life-saving training into school curricula.
This initiative aims to move beyond traditional academic learning, ensuring that children are practically empowered to protect themselves and their communities during crises. By embedding these skills into early education, HBA seeks to foster a lasting culture of responsibility, emergency preparedness, and community resilience.
Moving Tributes: 'Advaitha – A Symphony' 2026
Transforming deep personal grief into an enduring public crusade, the HBA Foundation has made drowning prevention its defining mission.
To honor his legacy and catalyze public awareness, the Foundation hosted Advaitha – A Symphony at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. The evening beautifully synthesized the power of the arts with a call for collective action.
A Musical Remembrace
Renowned Sufi vocalist Sonam Kalra and her ensemble delivered a deeply moving musical performance.
Grassroots Advocacy
Young theater artists staged an evocative nukkad natak (street play), dynamically illustrating water-related risks, critical safety precautions, and emergency rescue techniques.
Event Gallery – 2026
Photos from Advaitha – A Symphony
Videos from Advaitha – A Symphony
Standing Together for Change
The commemorative event was attended by an array of distinguished leaders, policymakers, and cultural icons who lent their voices to HBA’s lifesaving advocacy:
Our Shared Commitment
Through education, awareness, and relentless policy advocacy, the HBA Foundation and its supporters remain steadfast in their shared commitment:
Life is Fun, But One
We lost Advaitha to the turbulent waters of Pawna Lake on 23 June 2024. He was not even 19. Losing a loved one is an indescribable pain—one that we do not want anyone else to suffer. Advaitha was an aspiring singer who spread joy wherever he went. His voice, his spirit, and his dreams left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Believing that music is one of the most powerful ways to connect people, we have created the Advaitha – The Symphony Music Award. This award is not only a tribute to his musical passion but also a reminder that life is fragile.
Advaitha’s story is a painful reminder of an often-overlooked danger—drowning. More than 38,000 people lose their lives to drowning every year in India. We believe that most of these tragedies can be prevented through awareness and timely action.
A heartfelt tribute to Advaitha
Whose vibrant spirit lives on through these memories. Lost to the waters of Pawna Lake on 23 June 2024, just shy of 19—gone too soon, but never forgotten.
Drowning in India Every Year
Join Our Mission
Support The Cause Or Volunteer
While we are committed to self-funding this initiative, we understand that building a sustainable and far-reaching awareness campaign requires collective support. The loss of Advaitha is deeply personal—but the danger it reflects is universal. This could happen to anyone.
Drowning Awareness: Stay Safe During Your Vacation
When planning an exciting holiday, especially in coastal destinations, it’s important to stay alert while visiting beaches, rivers, and swimming pools. These waters often appear safe, but hidden risks can turn dangerous within seconds. Recent reports highlight a worrying rise in drowning incidents across different parts of India.
Drowning Cases in Goa (Report: June 2025)
North and South Goa—India’s most visited coastal regions—have reported a significant increase in drowning deaths. Many of these incidents occur at popular tourist beaches where strong currents, sudden depth changes, and lack of supervision contribute to accidents.
Key Insight:
A report published in June 2025 revealed 68 drowning deaths in the first five months of 2025 across Goa.
Source:
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/state-reports-68-drownings-in-first-five-months-of-2025/articleshow/121981520.cms
Drowning Incidents in West Bengal (Report: July 2025)
A recent survey has uncovered alarming statistics from West Bengal, indicating that drowning is a major public health concern across the state.
Key Findings:
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Around 25 people die every day in West Bengal due to drowning.
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Half of the victims are children, highlighting a serious safety gap.
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Annually, the state records approximately 9,191 drowning deaths.
These numbers emphasize the urgent need for awareness, supervision, and safety measures around water bodies.
Sources:
thefinancialexpress.com.bd/world/asia/25-die-daily-from-drowning-in-indias-west-bengal-study#google_vignette
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