HBA Foundation to launch national campaign on World Drowning Prevention Day
The campaign is inspired by the tragic death of 18-year-old music prodigy Advaitha Verma, who drowned in Pawna Lake, Lonavala, in June 2024. His parents, Sudesh Verma and Renu Kaul Verma, have channelled their loss into a mission to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies.
'With every drowning, our society must rise like a symphony—not in silence, but in solidarity," said Sudesh Verma. 'Each life saved will be a tribute to Advaitha—and to thousands like him whose dreams were silenced by preventable tragedies." According to the Foundation, India reports nearly 38,000 drowning deaths each year.
As part of the campaign, the foundation has also announced Advaitha -The Symphony Music Award 2025, a national singing competition aimed at teen vocalists aged 15–19.
The event will use music as a medium to spread awareness about water safety and drowning prevention.
The finale will be held on September 6 at Azad Bhawan, near ITO in the national capital.
view comments
First Published:
July 24, 2025, 16:15 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
12 minutes ago
- News18
Dhurandhar Shoot Halted; 100 Crew Members Of Ranveer Singh Film Hospitalised In Leh: Report
Last Updated: Over 100 crew members of Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar hospitalised in Leh after food poisoning; film shoot stalled ahead of its December 5 release. Ranveer Singh's upcoming big-ticket film Dhurandhar has hit an unexpected roadblock. The Aditya Dhar directorial, which also stars R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun, faced a serious health scare on set. On Sunday evening, August 17, over 100 crew members were rushed to Sajal Narbu Memorial (SNM) Hospital in Leh after suffering from severe abdominal pain, vomiting and headaches. Doctors later confirmed it was a case of mass food poisoning. According to IANS, officials stated: 'Over 100 workers of a Bollywood film crew were hospitalised in Leh after a suspected case of food poisoning late Sunday evening." Republic reported that the incident took place on the sets of Dhurandhar. A senior doctor from the hospital added, 'We managed the patient rush effectively. The police also stepped in to regulate the overcrowded emergency ward and prevent panic." What Happened on Dhurandhar Set in Leh The crew was busy filming sequences in Leh when several members suddenly fell ill, forcing an immediate halt to production. With over 100 affected workers, medical teams and police quickly stepped in to handle the crisis. Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported, though the shoot remains paused until the situation stabilises. This development has cast a shadow on the high-profile project, which has been one of the most anticipated Bollywood releases of the year. Fans have expressed concern on social media, hoping for the speedy recovery of those hospitalised. Dhurandhar Release Date and Box Office Clash Despite the disruption, Dhurandhar is still slated to release on December 5, 2025. The teaser, unveiled on Ranveer Singh's birthday, already generated buzz with its scale and ensemble cast. However, the film won't enjoy a solo release. It faces stiff competition from Vishal Bhardwaj's untitled project with Shahid Kapoor, releasing on the same day. Adding to the clash, Prabhas' The Raja Saab is scheduled to hit screens a day later on December 6, 2025, though speculation suggests it may be postponed. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
News18
42 minutes ago
- News18
Is Taylor Swift Dropping ‘The Life Of A Showgirl' Single Tonight? Countdown Hits 11:30 PM IST
Last Updated: Taylor Swift's new website countdown ends at 2 p.m. ET (11:30 p.m. IST), sparking speculation of a single, video or surprise reveal tied to her album Showgirl. Taylor Swift has sent her fans into yet another frenzy with a mysterious countdown that appeared on her official website on Monday. The countdown, shimmering in a shade of purple that matches the 'It's Rapturous" variant of her upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl, has sparked multiple theories across social media. The timer, which began at 10 a.m. ET, is set to end at 2 p.m. ET, which translates to 11:30 p.m. IST for Indian Swifties. While the pop icon has not confirmed what the countdown is leading to, the timing and style of the teaser have convinced many that something major is about to drop. Swifties Speculate: Single, Music Video or Merch? Fans are buzzing with speculation about whether the countdown could be marking the release of the lead single from The Life of a Showgirl. Others are hoping for a surprise music video or even a documentary announcement. Some believe it may simply signal a new wave of glittering merchandise. The timing of the countdown adds to the intrigue. A 2 p.m. ET (11:30 p.m. IST) reveal on a Monday is unusual for Swift, who often chooses symbolic dates and times for her announcements. Theories are running wild, with fans dissecting every detail from the website design to the purple hue of the timer. The Life of a Showgirl: What We Know So Far Swift unveiled the cover of her highly anticipated 12th studio album moments after her guest appearance on Travis Kelce's New Heights podcast on August 13. The cover shows her submerged in bathwater wearing a jeweled corset, perfectly matching the album's diamond-dripping, Elizabeth Taylor-inspired vibe. The record, set for release on October 3, will feature 12 tracks including a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter. Four alternate vinyl editions are already available for pre-order on her site: the 'Sweat and Vanilla Perfume" edition, the 'It's Frightening" edition, the 'It's Rapturous" edition, and the 'It's Beautiful" edition. In her podcast appearance, Swift described the album as 'a lot more upbeat, and it's a lot more fun pop excitement," adding: 'My main goals were melodies that were so infectious, you're almost angry at it … This is the record I've been wanting to make for a very long time." With weeks to go before Showgirl officially drops, the countdown has only heightened excitement. Whether it's a lead single, a video, or another surprise, one thing is certain — Swifties will be glued to their screens at 11:30 p.m. IST to see what unfolds. First Published: August 18, 2025, 22:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Coolie Box Office Day 5: Rajinikanth Film Sees Huge Monday Drop, Collects Rs 8.37 Cr
Rajinikanth's Coolie faces a sharp dip on its first Monday, earning Rs 8.37 crore in India. Despite competition and mixed reviews, the film rides on star power. Coolie Box Office Collection Day 5: Rajinikanth's latest outing Coolie faced its first major test at the box office as it entered the weekdays. After showing a dip on Sunday, the film witnessed a sharp fall on its first Monday, collecting Rs 8.37 crore across all languages in India, according to early estimates by The decline was expected, but the numbers have raised concerns about the film's long-term sustainability given the intense competition from Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR's War 2. Despite this, the film has managed to stay ahead of War 2 since release, riding on Rajinikanth's massive fan base and celebratory buzz around his 50 years in cinema. Coolie Box Office Day 5 Report On its first Monday, Coolie recorded just 62,000 ticket sales across India. In comparison, Amaran registered nearly 30% higher sales on its first Monday, while Vijay's Leo sold 4.8 lakh tickets and Rajinikanth's own Jailer topped with 6.38 lakh tickets, according to This puts Coolie behind recent Tamil blockbusters in weekday ticket sales. However, trade analysts believe Rajinikanth's loyal fan following and strong festive bookings in Tamil Nadu could keep the film afloat in the coming weeks. To enter the elite Rs 600 crore club, however, the film will need exceptional holds during its second and third weeks. Coolie Review & Audience Buzz While the film's box office performance has shown a downward trend, the response from fans has been largely positive. The climax in particular has become the biggest talking point, featuring Aamir Khan's much-hyped cameo alongside unexpected plot twists. News18 Showsha's review praised the film, writing: 'The climax is packed not just with action, but the famous cameo appearance by Aamir Khan. The plot twists don't end there. Wait till you watch the tail-end scene to be taken back in time. Overall, Lokesh Kanagaraj has managed to bring a banger to the theatres that need to be enjoyed on the big screen with a hall filled with Rajini fans." The film was rated 4 out of 5 stars. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie follows Deva, a former gold smuggler who tries to reclaim his past glory by reviving his old gang with stolen technology hidden in vintage golden watches. However, his ambition leads to unforeseen consequences, setting the stage for Rajinikanth's larger-than-life performance. As the film moves ahead, all eyes will be on whether Rajinikanth's stardom alone can help Coolie maintain momentum in the coming days. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
