Kerala: Summer vacation starts on disastrous note

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the beginning of summer vacation, drowning incidents involving students have spiralled across Kerala. Four teenagers lost their lives in deep waters in a week in Thiruvananthapuram. On Sunday, three girls drowned at a quarry pond near Pallickal while clicking photographs. A day later, a teenager drowned at Aruvippuram. None of the victims knew swimming. 

Studies say that a child taking formal swimming can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent. As per National Crime Records Bureau statistics, nearly 1,800 people drown in water bodies annually in the state and most of them are minors.
"Parents would rather send children to learn music instruments or computer than swimming during vacation. This attitude leads to a bunch of youngsters who become more susceptible to drowning," said S. Chandrakanth, a former swimming coach.

Some opine that school reforms that give grace marks to those knowing swimming can be a game changer. The 'swim and survive' programme by the state government to teach swimming at schools using makeshift pools had fallen flat. Following frequent incidents of drowning, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights had asked the government to implement guidelines to ensure the safety of swimmers in local water bodies. However, none of this is being implemented.