Water safety: Mathilakam’s swim mission enters 11th year

At Mathilakam, learning to swim is more than a summer pastime — it is a life skill that could save lives. For the past decade, the grama panchayat has been turning this simple lesson into a community-wide mission, helping children and adults overcome their fear of water and gain the confidence to stay afloat. Now in its 11th year, the initiative is renewing its push towards an ambitious goal: complete water literacy.The latest edition of the swimming training camp got under way at Polakkulam in Mathilakam, marking another chapter in a model initiative that has trained nearly 1,500 local residents over the past 10 years.Nesiya M. Shahib, Station House Officer of the Mathilakam police station, inaugurated the camp. Mathilakam grama panchayat president Sumathi Sundaran presided over the function.The training programme is being held from October 15 to 25, between 6.30 a.m. and 7.30 a.m., catering to children from Class V upwards and panchayat residents aged above 10.The initiative seeks to make swimming an essential life skill rather than a privilege reserved for a few. By bringing structured training within the reach of local residents, the panchayat hopes to build water confidence and promote awareness of water safety across the community. Published - October 18, 2026 07:13 pm IST