Empowering Change: Jyotsna Halder's Groundbreaking Leadership in Child Care

Jyotsna Halder, the woman pradhan of Maipith Baikunthapur gram panchayat in the Sunderbans, has been awarded the prestigious 'India Child Care Champion Award 2025'. The accolade, presented at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi, recognizes her innovative efforts in child drowning prevention.

Significantly, Halder's leadership marks a departure from traditional norms, as she is the first woman panchayat head in India to launch a community-based drowning prevention program. Supported by organizations like CINI, ICMR, and The George Institute, her initiative has effectively brought zero child injuries or deaths in the area.

This model, acknowledged by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and WHO India, emphasizes the importance of community involvement in children's safety and has set a precedent for scaling across the country.