Arunay Foundation Named 2025 Nonprofit Of The Year For Beach Safety Work

India-West News Desk

FREMONT, CA- The Arunay Foundation, established by Sharmistha Chakraborty and Tarun Pruthi, has been named the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 24 by Assemblymember Alex Lee. This honor coincided with National Water Safety Month and the birthday month of their late son, Arunay Pruthi, whose untimely death inspired the foundation’s vital mission to improve coastal safety.

On a warm January day in 2021, 12-year-old Arunay was swept away by a sneaker wave while playing at the beach. Despite an exhaustive search, his body was never recovered, leaving his family heartbroken but determined. From their grief, Sharmistha and Tarun transformed sorrow into purpose by creating the Arunay Foundation to raise awareness about the hidden dangers of sneaker waves and other hazardous coastal conditions—a threat that claims more lives on the West Coast than any other weather-related hazard.

Since its founding just three and a half years ago, the foundation has made significant progress along the Northern California coastline. It has installed more than twenty-five life-saving rings, several of which have already been used in real rescues, and has conducted numerous educational talks in schools and community centers. These efforts are aimed at equipping beachgoers with knowledge about sneaker waves, rip currents, and high surf, helping to prevent future tragedies.

Assemblymember Lee praised the foundation’s transformative work. “The Arunay Foundation exemplifies how personal loss can fuel meaningful community impact. Their dedication to beach safety is a gift to all who live in or visit our coastal regions,” he said.

For the Pruthi family, this recognition is deeply personal. “Every life ring we install and every story we share is done in the hope that no other family experiences the pain we live with every day,” said Chakraborty.

The foundation’s mission is carried out through a three-pronged approach: educating the public about beach hazards, equipping communities with life-saving tools, and informing policymakers and stakeholders about the need for stronger safety measures. The combined efforts of volunteers, donors, and partners have been critical in sustaining the foundation’s growth and impact.

Arunay was a bright, athletic boy who loved soccer, music, and spending time with friends. His story has resonated widely, touching both the Indian American community and the broader American public.