Hailakandi, Assam, July 9, 2025 – In the flood-ravaged landscapes of Assam, where the Brahmaputra River’s annual overflow claims lives and livelihoods, a young innovator has turned fear into hope. Anusweta Deb, an 18-year-old from Hailakandi, has created affordable, upcycled life jackets using plastic bottles, sacks, thread, and a needle—costing just ₹150 each. Her ingenious solution, born from her childhood dread of floods, has saved hundreds of lives in flood-prone areas, earning her national acclaim and proving that empathy and ingenuity can transform communities.
Anusweta’s journey began in 2019, when, at 14, she witnessed the devastating Assam floods that submerged homes and left families stranded. “I was in Class IX when my tuition teacher, who is also my maternal uncle, asked me what I could do to save lives during floods,” Anusweta shared in an interview with The Times of India. Recognizing that commercial life jackets were too expensive for most in her community, she began experimenting with readily available materials. By 2021, she perfected a design using discarded plastic bottles and rice sacks, creating lightweight, durable life jackets that could keep people afloat in raging floodwaters.
In 2022, during the catastrophic floods in Silchar, Anusweta, with help from her friend Pooja Das and family, produced 200 life jackets in just one week. These jackets, distributed free to rescue teams, were made from 400 plastic sacks and over 1,000 plastic bottles sourced from local municipalities. The jackets come in three sizes—small (six one-litre bottles), medium (eight bottles), and large (ten bottles)—with the largest capable of supporting up to 110 kg. “The jackets were safe, effective, and a low-cost alternative,” said a Silchar teacher who witnessed their impact. “It was a wonderful idea, executed brilliantly.” Anusweta’s innovation not only saved lives but also addressed plastic waste, aligning with her commitment to environmental conservation.
Her work has garnered significant recognition. In 2022, Anusweta won a silver medal at the India International Innovation and Invention Expo (INEX), competing against global participants. She was also celebrated at the 2024 National Youth Summit – Tide Turners Plastic Challenge, organized by WWF-India and UNEP, where her life jackets were showcased as a sustainable solution. “For me, this was about helping people and reducing plastic pollution,” Anusweta told The Better India. Her story has inspired many, with posts on X calling her a “true changemaker” and praising her for “turning trash into treasure.”
Beyond her invention, Anusweta, now a first-year BSc student, is empowering others. In 2024, she led a workshop in Kuttanad, Kerala, training women to make these life jackets as part of the UNEP’s Tide Turners Plastic Challenge, organized by WWF-India and ATREE-CERC. “The idea came from our struggles with frequent floods,” she explained at the workshop. Participants like Margaret from Chempumpuram noted the jackets’ potential to protect children playing near water, highlighting their practicality.
Anusweta’s innovation is particularly vital in Assam, where floods affect over 31 million people annually, with 39.58% of the state’s land deemed flood-prone by the Rastriya Barh Ayog. Her jackets, requiring minimal resources and no specialized equipment, offer a scalable solution for vulnerable communities. She is now exploring ways to make them more accessible, including training programs and potential income-generation opportunities for locals.
Anusweta Deb’s story is a powerful reminder that age is no barrier to impact. From a teenager haunted by floods to a celebrated innovator, she has shown that simple materials and a compassionate heart can save lives and inspire a nation. As Assam braces for another monsoon, her life jackets remain a beacon of hope, floating above the floodwaters.
