Jorhat School Students Shine Nationally with Innovative Flood Relief Project

A government school in Jorhat has gained national acclaim for its students' innovative project aimed at aiding flood-affected communities. The team from Pakamura Higher Secondary School has secured a spot among the top 15 entries in the I Can Earthshot Challenge 2026. Their project, ‘ReFloat – From Waste to Lifeline’, repurposes plastic bottles into storage solutions for essential items during floods. With their presentation scheduled in Mumbai, the students are poised to compete for a top five position, showcasing their creativity and commitment to environmental issues. This achievement highlights the potential of students from underprivileged backgrounds to address real-world challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 13, 2026, 13:42 IST

Innovative Project from Jorhat School Gains National Attention

The nine-member student team developed a project titled ‘ReFloat – From Waste to Lifeline’

Jorhat, Nov 13: A government school in Jorhat has made Assam proud by achieving national recognition for an innovative initiative aimed at helping flood-affected communities.

Pakamura Higher Secondary School stands out as the sole institution from Assam to be listed among the top 15 entries in the esteemed I Can Earthshot Challenge 2026, part of the Design for Change (DFC) initiative.

The nine-member student team created a project named ‘ReFloat – From Waste to Lifeline’, which addresses a significant issue faced by individuals during floods.

“Our priority is to highlight the talents of students in government schools. We consistently identify and nurture students with potential,” stated a teacher.

This project, developed in partnership with the Bharti Airtel Foundation, repurposes discarded plastic bottles into a unique storage solution that helps safeguard essential items and important documents during floods.

Chosen from 974 submissions nationwide, the project has earned a spot among the top 15. The student team is set to present their innovation at a national competition and summit in Mumbai, where they will vie for a position among the top five teams.

The team plans to depart from Guwahati to Mumbai on November 15, with presentations scheduled for November 16 and 17.

“If we perform well in our presentation, we are optimistic about making it to the top five. Bringing students from such a small village to Mumbai is already a significant achievement for us,” a teacher remarked.

The event is anticipated to attract notable figures, including Karan Johar, Sachin Tendulkar, Sonam Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt.

Teachers at the school expressed their confidence in the students' capabilities to reach the top five, emphasizing that this accomplishment has brought honor to Assam.

This success is particularly remarkable as it originates from a government Assamese-medium school situated in a relatively underprivileged area.

Through this project, the students have showcased their creativity, teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and dedication to environmental stewardship.

The initiative also underscores how, with appropriate guidance and institutional support, students can significantly contribute to solving real-world challenges faced by society.