Arunachalam Muruganatham

Arunachalam Muruganantham, also known as the "Pad Man," is a social entrepreneur from India who gained recognition for his work concerning menstrual hygiene. Born on 7th January 1962 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Arunachalam had to drop out of school at a young age to support his family's income. He worked as a welder, fabricator, and eventually started his small business manufacturing machines. In the early 2000s, Arunachalam learned that his wife and other women in his village used rags, leaves, and even ash to manage their menstrual cycle as they could not afford sanitary pads. He was shocked by this revelation and decided to take it upon himself to find a solution.

He started experimenting with different materials and techniques to create a low-cost sanitary pad. Arunachalam faced numerous challenges in his journey. His community ridiculed and rejected his ideas, and even his work embarrassed his family members. However, he persevered and continued his research, often testing the pads on himself. After several years of trial and error, Arunachalam succeeded in making a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine. He started his own company, Jayashree Industries, to manufacture and sell these machines to rural women across India. His efforts provided affordable menstrual hygiene solutions and created employment opportunities for women.

Arunachalam's work gained widespread recognition after the release of the Bollywood movie Pad Man in 2018, which found inspiration in his life's story. The film, starring Akshay Kumar, brought international attention to his work, and he received invitations to speak at various forums, including the United Nations. Today, Arunachalam Muruganantham is a celebrated social entrepreneur and has received numerous awards for his work in menstrual hygiene. He was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2016, and TIME magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2014. Despite his success, Arunachalam remains humble and committed to his cause. He continues working towards creating awareness about menstrual hygiene and providing affordable solutions to women in need. His story is an inspiration to millions, and his efforts have had a profound impact on the lives of countless women in India and beyond.