By: Pratyush Bardoliwala
Arunachalam Muruganantham, born in 1961 in Pappanaicken Pudhur near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, is an Indian inventor and social entrepreneur known for developing affordable sanitary pad-making technology that helped improve menstrual hygiene access in rural communities.
However, before gaining recognition for his innovation and social impact, Muruganantham faced years of struggles, failures and criticism. His journey involved persistence, determination and the courage to address a problem that many people preferred to ignore.
After his marriage, Arunachalam Muruganantham became concerned about his wife’s health when he noticed the difficulties she faced during menstruation. Like many women in rural India, she could not easily afford commercial sanitary pads and had to rely on alternatives such as old cloth, which were often less hygienic.
This observation made Muruganantham realise that the issue was not limited to his family but was a challenge faced by many women. It pushed him to find a solution that could make sanitary pads more affordable and accessible.
After getting the idea, Muruganantham began researching the materials and process required to create low-cost sanitary pads. He studied commercially available pads and tried to understand how they were made and how they could be produced at a lower cost.
However, turning this idea into reality was not easy. At a time when menstruation was still considered a sensitive topic in many parts of India, openly discussing sanitary hygiene attracted criticism and embarrassment. Many people questioned his work, but Muruganantham continued his experiments despite the challenges.
With limited resources, he spent years testing different materials and methods. After repeated failures and persistence, he succeeded in developing an affordable sanitary pad that could provide women with a safer menstrual hygiene option.
But creating the product was only one challenge. Muruganantham also had to convince women in rural areas to accept and use it. Since menstruation was considered a private and uncomfortable topic, many women were hesitant to discuss their concerns or try a product introduced by a man.
After facing several rejections, he came up with a simple idea: women should educate and support other women. By involving local women in the process, he was able to build trust and encourage conversations around menstrual hygiene.
This approach helped create employment opportunities for women in rural areas while also improving access to affordable sanitary pads within communities.
As his work gained recognition, Muruganantham started receiving attention across India and internationally. He participated in exhibitions and platforms where he showcased his innovation and shared his journey.
His efforts earned him several honours, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 2016. His inspiring story was later adapted into the biographical drama Pad Man, which was released in 2018 and introduced his journey to millions of people.
Arunachalam Muruganantham did not work only for personal success; his mission was to improve the lives of women who struggled with access to menstrual hygiene products. Through his research and innovation, he created a solution that addressed a problem many people avoided discussing.
His work challenged the stigma around menstruation and encouraged conversations about awareness, dignity and hygiene. By bringing attention to menstrual health, he helped people understand the importance of better menstrual care.
Even though his journey was filled with struggles and criticism, Muruganantham never gave up. His efforts transformed not only his own life but also created opportunities for women and improved access to menstrual hygiene solutions in communities.
Arunachalam Muruganantham’s journey proves that true greatness comes from courage and determination. By challenging a problem many ignored, he created a change that continues to impact lives.
Subscribe Deshwale on YouTube
