Arunachalam Murali

Inventor of low-cost sanitary pad production machine for rural women

Arunachalam Muruganantham (born 1966) is a social entrepreneur from Tamil Nadu, India, best known for developing a low-cost sanitary pad production machine that has transformed menstrual health access across India and 32 other countries. Coming from a poor background, he was inspired to act after witnessing his wife using unhygienic materials during menstruation due to high costs of pads. His groundbreaking work began in 1998 when he created a prototype using jute and cotton, but faced social ostracization for his research involving female volunteers.

After years of struggle, he perfected a machine that allows rural women to produce affordable pads for 25% of market prices. Over 1000+ such machines have been deployed across India through his Jaya Matrix company, creating income opportunities for 100,000+ women while improving health outcomes. His invention reduced menstrual-related infections by 40% in rural areas and increased school attendance by 28% among adolescent girls.

Receiving global recognition including the Padman nickname and a Bollywood movie based on his story, he continues promoting the Self Help Pad Man movement. His innovations address:

• Breaking taboos around menstruation
• Economic empowerment through local production
• Eliminating health risks from unhygienic practices
• Promoting women's entrepreneurship