Arunachalam Arunchandran

Revolutionized sustainable agriculture in India through low-cost sanitary napkin production

Arunachalam Arunchandran, known as the 'Menstrual Man', is a sanitation innovator from Tamil Nadu, India. Born in 1970, he developed a low-cost machine to produce eco-friendly sanitary napkins after witnessing the struggles of his sister and female classmates. His invention addressed both environmental and health challenges, reducing plastic waste while improving access to menstrual hygiene products. Through his company Jayaashree Industries, he has trained over 10,000 women to become entrepreneurs in rural areas.

His work has been recognized globally, including a TED Talk and a 2014 film inspired by his life. Arunchandran's approach combines social entrepreneurship with sustainable technology, creating ripple effects across India's rural economy. Learn more on TED and Jayaashree's website.