Arunachalam Muruganantham: Difference between revisions

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| name              = Arunachalam Muruganantham
| name              = Arunachalam Muruganantham
| image              = ArunachalamMurugananthammm.jpg
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| nationality        = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| nationality        = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| other_names        = ''[[Pad Man (film)|Pad Man]]'', a film based on Muruganantham's life
| other_names        = Padman
| citizenship        = Indian
| citizenship        = Indian
| occupation        = Inventor and social entrepreneur
| occupation        = Inventor and social entrepreneur
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'''Arunachalam Muruganantham''' (Padman) is a [[social entrepreneur]] from [[Coimbatore]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]].  He is the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine and is credited for innovating grassroots mechanisms for generating awareness about traditional unhygienic practices around [[menstruation]] in rural India. His mini-machines, which can manufacture [[sanitary pad]]s for less than a third of the cost of commercial pads, have been installed in 23 of the 29 states of India in rural areas. He is currently planning to expand the production of these machines to 106 nations.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |url=http://m.bbc.com/news/magazine-26260978 |title=The Indian sanitary pad revolutionary |work=BBC News |access-date=4 March 2014|date=4 March 2014 |last1=Venema |first1=Vibeke }}</ref> The movie ''[[Period. End of Sentence.]]'' won the [[Academy Award]] for Best Documentary (Short Subject) for the year 2018. The 2018 Hindi film [[Pad Man (film)|Pad Man]] was made on his invention starring [[Akshay Kumar]] as him.
'''Arunachalam Muruganantham''' ('''Padman''') is a [[social entrepreneur]] from [[Coimbatore]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]].  He is the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine and is credited for innovating grassroots mechanisms for generating awareness about traditional unhygienic practices around [[menstruation]] in rural India. His mini-machines, which can manufacture [[sanitary pad]]s for less than a third of the cost of commercial pads, have been installed in 23 of the 29 states of India in rural areas. He is currently planning to expand the production of these machines to 106 nations.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |url=http://m.bbc.com/news/magazine-26260978 |title=The Indian sanitary pad revolutionary |work=BBC News |access-date=4 March 2014 |date=4 March 2014 |last1=Venema |first1=Vibeke |archive-date=22 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222013847/http://m.bbc.com/news/magazine-26260978 |url-status=live }}</ref> The movie ''[[Period. End of Sentence.]]'' won the [[Academy Award]] for Best Documentary (Short Subject) for the year 2018. The 2018 Hindi film ''[[Pad Man (film)|Pad Man]]'' was made on his invention starring [[Akshay Kumar]] as him.


In 2014, he was included in [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine]]'s list of [[100 Most Influential People in the World]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The 100 Most Influential People – Pioneers: Arunachalam Muruganantham |publisher=TIME.com |url=http://time.com/70861/arunachalam-muruganantham-2014-time-100/|date=23 April 2014 |access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> In 2016, he was awarded the [[Padma Shri]] by the [[Government of India]].<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/PadmaAwards_25012016.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2016 | access-date=3 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803085913/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/PadmaAwards_25012016.pdf | archive-date=3 August 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2014, he was included in [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine]]'s list of [[100 Most Influential People in the World]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The 100 Most Influential People – Pioneers: Arunachalam Muruganantham |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=http://time.com/70861/arunachalam-muruganantham-2014-time-100/ |date=23 April 2014 |access-date=26 April 2014 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309234656/https://time.com/70861/arunachalam-muruganantham-2014-time-100/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, he was awarded the [[Padma Shri]] by the [[Government of India]].<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/PadmaAwards_25012016.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2016 | access-date=3 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803085913/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/PadmaAwards_25012016.pdf | archive-date=3 August 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Muruganantham was born in 1961 to S. Arunachalam and A. Vanita, who were hand-loom weavers in [[Coimbatore]], [[India]]. Muruganantham grew up in poverty after his father died in a road accident.<ref name=nif /> His mother worked as a farm laborer to help in his studies. However, at the age of 14, he dropped out of school.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/pad-man-akshay-kumar-inspiration-arunachalam-muruganantham|title=Who is Arunachalam Muruganantham, the inspiration behind Akshay Kumar's Pad Man?|date=2017-12-23|work=GQ India|access-date=2020-05-07|language=en-US}}</ref> He supplied food to factory workers and took up various jobs as a machine tool operator, yam-selling agent, farm laborer, and welder, to support his family.<ref name=nif />
Muruganantham was born in 1961 . Muruganantham grew up in poverty after his father died in a road accident.<ref name=nif /> His mother worked as a farm laborer to help in his studies. However, at the age of 14, he dropped out of school.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/pad-man-akshay-kumar-inspiration-arunachalam-muruganantham|title=Who is Arunachalam Muruganantham, the inspiration behind Akshay Kumar's Pad Man?|date=2017-12-23|work=GQ India|access-date=2020-05-07|language=en-US|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918232810/https://www.gqindia.com/content/pad-man-akshay-kumar-inspiration-arunachalam-muruganantham|url-status=live}}</ref> He supplied food to factory workers and took up various jobs as a machine tool operator, yam-selling agent, farm laborer, and welder, to support his family.<ref name=nif />


==Invention==
==Invention==
In 1998, he married Shanthi.<ref name="yt">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4_MeS6SOwk&t=36s |title=Arunachalam Muruganantham: The first man to wear a sanitary napkin}}</ref> Shortly after, Muruganantham discovered his wife collecting filthy rags and newspapers to use during her [[menstrual cycle]], as sanitary napkins made by [[multinational corporation]]s were expensive.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/indias-improbable-champion-for-affordable-feminine-hygiene/article4587288/ |title=India's champion for affordable feminine hygiene|access-date =30 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="fastco">{{cite web |url=http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679008/an-indian-inventor-disrupts-the-period-industry |title=An Indian Inventor Disrupts The Period Industry |publisher=Fast Company |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Sandhana, Lakshmi|date=9 August 2010 }}</ref> Troubled by this, he started designing experimental pads.<ref name="hindu">{{cite news |title=A man in a woman's world |author=Akila Kannadasan |work=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/a-man-in-a-womans-world/article2875390.ece |date=13 February 2012}}</ref> Initially, he made pads out of cotton, but these were rejected by his wife and sisters. Eventually, they stopped co-operating with him and refused to be the test subjects for his innovations. He realised that the raw materials cost {{INRConvert|10}}, but the end product sold for 40 times that price.<ref name="bbc" /> He looked for female volunteers who could test his inventions, but most were too shy to discuss their menstrual issues with him. He started testing it on himself, using a bladder with animal blood, but became the subject of ridicule when the "sanitary pad" was discovered in his village.<ref name="mea">{{cite news |title=One man's mission to improve women's lives |author=Letitia Rowlands |publisher=Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India |url=http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/23081/One+mans+mission+to+improve+to+womens+lives |date=14 March 2014}}</ref> As menstruation was a [[taboo]] subject in India, it left him ostracized by his community and family.<ref name="independent">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/the-tampon-king-who-sparked-a-period-of-change-for-indias-women-7897093.html |title=The 'Tampon King' who sparked a period of change for India's women |work=The Independent|date=29 June 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Buncombe, Andrew}}</ref> He distributed his products free to girls in a local medical college, hoping that they would give him feedback.
In 1998, he married Shanthi.<ref name="yt">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4_MeS6SOwk&t=36s |title=Arunachalam Muruganantham: The first man to wear a sanitary napkin |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=8 May 2020 |archive-date=26 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826122724/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4_MeS6SOwk&t=36s |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly after, Muruganantham discovered his wife collecting filthy rags and newspapers to use during her [[menstrual cycle]], as sanitary napkins made by [[multinational corporation]]s were expensive.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/indias-improbable-champion-for-affordable-feminine-hygiene/article4587288/ |title=India's champion for affordable feminine hygiene |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=5 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805082730/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/indias-improbable-champion-for-affordable-feminine-hygiene/article4587288/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fastco">{{cite web |url=http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679008/an-indian-inventor-disrupts-the-period-industry |title=An Indian Inventor Disrupts The Period Industry |publisher=Fast Company |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Sandhana, Lakshmi |date=9 August 2010 |archive-date=9 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309131338/https://www.fastcoexist.com/1679008/an-indian-inventor-disrupts-the-period-industry |url-status=live }}</ref> Troubled by this, he started designing experimental pads.<ref name="hindu">{{cite news |title=A man in a woman's world |author=Akila Kannadasan |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/a-man-in-a-womans-world/article2875390.ece |date=13 February 2012 |access-date=25 April 2014 |archive-date=19 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119134153/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/a-man-in-a-womans-world/article2875390.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> Initially, he made pads out of cotton, but these were rejected by his wife and sisters. Eventually, they stopped co-operating with him and refused to be the test subjects for his innovations. He realised that the raw materials cost {{INRConvert|10}}, but the end product sold for 40 times that price.<ref name="bbc" /> He looked for female volunteers who could test his inventions, but most were too shy to discuss their menstrual issues with him. He started testing it on himself, using a bladder with animal blood, but became the subject of ridicule when the "sanitary pad" was discovered in his village.<ref name="mea">{{cite news |title=One man's mission to improve women's lives |author=Letitia Rowlands |publisher=Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India |url=http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/23081/One+mans+mission+to+improve+to+womens+lives |date=14 March 2014 |access-date=9 October 2021 |archive-date=24 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824031938/http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl%2F23081%2FOne+mans+mission+to+improve+to+womens+lives |url-status=live }}</ref> As menstruation was a [[taboo]] subject in India, it left him ostracized by his community and family.<ref name="independent">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/the-tampon-king-who-sparked-a-period-of-change-for-indias-women-7897093.html |title=The 'Tampon King' who sparked a period of change for India's women |work=The Independent |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Buncombe, Andrew |archive-date=21 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521205516/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/the-tampon-king-who-sparked-a-period-of-change-for-indias-women-7897093.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He distributed his products free to girls in a local medical college, hoping that they would give him feedback.


It took him two years to discover that the commercial pads used [[cellulose]] fibers derived from [[pine]] bark [[wood pulp]].<ref name=tehelka>{{cite news|title=The Pad That Does Not Whisper |author=PC Vinoj Kumar |publisher=[[Tehelka]] |url=http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main42.asp?filename=cr290809the_pad.asp |date=29 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426201334/http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main42.asp?filename=cr290809the_pad.asp |archive-date=26 April 2014 }}</ref> The fibres helped the pads absorb while retaining shape.<ref name=nif /> Imported machines that made the pads cost {{INRConvert|35|m}}.<ref name=ted /> He devised a low-cost machine that could be operated with minimal training.<ref name="marysue">{{cite web |url=http://www.themarysue.com/tampon-king/ |title=Tampon King |publisher=The Mary Sue |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Foxx-Gonzalez, Kellie}}</ref> He sourced the processed pine wood pulp from a supplier in [[Mumbai]], and the machines would grind, de-fibrate, press and sterilize the pads under [[ultraviolet|ultraviolet light]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newinventions.in/linkview.aspx |title=New Inventions: Jayaashree Industries |access-date=18 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121014259/http://newinventions.in/linkview.aspx |archive-date=21 November 2012}}</ref> before packaging them for sale. The machine costs {{INRConvert|65|k}}.<ref name="hindu" />
It took him two years to discover that the commercial pads used [[cellulose]] fibers derived from [[pine]] bark [[wood pulp]].<ref name=tehelka>{{cite news|title=The Pad That Does Not Whisper |author=PC Vinoj Kumar |publisher=[[Tehelka]] |url=http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main42.asp?filename=cr290809the_pad.asp |date=29 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426201334/http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main42.asp?filename=cr290809the_pad.asp |archive-date=26 April 2014 }}</ref> The fibres helped the pads absorb while retaining shape.<ref name=nif /> Imported machines that made the pads cost {{INRConvert|35|m}}.<ref name=ted /> He devised a low-cost machine that could be operated with minimal training.<ref name="marysue">{{cite web |url=http://www.themarysue.com/tampon-king/ |title=Tampon King |publisher=The Mary Sue |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Foxx-Gonzalez, Kellie |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228023352/https://www.themarysue.com/tampon-king/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He sourced the processed pine wood pulp from a supplier in [[Mumbai]], and the machines would grind, de-fibrate, press and sterilize the pads under [[ultraviolet|ultraviolet light]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newinventions.in/linkview.aspx |title=New Inventions: Jayaashree Industries |access-date=18 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121014259/http://newinventions.in/linkview.aspx |archive-date=21 November 2012}}</ref> before packaging them for sale. The machine costs {{INRConvert|65|k}}.<ref name="hindu" />


[[File:India - Faces - Rural women driving their own change 1 (2229752965).jpg|thumb|200px|Rural women meeting as members of self-help groups (SHGs)]]
[[File:India - Faces - Rural women driving their own change 1 (2229752965).jpg|thumb|200px|Rural women meeting as members of self-help groups (SHGs)]]


In 2006, he visited [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]] to show his idea and receive suggestions. They registered his invention for the [[National Innovation Foundation]]'s Grassroots Technological Innovations Award; it won the award.<ref name="nif">{{cite news|url=http://nif.org.in/innovation/mini_sanitary/10|title=MINI SANITARY NAPKIN MAKING MACHINE A. Muruganantham|author=National Innovation Foundation|author-link=National Innovation Foundation|access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="hindu" /> He obtained seed funding and founded Jayaashree Industries, which now markets these machines to rural women across India.<ref name="economic">{{cite web |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-01-18/news/30639078_1_sanitary-napkins-rags-menstruating-women |title=Blood, sweat & a few tears: Arunachalam Muruganantham's lessons for consumer product firms |work=The Economic Times|date=18 January 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Kumar, Vikas}}</ref> The machine has been praised for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, and his commitment to social aid has earned him several awards.<ref name="independent" /> Despite offers from several corporate entities to [[commercialize]] his venture, he has refused, and continues to provide these machines to [[Self-help group (finance)|self-help groups (SHGs)]] run by women.<ref name="independent" /><ref name="guardian">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/22/sanitary-towels-india-cheap-manufacture |title=India's women given low-cost route to sanitary protection |work=The Guardian|date=21 January 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Sandhana, Lakshmi}}</ref>
In 2006, he visited [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]] to show his idea and receive suggestions. They registered his invention for the [[National Innovation Foundation]]'s Grassroots Technological Innovations Award; it won the award.<ref name="nif">{{cite news|url=http://nif.org.in/innovation/mini_sanitary/10|title=MINI SANITARY NAPKIN MAKING MACHINE A. Muruganantham|author=National Innovation Foundation|author-link=National Innovation Foundation|access-date=9 June 2016|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417060951/http://nif.org.in/innovation/mini_sanitary/10|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="hindu" /> He obtained seed funding and founded Jayaashree Industries, which now markets these machines to rural women across India.<ref name="economic">{{cite web |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-01-18/news/30639078_1_sanitary-napkins-rags-menstruating-women |title=Blood, sweat & a few tears: Arunachalam Muruganantham's lessons for consumer product firms |work=The Economic Times |date=18 January 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Kumar, Vikas |archive-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315223611/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-01-18/news/30639078_1_sanitary-napkins-rags-menstruating-women |url-status=live }}</ref> The machine has been praised for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, and his commitment to social aid has earned him several awards.<ref name="independent" /> Despite offers from several corporate entities to [[commercialize]] his venture, he has refused, and continues to provide these machines to [[Self-help group (finance)|self-help groups (SHGs)]] run by women.<ref name="independent" /><ref name="guardian">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/22/sanitary-towels-india-cheap-manufacture |title=India's women given low-cost route to sanitary protection |work=The Guardian |date=21 January 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Sandhana, Lakshmi |archive-date=31 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831035142/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/22/sanitary-towels-india-cheap-manufacture |url-status=live }}</ref>


Muruganantham's invention is widely praised as a key step in changing women's lives in India.<ref name="think">{{cite web |url=http://www.thinkchangeindia.org/2012/01/31/enabling-access-through-low-cost-sanitary-pads-jayashree-industries/ |title=Enabling Access through Low-cost Sanitary Pads: Jayashree Industries |publisher=Think Change India |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Ramdoss, Santhosh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702065017/http://www.thinkchangeindia.org/2012/01/31/enabling-access-through-low-cost-sanitary-pads-jayashree-industries/ |archive-date=2 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=economist>{{cite news |title=Social entrepreneurship in India : Cut from a different cloth |work=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21586328-building-business-around-solving-chronic-female-health-care-problem-cut-different |date=14 September 2013}}</ref> The machine creates jobs and income for many women, and affordable pads enable many more women to earn their livelihood during menstruation.<ref name="jezebel">{{cite web |url=http://jezebel.com/5922361/meet-indias-tampon-king |title=Meet India's 'Tampon King' |publisher=Jezebel |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Baker, Katie J.M.}}</ref> In addition to his own outreach, Muruganantham's work has also inspired many other entrepreneurs to enter this area,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.changemakers.com/healthbiz/entries/promoting-menstrual-hygiene-rural-areas-use-ivrs-techno |title=Promoting hygiene |access-date=14 September 2013}}</ref> including some who propose to use waste banana fibre or bamboo for the purpose.<ref name=economist />
Muruganantham's invention is widely praised as a key step in changing women's lives in India.<ref name="think">{{cite web |url=http://www.thinkchangeindia.org/2012/01/31/enabling-access-through-low-cost-sanitary-pads-jayashree-industries/ |title=Enabling Access through Low-cost Sanitary Pads: Jayashree Industries |publisher=Think Change India |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Ramdoss, Santhosh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702065017/http://www.thinkchangeindia.org/2012/01/31/enabling-access-through-low-cost-sanitary-pads-jayashree-industries/ |archive-date=2 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=economist>{{cite news |title=Social entrepreneurship in India : Cut from a different cloth |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21586328-building-business-around-solving-chronic-female-health-care-problem-cut-different |date=14 September 2013 |access-date=24 August 2017 |archive-date=13 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413031300/http://www.economist.com/news/business/21586328-building-business-around-solving-chronic-female-health-care-problem-cut-different |url-status=live }}</ref> The machine creates jobs and income for many women, and affordable pads enable many more women to earn their livelihood during menstruation.<ref name="jezebel">{{cite web |url=http://jezebel.com/5922361/meet-indias-tampon-king |title=Meet India's 'Tampon King' |publisher=Jezebel |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=18 August 2012 |author=Baker, Katie J.M. |archive-date=11 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611094645/http://jezebel.com/5922361/meet-indias-tampon-king |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to his own outreach, Muruganantham's work has also inspired many other entrepreneurs to enter this area,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.changemakers.com/healthbiz/entries/promoting-menstrual-hygiene-rural-areas-use-ivrs-techno |title=Promoting hygiene |access-date=14 September 2013 |archive-date=2 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202081021/https://www.changemakers.com/healthbiz/entries/promoting-menstrual-hygiene-rural-areas-use-ivrs-techno |url-status=live }}</ref> including some who propose to use waste banana fibre or bamboo for the purpose.<ref name=economist />


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
Muruganantham has become well known as a social entrepreneur.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/HiQ8DYz7ZJM6rMWIHpQRsO/Dharamshala-International-Film-Festival-Preview--Menstrual.html |title=Dharamsala film festival |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> He has given lectures at many institutions including [[IIT Bombay]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ecell.in/esummit/speakers/more/ |title=Esummit speakers, IITB |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]], [[IIM Ahmedabad]], [[IIM Bangalore]],<ref name=tehelka/> [[Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani – Goa Campus]] and [[Harvard University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.harvardindiaconference.com/speaker/arunachalam-murugunatham/ |title=Harvard India Conference |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> He has also given a [[TED (conference)|TED talk]].<ref name=ted>{{cite web |url=http://www.ted.com/talks/arunachalam_muruganantham_how_i_started_a_sanitary_napkin_revolution.html |title=TED Bangalore talk by A. Muruganantham |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> His story was the subject of a prize-winning documentary by Amit Virmani, ''[[Menstrual Man]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.menstrualman.com |title=Menstrual Man |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The first man to wear a sanitary napkin|url=http://www.inktalks.com/discover/177/arunachalam-muruganantham-the-first-man-to-wear-a-sanitary-napkin-inktalks|website=INKTalks|access-date=28 January 2016}}</ref> and the film ''[[Phullu]]'' (2017) directed by ''[[Abhishek Saxena]]''. Director [[R. Balki]] cast [[Indian people|Indian]] actor [[Akshay Kumar]] as Laxmikant Chauhan in a film based on Muruganantham's life, titled ''[[Pad Man (film)|Pad Man]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/padman-first-look-after-building-toilets-akshay-kumar-takes-on-menstrual-hygiene/story-i8NW2x2wVen8gLnJRYgxEP.html|title=''Pad Man'' first look: After building toilets, Akshay Kumar takes on menstrual hygiene}}</ref>
Muruganantham has become well known as a social entrepreneur.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/HiQ8DYz7ZJM6rMWIHpQRsO/Dharamshala-International-Film-Festival-Preview--Menstrual.html |title=Dharamsala film festival |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=2 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202063455/https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/HiQ8DYz7ZJM6rMWIHpQRsO/Dharamshala-International-Film-Festival-Preview--Menstrual.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has given lectures at many institutions including [[IIT Bombay]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ecell.in/esummit/speakers/more/ |title=Esummit speakers, IITB |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=29 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029021156/https://www.ecell.in/esummit/speakers/more/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]], [[IIM Ahmedabad]], [[IIM Bangalore]],<ref name=tehelka/> [[Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani – Goa Campus]] and [[Harvard University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.harvardindiaconference.com/speaker/arunachalam-murugunatham/ |title=Harvard India Conference |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=26 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426202324/http://www.harvardindiaconference.com/speaker/arunachalam-murugunatham/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He has also given a [[TED (conference)|TED talk]].<ref name=ted>{{cite web |url=http://www.ted.com/talks/arunachalam_muruganantham_how_i_started_a_sanitary_napkin_revolution.html |title=TED Bangalore talk by A. Muruganantham |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=24 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224025903/http://www.ted.com/talks/arunachalam_muruganantham_how_i_started_a_sanitary_napkin_revolution.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His story was the subject of a prize-winning documentary by Amit Virmani, ''[[Menstrual Man]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.menstrualman.com |title=Pad Man |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=24 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824151751/http://www.menstrualman.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The first man to wear a sanitary napkin|url=http://www.inktalks.com/discover/177/arunachalam-muruganantham-the-first-man-to-wear-a-sanitary-napkin-inktalks|website=INKTalks|access-date=28 January 2016|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430050238/http://www.inktalks.com/discover/177/arunachalam-muruganantham-the-first-man-to-wear-a-sanitary-napkin-inktalks|url-status=live}}</ref> and the film ''[[Phullu]]'' (2017) directed by ''[[Abhishek Saxena]]''. Director [[R. Balki]] cast [[Indian people|Indian]] actor [[Akshay Kumar]] as Laxmikant Chauhan in a film based on Muruganantham's life, titled ''[[Pad Man (film)|Pad Man]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/padman-first-look-after-building-toilets-akshay-kumar-takes-on-menstrual-hygiene/story-i8NW2x2wVen8gLnJRYgxEP.html|title=''Pad Man'' first look: After building toilets, Akshay Kumar takes on menstrual hygiene|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=23 August 2017|archive-date=21 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221072654/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/padman-first-look-after-building-toilets-akshay-kumar-takes-on-menstrual-hygiene/story-i8NW2x2wVen8gLnJRYgxEP.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


''Movies:''
''Movies:''


* ''[[Menstrual Man]]''
* ''[[Menstrual Man]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Phullu]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Phullu]]'' (2017)
* [[Pad Man (film)|''Pad Man'' (film)]]
* [[Pad Man (film)|''Pad Man'']] (2018)
* ''[[Period. End of Sentence.]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Period. End of Sentence.]]'' (2018)


Latest revision as of 11:45, 21 December 2021

In this Indian name, the name Arunachalam is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Muruganantham.
Arunachalam Muruganantham
Born (1961-10-12) 12 October 1961 (age 64)
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
NationalityIndian
Other namesPadman
CitizenshipIndian
OccupationInventor and social entrepreneur
OrganizationJayaashree Industries
Known forInvention of low cost sanitary pad making machine
Spouse(s)Shanthi
AwardsPadma Shri

Arunachalam Muruganantham (Padman) is a social entrepreneur from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. He is the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine and is credited for innovating grassroots mechanisms for generating awareness about traditional unhygienic practices around menstruation in rural India. His mini-machines, which can manufacture sanitary pads for less than a third of the cost of commercial pads, have been installed in 23 of the 29 states of India in rural areas. He is currently planning to expand the production of these machines to 106 nations.[1] The movie Period. End of Sentence. won the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) for the year 2018. The 2018 Hindi film Pad Man was made on his invention starring Akshay Kumar as him.

In 2014, he was included in Time magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People in the World.[2] In 2016, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.[3]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Muruganantham was born in 1961 . Muruganantham grew up in poverty after his father died in a road accident.[4] His mother worked as a farm laborer to help in his studies. However, at the age of 14, he dropped out of school.[5] He supplied food to factory workers and took up various jobs as a machine tool operator, yam-selling agent, farm laborer, and welder, to support his family.[4]

Invention[edit | edit source]

In 1998, he married Shanthi.[6] Shortly after, Muruganantham discovered his wife collecting filthy rags and newspapers to use during her menstrual cycle, as sanitary napkins made by multinational corporations were expensive.[7][8] Troubled by this, he started designing experimental pads.[9] Initially, he made pads out of cotton, but these were rejected by his wife and sisters. Eventually, they stopped co-operating with him and refused to be the test subjects for his innovations. He realised that the raw materials cost ₹10 (14¢ US), but the end product sold for 40 times that price.[1] He looked for female volunteers who could test his inventions, but most were too shy to discuss their menstrual issues with him. He started testing it on himself, using a bladder with animal blood, but became the subject of ridicule when the "sanitary pad" was discovered in his village.[10] As menstruation was a taboo subject in India, it left him ostracized by his community and family.[11] He distributed his products free to girls in a local medical college, hoping that they would give him feedback.

It took him two years to discover that the commercial pads used cellulose fibers derived from pine bark wood pulp.[12] The fibres helped the pads absorb while retaining shape.[4] Imported machines that made the pads cost ₹35 million (US$490,000).[13] He devised a low-cost machine that could be operated with minimal training.[14] He sourced the processed pine wood pulp from a supplier in Mumbai, and the machines would grind, de-fibrate, press and sterilize the pads under ultraviolet light[15] before packaging them for sale. The machine costs ₹65,000 (US$910).[9]

Rural women meeting as members of self-help groups (SHGs)

In 2006, he visited IIT Madras to show his idea and receive suggestions. They registered his invention for the National Innovation Foundation's Grassroots Technological Innovations Award; it won the award.[4][9] He obtained seed funding and founded Jayaashree Industries, which now markets these machines to rural women across India.[16] The machine has been praised for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, and his commitment to social aid has earned him several awards.[11] Despite offers from several corporate entities to commercialize his venture, he has refused, and continues to provide these machines to self-help groups (SHGs) run by women.[11][17]

Muruganantham's invention is widely praised as a key step in changing women's lives in India.[18][19] The machine creates jobs and income for many women, and affordable pads enable many more women to earn their livelihood during menstruation.[20] In addition to his own outreach, Muruganantham's work has also inspired many other entrepreneurs to enter this area,[21] including some who propose to use waste banana fibre or bamboo for the purpose.[19]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

Muruganantham has become well known as a social entrepreneur.[22] He has given lectures at many institutions including IIT Bombay,[23] IIT Madras, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore,[12] Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani – Goa Campus and Harvard University.[24] He has also given a TED talk.[13] His story was the subject of a prize-winning documentary by Amit Virmani, Menstrual Man,[25][26] and the film Phullu (2017) directed by Abhishek Saxena. Director R. Balki cast Indian actor Akshay Kumar as Laxmikant Chauhan in a film based on Muruganantham's life, titled Pad Man.[27]

Movies:

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Venema, Vibeke (4 March 2014). "The Indian sanitary pad revolutionary". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  2. ↑ "The 100 Most Influential People – Pioneers: Arunachalam Muruganantham". Time. 23 April 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 National Innovation Foundation. "MINI SANITARY NAPKIN MAKING MACHINE A. Muruganantham". Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Who is Arunachalam Muruganantham, the inspiration behind Akshay Kumar's Pad Man?". GQ India. 23 December 2017. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  6. ↑ "Arunachalam Muruganantham: The first man to wear a sanitary napkin". YouTube. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "India's champion for affordable feminine hygiene". Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Sandhana, Lakshmi (9 August 2010). "An Indian Inventor Disrupts The Period Industry". Fast Company. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Akila Kannadasan (13 February 2012). "A man in a woman's world". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  10. ↑ Letitia Rowlands (14 March 2014). "One man's mission to improve women's lives". Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Buncombe, Andrew (29 June 2012). "The 'Tampon King' who sparked a period of change for India's women". The Independent. Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 PC Vinoj Kumar (29 August 2009). "The Pad That Does Not Whisper". Tehelka. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "TED Bangalore talk by A. Muruganantham". Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  14. ↑ Foxx-Gonzalez, Kellie (29 June 2012). "Tampon King". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  15. ↑ "New Inventions: Jayaashree Industries". Archived from the original on 21 November 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  16. ↑ Kumar, Vikas (18 January 2012). "Blood, sweat & a few tears: Arunachalam Muruganantham's lessons for consumer product firms". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  17. ↑ Sandhana, Lakshmi (21 January 2012). "India's women given low-cost route to sanitary protection". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  18. ↑ Ramdoss, Santhosh (31 January 2012). "Enabling Access through Low-cost Sanitary Pads: Jayashree Industries". Think Change India. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Social entrepreneurship in India : Cut from a different cloth". The Economist. 14 September 2013. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  20. ↑ Baker, Katie J.M. (29 June 2012). "Meet India's 'Tampon King'". Jezebel. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  21. ↑ "Promoting hygiene". Archived from the original on 2 December 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  22. ↑ "Dharamsala film festival". Archived from the original on 2 December 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  23. ↑ "Esummit speakers, IITB". Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  24. ↑ "Harvard India Conference". Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  25. ↑ "Pad Man". Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  26. ↑ "The first man to wear a sanitary napkin". INKTalks. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  27. ↑ "Pad Man first look: After building toilets, Akshay Kumar takes on menstrual hygiene". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 21 December 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.

External links[edit | edit source]

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