Muruganantham's journey began in 1998 when he noticed his wife, Shanthi, using old rags instead of sanitary pads due to their high cost. Disturbed by this reality, he set out to create an affordable alternative. However, his quest was met with ridicule, alienation, and even personal setbacks, as his wife and family initially distanced themselves from him.  

Undeterred, he conducted extensive research, even going to the extent of personally testing his prototypes. His relentless efforts paid off when he developed a low-cost machine that could manufacture sanitary pads at a fraction of the price of commercial brands.  

Rather than selling his invention to big corporations, Muruganantham decided to empower rural women by helping them set up small-scale businesses to produce and distribute sanitary pads. His model provided affordable menstrual hygiene products while creating employment opportunities for women, fostering financial independence, and breaking long-standing taboos.  

Muruganantham’s work has earned international acclaim. In 2014, he was listed in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. His invention has been adopted in multiple countries, helping women across Africa, South America, and Asia gain access to affordable menstrual hygiene products.  

His story even inspired the Bollywood film Pad Man (2018), starring Akshay Kumar, which further brought attention to the importance of menstrual hygiene and challenged societal stigmas surrounding the topic.  

Arunachalam Muruganantham’s efforts have sparked a revolution in menstrual hygiene awareness, challenging deep-rooted cultural norms and improving the lives of countless women. His innovation is more than just a machine it is a movement that continues to inspire change worldwide.