Arunachalam Muruganantham is one of India’s most inspiring MSME entrepreneurs who changed millions of lives through innovation and determination. Born in a poor family in Tamil Nadu, he faced severe financial struggles after losing his father at a young age. To support his family, he worked in small jobs and struggled to continue his education.

One day, he discovered that his wife was using unhygienic materials during menstruation because sanitary pads were too expensive. Shocked by this reality, he decided to create affordable sanitary pads for rural women. Despite being mocked and criticized by society, he continued experimenting for years without giving up.

After many failures and hardships, he successfully invented a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine that could be used by small businesses and women’s self-help groups. His innovation not only improved women’s health and hygiene but also created employment opportunities across rural India through MSME and small-scale entrepreneurship.

His work received national and international recognition, and his inspiring life story even inspired the Bollywood movie Pad Man.