4. A COMMON MAN
Son of a poor Handloom weaver from rural
Coimbatore, Tamilnadu
A school dropout, at the age of 14
Took up menial jobs, like, supplying food in
factories, farm labour, welding, etc
He got married…
5. THEN HE BECAME ONE OF
INDIA’S MOST POWERFUL
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
BUT HOW?
6. INSPIRATION
Noticed his wife using unhygienic rags instead of
sanitary pads as pads were expensive
He analyzed the high quality pads and realized they
were made from simple raw materials
Being from a handloom background, he set out to
experiment with various materials to make low cost
pads
7. CHALLENGES
After a while, his wife and sisters refused to test his prototypes
Medical college girls refused to help him, when he became
persistent
His family called him a pervert and stayed away from him
He tested it on himself, by using a prosthetic bladder attached
at his waist
He consulted IIT Madras students and faculty for helping in
designing a machine
8.
9. AND THEN IT WAS BORN
THE FIRST
MACHINE
TO MAKE LOW COST SANITARY NAPKINS
10. ACHIEVEMENTS
Won the President’s award for innovation
His machines cost between Rs 1 lakh- 3 lakhs.
International machines cost Rs 1.5 crores
His machines are installed in 23 of 29 states
Planning to install machines in 106 countries
Listed in TIME’s 100 most influential persons
13. WHAT CAN WE LEARN?
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
NEVER GIVE UP!
PERSEVERE
LEARN TO TAKE INSULTS
PLAY TO YOUR
STRENGTHS
14. RECAP
Arunachalam Muruganantham? A common Man
Inspiration - Rural women using unhygienic rags
Challenges - His family disowned him
Achievements - His machine and numerous awards
What Can We Learn From Him