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“Padman of India” Coimbatore’s Arunachalam Muruganantham Nominated for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

SimpliCity News Team · 06 May 2026

Coimbatore: Coimbatore: Arunachalam Muruganantham, the Indian social entrepreneur popularly known as “PadMan,” has been nominated for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. He is globally recognised for inventing a low-cost, decentralized sanitary pad-making machine that revolutionized access to menstrual hygiene products and empowered rural women by creating employment opportunities across India.

Hailing from Somayampalayam near Coimbatore, Muruganantham transformed millions of lives through his affordable sanitary napkin-making technology, making menstrual hygiene accessible to women in rural India and several other countries.

His name features among the 287 nominations received for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, which includes 208 individuals and 79 organizations from across the world.

According to Muruganantham, “A dean from Aravind Eye Hospital in Puducherry and American teams working there submitted my name for the Nobel Prize. It was accepted within 24 hours.”

Muruganantham’s innovation not only addressed a major public health concern but also helped break long-standing social taboos surrounding menstruation. His decentralized production model created livelihood opportunities for thousands of rural women, promoting economic independence and grassroots entrepreneurship.

From facing ridicule for openly discussing menstrual health to earning global recognition, Muruganantham’s journey continues to inspire millions worldwide. His life and work also inspired the acclaimed Bollywood film Pad Man, which brought international attention to menstrual hygiene awareness in India.

His Nobel Peace Prize nomination is being celebrated as a proud moment for Coimbatore and Tamil Nadu, honouring a social innovator whose work continues to empower women and challenge stigma across the globe.

Arunachalam Muruganantham Nobel Peace Prize Padman Coimbatore sanitary napads women empowerment social entrepreneur menstrual hygiene innovation Tamil Nadu Aravind Eye Hospital Somayampalayam

“Padman of India” Coimbatore’s Arunachalam Muruganantham Nominated for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

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