Pad Man, also known as social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham, has announced his nomination for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. On Sunday, May 3, the man who delivered inexpensive sanitary pads to rural India gave an update, describing it as an unexpected event.
Pad Man, aka Arunachalam Muruganantham, said, while speaking to ANI, "I could not believe it at first... For the Nobel Prize, you cannot submit your name, nor can your friends or family. It has to be a third party... A dean from Aravind Eye Hospital of Pondicherry and American teams working there submitted my name for the Nobel... It was accepted within 24 hours... I am really proud."
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Who Is Arunachalam Muruganantham?
Tamil Nadu social activist Arunachalam Muruganantham brought inexpensive sanitary pads to Indian villagers. He has long been recognised, particularly in rural India, where access to reasonably priced sanitary supplies was scarce. He created a basic machine that could make inexpensive sanitary pads to help women manage menstruation hygiene with dignity.
The Arunachalam Muruganantham initiative also created employment opportunities for women, since many started making and distributing these pads in their local communities.
Pad Man, the movie starring Akshay Kumar, was inspired by him. R Balki's directorial starred Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte in the key parts. It was awarded the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues following its 2018 premiere.
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How Nobel Prize Nominations Work?
The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize has 287 nominees, according to the Nobel Prize's official website. Of these, 79 are organisations, and 208 are people. When evaluating nominations, the Nobel committee follows a thorough procedure.