Arunachalam Muruganandham, a Coimbatore based entrepreneur and inventor of the low-cost sanitary napkin making machine has been conferred with the Padma shri award in the recent list of awardees announced by the central government during the 67th Republic day celebrations here.

Hailing from Pappanaikanpudhur in Coimbatore Muruganandham has become a widely acclaimed figure all over the world after he invented the low-cost sanitary napkin making machine. While his invention gained him name and fame Time magazine included him the list of 100 Most Influential People in the World.

His selection for the award is seen as a credit by the government for his service that he has been rendering to the rural women in India and in other parts of the world.

Overwhelmed about receiving the award, Muruganandham said that his toil of 8 years has won him the award.

“I worked very hard to come up with the machine and marketed the product. I knew it would be successful and this is a very happy moment. My work has been qualified with the award,” he said.

He further added that his invention is being used in more than 17 countries and aims to take it to 100 more in future.

“Such inventions are needed for developing and underdeveloped countries which has a decent population of rural women,” he said.