Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, May 3: Social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham, popularly known as the ‘Padman’, on Sunday claimed that he has been nominated for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Speaking about the development, Muruganantham said he was initially surprised by the news. “I couldn’t 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 along with American teams working there submitted my name… It was accepted within 24 hours… I’m really proud,” he said.
According to details available on the official Nobel Prize website, there are 287 candidates nominated for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, including 208 individuals and 79 organisations. The selection process involves extensive evaluation, with the committee seeking inputs from global experts and reviewing scholarly materials related to each nominee’s work.
Muruganantham, a social activist from Tamil Nadu, is widely recognised for revolutionising menstrual hygiene in rural India by introducing low-cost sanitary pads, making them accessible to women in underserved communities.
His life and work inspired the Bollywood film PadMan starring Akshay Kumar, directed by R Balki. The film, which also featured Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor, went on to win the National Award for Best Film.
Muruganantham’s work has been widely praised for promoting menstrual awareness, breaking taboos, and empowering women, particularly in rural areas