TED: How I started a sanitary napkin revolution! | Arunachalam Muruganantham

The speaker shares his journey of creating affordable sanitary pads to address the issue of affordability for women in India. He faced numerous challenges, including societal stigma and lack of support, but persevered to develop a low-cost solution. His innovation gained recognition and has been implemented in various regions, aiming to empower rural women and improve hygiene. The speaker emphasizes the importance of social impact over profit and envisions a future where all women have access to sanitary products.

What motivated the narrator to start working on a low-cost sanitary pad?

• A government initiative

• A friend's suggestion

• A school project

• His wife's comment about affordability

What personal challenge did the narrator face during his research?

• Financial bankruptcy

• Divorce notice from his wife

• Health issues

• Legal troubles

What was the key material discovery that helped in the production of sanitary pads?

• Natural rubber

• Special cellulose derived from pine

• Synthetic fibers

• Recycled paper

What is the narrator's philosophy regarding money and innovation?

• Avoid innovation due to risks

• Chase money first, then innovate

• Focus on solving problems, not on money

• Innovate for profit

What is the narrator's vision for the impact of his invention?

• To sell the technology to multinational companies

• To empower rural women and make sanitary pads accessible

• To create a corporate empire

• To patent the invention and restrict access

How does the narrator plan to share his invention with the world?

• By making it open-source

• By franchising it

• By keeping it a secret

• By selling it to the highest bidder

What percentage of women in India were using sanitary pads according to the narrator?

• 50%

• 10%

• 2%

• 75%