October 2026

01.10.2026 - Shri. Arunachalam Muruganantham, widely known as the “Padman of India”, is a renowned social innovator and the inventor of the world’s first low-cost sanitary pad-making machine. Hailing from a small village near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, his pioneering efforts have significantly contributed to promoting menstrual hygiene, women’s empowerment and social entrepreneurship.

Driven by the need to develop an affordable solution, he experimented extensively and developed a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine that enabled women, particularly members of Self-Help Groups and rural communities, to manufacture sanitary pads locally and affordably. His innovative approach has helped create awareness about menstrual hygiene and encouraged conversations around menstruation, which has traditionally been considered a taboo subject in India.

His contributions have received National and International recognition. He was featured among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2014 and has received the Padma Shri from the Government of India for his contributions to society. 

His inspiring journey was also portrayed in the critically acclaimed Hindi film “PadMan,” starring Akshay Kumar. He has addressed audiences at leading academic and institutional platforms, including Harvard, MIT, IIMs and IITs, and has participated in international discussions on innovation and social entrepreneurship.

Mr.Arunachalam Muruganantham visited the facilities in ABIS-TBI, TNAU, Coimbatore on 01.10.2026.

During the visit, Mr. A.V. Gnanasambandam, MD & CEO, ABIS-TBI, TNAU, Coimbatore, briefed Mr. Arunachalam Muruganantham on the various ABIS-TBI programmes, incubation activities, initiatives and facilities available for supporting startups, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Mr.Arunachalam Muruganantham visited the TBI Start-Up Exhibition Hall, PRAYAS SHALA (FAB LAB) and TBI Incubatee Product Promotional Centre (TIPPC), TNAU, Coimbatore.

05.10.2026 - 45 No.s of Third year B.Sc (Hons), ABM Students along with 2 No.s of faculty from K.K.Wagh College of Agriculture Business Management, Nashik, Maharastra visited ABIS-TBI, TNAU, Coimbatore.

Mr.A.V.Gnanasambandam, Manging Director & CEO, ABIS-TBI, TNAU, Coimbatore handled a class on the activities of TBI programmes operated in TBI and facilities availbale for students and Start-Ups in TBI.

The students visited TBI-Incubatee Product Promotional Centre (TIPPC) and explored various start-up products.

07.10.2026 - NABARD, District Office, Coimbatore organized an event in the theme of "Stakeholders Workshop for NABARD Promoted FPOs" in Coimbatore. 

The Joint Director of Agriculture, Coimbatore District along with the Agri./ Horti /Agribusiness & Agri Marketing Department Officials, Lead District Manager of Canara Bank officials and Govt Dignitaries participated and briefed the special schemes currently operated in Coimbatore District to FPO's/FPC's and farmers. 

During this Stakeholders Workshop, Mr.A.V.Gnanasambandam, Managing Director, ABIS-TBI,TNAU,Coimbatore briefed the activities of TBI, Programmes operated in TBI and facilities available for FPO's/FPC's and Startups. 

In this workshop about 100 nos.of FPO's/FPC's and farmers also participated. 

08.10.2026 - Nehru Group of Institutions, Technology Business Incubator (NGI-TBI), Coimbatore jointly with Women Entrepreneur India, Chennai, organized an event "Women Entrepreneur Awards" 6th Edition held at NGI TBI and P.K. Das Deemed to be University, Coimbatore.

 

During this event, Mr.A.V. Gnanasambandam, Managing Director & CEO, ABIS-TBI, TNAU, Coimbatore was invited as a Chief Guest & inaugurated the ceremony event. 

The activities of TBI, various programmes operated by ABIS-TBI and the facilities available for women-led start-ups and students were also briefed during the event.

NGI representatives, TBI incubator staff, faculty members, students and start-ups actively participated in the event.

08.10.2026 - Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore organized a physical one week Capacity Building Programme in the title of "Aloe Vera Gel and Soap Making" for the local community from Anaikatty, Coimbatore. In this context, 30 Nos.of trainees visited ABIS-TBI, TNAU, Coimbatore. 

Mr.A.V. Gnanasambandam, Managing Director & CEO,ABIS-TBI,TNAU,Coimbatore briefed the activities of TBI, Programmes operated in TBI and facilities available for Start-Ups and farmers in TBI. 

The trainees visited TBI-Incubatee Product Promotional Centre (TIPPC) and explored various start-up products.

09.10.2026 - The Spices Board India, Kochi, in collaboration with ICAR–Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), organized a one-day workshop on “Reform Utsav Seminar” on “Bharat Spice Map: Mapping India’s Spice Diversity for Self-Reliance and Global Markets” at Kochi, Kerala. 

Shri.M.S.Manivannan, IAS, Secretary, Spices Board, Shri.Gyanendra D. Tripathi,IAS, Additional Secretary (DARE) and Secretary (ICAR), GoI - Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, New Delhi, Dr.M.S.Lakshmi Priya, IAS, Secretary, Coir Board, Dr.R.Dinesh, Director, IISR, Kozhikode, Smt. Sangeetha Viswanathan, Chairperson, Spices Board and Shri.Mr.Dharmendra Das, Director (Dev) I/C,Spices Board, and Shri.Basisth Narayan Jha, Director (Marketing), Spices Board were present during the Workshop.

Dr.E.Somasundaram, Director, ABD, TNAU, Coimbatore, Shri.A.V.Gnanasambandam, Managing Director & CEO, ABIS-TBI, TNAU, Coimbatore and Dr.C.Muralidharan, Professor, (HRM), TNAU, Coimbatore participated in the “Reform Utsav Workshop” and shared their insights.

Shri.M.S.Manivannan, IAS, Secretary, Spices Board

Shri.Gyanendra D. Tripathi,IAS, Additional Secretary (DARE) and Secretary (ICAR), GoI - Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, New Delhi

Group photo with Shri.M.S.Manivannan, IAS, Secretary, Spices Board and Dr.R.Dinesh, Director, IISR, Kozhikode

12.10.2026 - The Department of Agricultural Engineering, Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore, organized a training programme titled “Assistant Tractor Operator for Rural Youth” under the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC).

As part of the programme, 20 trainees visited the TBI–Incubatee Product Promotion Centre (TIPPC), ABIS-TBI, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore.

Mr. A. V. Gnanasambandam, Managing Director & CEO, ABIS-TBI, briefed the trainees on the various programmes offered by ABIS-TBI and the facilities available to students and startups.

The trainees were also introduced to a range of innovative products developed by incubated startups, providing them with insights into entrepreneurial innovations and agribusiness opportunities.

13.10.2026 - Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore organized one physical Green Skill Development  Programme in the title "Coconut Craft" for the local community from Anaikatty, Coimbatore.

In this context, 25 Nos.of trainees visited ABIS-TBI,TNAU,Coimbatore. 

   

Sri.A.V. Gnanasambandam, Managing Director & CEO,ABIS-TBI,TNAU,Coimbatore briefed the activities of TBI, Programmes operated in TBI and facilities available for Start-Ups and farmers in TBI. 

The trainees visited TBI-Incubatee Product Promotional Centre (TIPPC) and explored various start-up products.