In the quiet town of Achirapakkam, Tamil Nadu, a young Dalit Christian named Rajkumar is breaking barriers and stereotypes with a quiet tenacity and vibrant vision. His story is one of grit, grace, and relentless passion—an inspiration for every young Dalit Christian navigating the intersection of caste and faith-based discrimination.
Rajkumar, 29, wasn’t born into privilege. Hailing from a poor Dalit Christian family, societal norms tried to confine him—but he had dreams too bold to be boxed in. Today, he stands as the proud owner of a successful unisex gym and a newly launched women-only fitness space, alongside running a thriving freelance event management business. More than just his own success, he is building platforms that open doors for others like him—young, determined, and often overlooked.
His journey wasn’t linear. Pressured into civil engineering, Rajkumar felt disillusioned but kept going. After college, he worked humble jobs—as a restaurant supervisor and at a home appliance company—while actively engaging with church youth. That involvement became his first stepping stone to leadership. As Diocese Youth President, he found his voice and his calling: to bring more youth into decision-making spaces in the church, especially those from marginalized communities.
Simultaneously, his media dreams took root. He hosted “Gospel Super Singer” on Madha TV and helped conduct auditions across South Diocese, eventually landing a gig with Ave Maria Productions. Though the Chennai media world excited him, the grueling two-hour daily commute and low pay took a toll. “I planned to stay in media for three years, then start something of my own. But financial instability made me pivot sooner,” he shares.
It was his long-standing passion for fitness that gave him direction. The gym he once trained at closed down during COVID. Though he wanted to take it over, the owner’s family declined. Undeterred, he started his own, with help from his uncle. Today, it’s more than just a gym—it’s a space for transformation, confidence, and community, especially for local youth.
His event management business is equally dynamic. With tie-ups for weddings, birthdays, college festivals, and even celebrity appearances, Rajkumar is fast becoming the go-to name in Chengelpet for creative, well-run events. His team includes four staffers across both ventures—a small but growing army of dreamers.
Through church, he gained exposure to leadership. Attending regional meetings and a four-day Senate meeting with youth leaders across the Pallavaram Diocese expanded his worldview. A talk by Sagayam IAS especially moved him, planting the seeds of civic responsibility. When he contested the Diocese Youth President election—competing against senior church members—he won, thanks to his authenticity and vision.
Rajkumar is candid about caste realities in church spaces. While he didn’t face direct discrimination, he observed subtle divides. After a Telugu Bishop took over the Diocese, Telugu communities were favoured in decision-making. When dominant caste members in one parish formed an exclusive group, Rajkumar stepped in, ensured its dissolution, and integrated the youth back into a unified church structure.
His leadership is not about power, but service. “I didn’t aim for titles. I just wanted to be a secretary—do the groundwork,” he says. In a church and society that often overlook Dalit voices, Rajkumar is reclaiming space with quiet courage and unwavering purpose.
His story is not just his own—it’s a roadmap for every Dalit Christian dreaming of more. It’s a reminder that faith, resilience, and self-belief can move mountains, even those built by centuries of exclusion.
