Growing up as Dalits, we (Manoj and Magimai, founders) experienced firsthand the deep inequalities and systemic barriers that our families and communities faced every day. We saw how our own families were denied opportunities, excluded from education, and faced constant discrimination simply because of their caste. These experiences were not just painful—they fueled our determination to create meaningful change. When we met while studying social work, we realized that our shared background and personal experiences gave us a unique perspective on how to empower marginalized communities. We were driven not only to understand the issues but also to actively work toward dismantling these barriers.

In the rural parts of Tamil Nadu, we met bright, ambitious individuals who lacked the resources or support to pursue their dreams—many of them women facing compounded inequalities due to caste, gender, and class. Despite their hardships, these women were determined to educate their children and create a better future. This experience opened our eyes to the power of grassroots empowerment and the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing inequality.

At that time, although we were eager to start an organization, we weren’t quite ready. So, we continued working in community development through various NGOs, honing our skills and deepening our commitment. After moving to the USA in 2015, Manoj began focusing on Dalit empowerment by collaborating with both U.S. and Indian NGOs, such as Jonodayam Social Education Center in Chennai, where he worked to uplift Dalit manual scavenging women and their children. These collaborations gave him the opportunity to support a Dalit PhD student, Sureah Malakondaiah, at Loyola College in Chennai, who pursued research on plant extracts for mosquito control and is now an Assistant Professor at Bharath University in Chennai. Manoj continued working with other nonprofits in India dedicated to the welfare of the Dalit community, including PEAK (People Education and Action in Kodaikanal) Trust and Share and Care Fellowship in Chennai, supporting Dalit children and female graduate students. These efforts laid the foundation for the organizational dream he had nurtured during his social work studies at Loyola College.

Meanwhile, Magimai, co-founder and Acting Managing Director, remained in India, working with a local NGO, leading a street children’s rehabilitation program. He utilized his skills in Parai, a traditional Dalit drum and dance form with deep roots in our community’s history. Historically, Parai was used by Dalits during rituals, festivals, and funerals, but it was also stigmatized as a lower-caste instrument by upper castes. Over time, however, Parai has been reclaimed as a symbol of resistance and empowerment within the Dalit community. Magimai used Parai, which combines rhythmic drumming and movement, as a participatory theater art to engage social work students at various universities across Tamil Nadu, training them to connect with marginalized communities. He frequently gave motivational speeches and attended events, and Manoj followed his work closely on social media, waiting for the right moment to reach out.

In October 2019, Manoj approached Magimai with the idea of uniting their efforts under one initiative called IGNITE. Magimai was excited by the prospect and mentioned that he had registered an NGO called Á-Lead (Association for Livelihood Empowerment and Alternative Development), but it had never been launched. After exploring the possibility of reviving it, they realized that legally it was no longer feasible. Ultimately, they decided to register a new entity—IGNITE—to ensure a fresh start. They began searching for two more board directors and approached some of their female colleagues from their social work studies who were interested in serving Dalit women in rural areas, particularly from their time at Loyola College. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen challenges, they couldn’t bring them onto the board, but they pressed forward with their mission to create a unified organization to uplift Dalit communities in rural Tamil Nadu.

Though there were initial challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic became the catalyst for action. While researching, Manoj came across a powerful statement from Paul Divakar, a Dalit activist from the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights: “India has 600,000 villages and almost in every village a small pocket on the outskirts is meant for Dalits. This settlement is far from healthcare centers, banks, schools, and other essential services. During times like COVID-19, the aid may not even reach this small pocket” (as cited in Bansal, 2021, p. 56). These harsh realities deeply affected him and fueled his determination to take action.

In response, IGNITE began as a self-initiated effort to support Dalit communities during the pandemic. We started our work by providing essential aid, with co-founders and volunteers visiting villages, distributing food, masks, and taking necessary precautions in areas where government aid had not yet arrived. With the help of dedicated volunteers—many of whom were social work students—we were able to effectively reach those most in need.

In September 2020, amid the pandemic, IGNITE was officially launched. The name "IGNITE" was suggested by Manoj’s mentor in the United States, symbolizing the spark of change we aimed to bring to our communities. Since then, our mission has focused on equipping Dalit women and children with the tools they need to overcome the dual layers of caste and gender discrimination. We believe that solutions to inequality must address access to education, economic empowerment, legal reforms, and healthcare inclusion. We strive to help Dalit women and children become leaders within their families, communities, and villages. We are impacting their lives by providing educational support, Parai Theatre Dance, and mentoring/leadership training.

For us, IGNITE is deeply personal. It’s about giving back to our communities and ensuring that future generations do not have to face the same barriers we did. We believe that with the right support, Dalit women can become powerful agents of change, transforming not only their lives but also the future of their families, communities, and society at large. By equipping them with the tools they need, we aim to empower them to drive change across all levels of society, breaking the cycle of inequality and creating a more equitable future for everyone.

Together, we can ignite lasting change.