The “Average” Millennial Success Story? Meet Ingalagi’s Youngest Dalit Elected Representative

Meet Sachin Rathod, a millennial containing multitudes, with something to prove.

Apr 26, 2023
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Sachin Rathod became the youngest Dalit elected representative of Ingalagi village in Karnataka in December 2020 with the help of YIF. Now, he has become a pillar of his community. Read how this “average” millennial transformed the lives of his fellow villagers.

Back in 2021, we published a story about the victory of Sachin Rathod, the youngest Dalit elected representative of Ingalagi village in Karnataka. We were fortunate enough to aid Sachin and his team in his journey to get elected but that election was only the beginning of a promise of a better life for his constituents. And since then, Sachin has been successful in keeping this promise. 

His work is truly like that of no other politician. Why? Because it’s not just empty words hurled at crowds. It’s hard work for on-field projects and a commitment to seeing them through. A rarity, most would agree, in contemporary political reality. 

If you go off of his Instagram bio, Sachin is a researcher, an “everyday sociologist”, and a social worker. He loves cats, he’s a dancer, and he loves to cook and eat good food. He loves to post selfies, captures of his travels, and of course, cute cat photos. So yes, you could say that Sachin is your “average” millennial. And perhaps, it is thanks to his average “millennial-ness” that his leadership has transformed his home in Karnataka. 

Working to improve the everyday life of his community, Sachin has been able to develop significant infrastructure in the areas of education and sanitation. He does this not only through policymaking and implementation of programs but also by participating in the real-time construction of these projects. 

Through his work, the village now has its very first community toilet, a leap in this rural region toward better sanitation for all.

Pictured below are residents of Ingalagi who would benefit from the installation of this facility, and among them is Sachin.