It is truly a great pleasure and a joy for me to meet you, Rama Varma, the grandson of our dear, revered Colonel Godavarma Raja.

They often say that the public has a short memory, but that is never true when it comes to Colonel G.V. Raja. To this day, people remember him with immense love and deep reverence. He was a visionary entirely dedicated to Indian sports—primarily tennis and football. Although he was stationed in Trivandrum, his generous heart reached far beyond Kerala; he went out of his way to assist and uplift tennis players across the entire length and breadth of the country.

Colonel Raja didn’t claim to possess the technical coaching expertise to build champions, nor did Trivandrum have a large pool of elite coaches back in those days. But he was a true patron and a philanthropist in the noblest sense. He envisioned world-class infrastructure for the state and built the Trivandrum Tennis Club with exceptional facilities.

I remember when I first travelled to Trivandrum as a young boy to play a tournament; it was held at Sasthamangalam. That turned out to be the very last tournament played on those old courts. Right around that time, Colonel Raja was completing the construction of the Trivandrum Tennis Club. The very next week, we were playing on the brand-new courts he had created. That was the kind of dynamism and passion he possessed.

I may not know every single detail of what he accomplished for football and other disciplines, but for Indian tennis, his contributions were monumental. He served as the President of the All India Lawn Tennis Association (AILTA). In 1966, when we made history by reaching the Davis Cup Challenge Round final against Australia in Melbourne for the very first time, Colonel Raja travelled all the way with us to Australia. Having him there in the stands was an incredible source of strength and inspiration for the entire squad. When Jaidip Mukerjea and I defeated John Newcombe and Tony Roche in that historic doubles rubber, Colonel Raja was sitting right by the court, cheering us on. I still remember the sheer thrill of that moment and the immense pride in his eyes.

He had a remarkable warmth and hospitality. Whenever tennis players—whether Indian stars or visiting foreign internationals—arrived in Trivandrum, Colonel Raja would personally drive to the airport to welcome them. Before even taking them to their hotels, he would often drive them straight to Kovalam Beach. He had a deep love for Kovalam, and he would take the players swimming there, making them feel completely at home.

His kindness extended to everyone across the sporting spectrum. In Kerala, if he spotted a young ball boy or an underprivileged junior with promise, he would step forward, sponsor them, and send them to Delhi to compete in the National Championships. He had the vision and the humility to go to any length just to give a young talent a fighting chance.

I still vividly remember the last day of his life. He was passing through Madras, and I had gone to the Madras Cricket Club in the morning for a jog. I saw Colonel Raja on the courts, playing tennis with a few friends. When he noticed me, he walked over warmly to chat. I asked him, ‘Colonel, how long will you be in Madras?’ He smiled and replied, ‘I’m flying out this evening to the north, towards the Himalayas. I will see you when I return.’

I never saw him again. That very evening, his life was tragically cut short in an air crash. It was a heartbreaking loss for all of us. He was not just a great leader of Indian sports; he was an extraordinary human being.

Though he hailed from the royal family, you rarely ever see someone of royal lineage possess such genuine humility, warmth, and grace. In Trivandrum, people worshipped him. Whenever his car rolled into the club, everyone would stand up with deep respect and call him ‘Thirumeni.’ They obeyed and admired him not because of royal authority, but because of the boundless kindness, love, and care he showered upon every single person he met.

Colonel G.V. Raja is deeply missed, but the foundation he built for Indian sports and the lives he touched will never be forgotten