Young Raghavan decided that to reach the school early, it is better to run than to walk. Running took him to the classroom and the podium. Soon he became an athletic champion at State Level and could shine in 400m, 800m, marathon as well as football.

After completing his High School at Rajas, Neeleswaram, he joined G.V.Raja Sports School, Thiruvananthapuram and later completed his degree in Chemistry from University College, Thiruvananthapuram. By then he had come far ahead of the 5 other siblings of his parents, who had dropped out of the race at Class 4 level.

But that was not the end of his ambition. A chance acquaintance with para-gliding and power-hand gliding, courtesy the National Adventure Academy, had kindled his desire to be a pilot. He decided that whatever be the difficulties on the way, he would become a pilot. To realise his dream, Raghavan struggled as attendant at restaurants and telephone booths, took tuition during holidays and gathered some money. As that did not meet his needs, his parents, Ther and Matheru mortgaged their land to find some money for enabling him to join the Aviation Training Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, where he had by then obtained admission based on a test.

Again, as the never-to-be postponed financial commitments came knocking on his door, the Government sanctioned Rs.8 lakhs for enabling him to continue the course. This was thanks to the efforts of the Hosdurg MLA Kumaran, who had known Raghavan since his school days.

And so in a short while, Raghavan will become the 1st pilot from the Mavilan community. His ambitions do not end even here. He wants to contribute towards guiding and funding poor students from backward communities.

His other ambition is to become an Air Force pilot.