Lt. Col. Karthika Nal P. R. Godavarma Raja (13 October 1908 – 30 April 1971) often referred to as G.V. Raja, was a sports and tourism promoter and administrator, pilot, sportsman and Sanskrit scholar . He took special care in inspiring the youth into sports and was instrumental in founding the Kerala Sports Council in 1953, occupied the post of Council President till he was killed in a flight mishap in 1971. Raja occupied the post of Council President till he was killed in a flight mishap in 1971. Lt. Col. Raja also played a key role in establishing the Thiruvananthapuram Tennis Club, Flying Club, and the development of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.