Raju’s story begins in a nomadic tribal family in Vidarbha, where barriers to education were high and mentorship was non-existent. He navigated the difficult path from distance learning to the halls of TISS and SOAS London, driven by a desire to build the support systems he once lacked.

Today, his work in empowering first-generation learners has earned global recognition. Now a Chevening Scholar, TED Speaker, and Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Raju was also honored on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Yet, despite the accolades, his focus remains grounded: he is dedicated to ensuring marginalized students have the resources to not just survive, but lead.