Goan army veteran wins Mr India Senior title

PANAJI
In a celebration of grace, grit and glamour, Captain Rajesh Yadav (retd), a distinguished ex-Army officer and corporate leader from Goa, was crowned Mr India (Senior) Title at the Mr and Mrs Senior Pageant India 2025 held in Mumbai. Poonam Sharma from Chandigarh won the Mrs India (Senior) Title.

Presented by the owner and founder of Peach Events, Rekha Desai, the event was curated and trained by Shakir Sheikh of NAMG Mumbai and Vijaya De. The pageant was for individuals aged 55 plus and organised for the first time for senior men, marking a legendary moment in the history of Indian pageantry. Hosted by Simran Ahuja, it was a one-of-a-kind event breaking stereotypes around age and beauty, proving that age is just a number.

The victory of the 56-year-old retired army captain from Zuarinagar celebrates resilience, style, and service, inspiring seniors nationwide. “Winning the first-ever Mr India Senior pageant for men above 55 years of age has been an incredible and empowering experience! Such events are so important because they prove that age is just a number—passion, confidence, and vitality have no expiry date,” said Capt Rajesh Yadav while speaking to The Goan from New Delhi.

“Competing in this pageant boosted my self-esteem, reminded me of my worth, and inspired me to stay active and positive. For seniors, events like these are a fantastic way to celebrate life, build camaraderie, and break stereotypes about ageing. They motivate us to stay healthy, pursue our dreams, and show the world that we still have so much to offer. This victory isn’t just mine—it’s for every senior who believes that life after 55 years can be just as exciting and fulfilling... Do pal ke jeevan se ik ummr churani hai...”

“This victory is a tribute to my late father Hon Lt LB Yadav and my sister Pushpa Yadav. My inspiration has been my mother Sumitra Yadav and my biggest supporters are my wife Arati and children Arth and Raashee, sisters Asha and Sudha who have always pushed me to greater heights. My brothers Ashok and Arun have been pillars of support,” shared Capt Yadav, whose last posting was at Baramulla, Kashmir.

Capt Yadav served the Indian Army as a short service commissioned officer with the Army Services Corps, and voluntarily retired in 1998 as Captain. With over 32 years of leadership in security, aviation, and administration, his disciplined ethos and global expertise shone on stage. Beyond his professional accolades, he is a dedicated philanthropist, serving as a National Advisor at International Human Rights Defenders (Odisha-based NGO) and supporting the Goa Livelihoods Forum, empowering local communities.

In the past, he served as director in Singapore, UAE and UK-based companies, and also worked as a security coordinator/travel document checker and profiler at Emirates Airlines, Dubai, UAE, ensuring airline security compliance with local and international regulations, profiling and checking travel documents to detect forgeries and curb illegal activities, investigating disruptive passengers, and reporting incidents.

Capt Yadav has a diploma in Security Management, Fire Fighting, and First Aid Management from the National Institute of Security Management, Bengaluru, Trade Certification in Logistics at Army Services School, Bareilly, Basic Officer Training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai. Captain Yadav, a graduate in Horticulture from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, was an associate member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Texas, USA.