Born and raised in Nepalgunj, Santosh Upadhyaya is a medical doctor currently serving as the chairman of Sanurvi International and the national director of Mr and Miss National. In addition to his professional roles, he is involved in advocacy and volunteering, leading initiatives such as Beam of Hope, a non-governmental organisation.

From a young age, Upadhyaya was outgoing and mischievous. “I was quite notorious—extroverted and always eager to participate in school activities,” he recalls.

Upadhyaya studied in different schools across Nepal due to his father’s job, which required a lot of travelling. Though born in Nepalgunj, he did his nursery in Salyan, studied in Kailali up to Grade 2, spent Grade 3 in Jumla, and then returned to Kailali for the remainder of his school years, where he completed his SEE. His permanent home is in Achham, but frequent relocations shaped his diverse educational experience.

Coming from Sudurpaschim, Upadhyaya noticed a contrast in opportunities and exposure when he moved to Kathmandu for his bridge course. “The environment was different, but I never held back,” he says. People sometimes even judged him based on where he came from.

Coming from a less-exposed background motivated him to “push forward”. He credits his journey to hard work and commitment.

While studying at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in Teaching Hospital, Upadhyaya participated in the Nepal Student Union and closely supported Dr Govinda KC’s rallies advocating for medical reform. During the 2015 earthquake, he volunteered in several affected areas, including Sindhupalchowk, Dhading, Lubhu, Kirtipur and Nuwakot, through his organisation Beam of Hope.

Under his leadership, the 79th edition of the East Asian Medical Students’ Conference (EAMSC) was held in Nepal in 2018, marking the first time the event took place in South Asia. He also served as a global programme coordinator on the executive committee of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) from 2017 to 2018.

As a medical student, he led numerous initiatives, participated in international conferences, and presented papers globally, visiting over 30 countries by the age of 25. After completing his MBBS, he returned to Achham and launched several community projects. He initiated Plant Your Books, established two libraries, and donated a phototherapy machine to the local district hospital.

He also served as the charter secretary of the Lions Club of Kathmandu Doctors Nepal. When asked how he juggles so many roles, he says, “The satisfaction I get from the outcome of my work keeps me going. I’ve always loved doing this.” He recalls conducting his first health camp in 2012, just a year after joining MBBS. “It was chaotic, but seeing the smiles on the faces of those we helped made it all worthwhile,” he shares.

Upadhyaya recalls a pivotal moment on a bus journey from Achham to Kathmandu. Scrolling through social media, he found a Facebook post featuring the previous Mister Nepal winner. Although he was familiar with pageants like Miss Nepal, this was the first time he developed an interest in male pageantry.

Intrigued, he began researching the winner and noticed that each contestant had their own form of social engagement. This inspired him to explore the pageant world.

After winning Mr Nepal in 2019, Upadhyaya participated in the Supra Star Search 2020 and emerged as the winner, securing his place in the Mister Supranational competition. It was a challenging time—the pandemic had halted events, Nepal didn’t hold the official licence, and sponsorships were scarce. “I did everything on my own,” he recalls, noting that his preparation was entirely online.

Determined to grow, he took vocal and salsa dance classes, relying on his network to support his journey. When he travelled to Poland for the competition, he had little money and kept a low profile. Despite the challenges, he was placed as the 3rd runner-up at Mister Supranational 2021—one of Nepal’s highest placements in the pageant. It was during this experience that he felt a strong urge to support upcoming talents. Motivated to guide others, he brought the franchise to Nepal and launched Mr and Miss Supranational Nepal. “There’s so much that goes into it—contestants need structure and guidance. I wanted to be that beacon of light,” he says.

He believes it was his honesty that helped him make a lasting impact. He acknowledges that pageantry is a business, but insists that building a strong brand is essential to nurture real talent. “The company needs to be solid to truly groom participants,” he says.

His advice to anyone entering the world of beauty pageants is clear, “In pageantry, it’s your goal, your mission, and your advocacy that are presented. If your advocacy is genuine, the platform is yours.”

Speaking about Mr and Miss National, he shares that the platform is dedicated to supporting individuals with a clear vision—those determined to represent Nepal with purpose and a will to win. He mentions that past pageant winners have gone on to excel in their respective fields. Looking ahead, he remains committed to uplifting young minds and nurturing emerging talent.

Now a father, he shares that after 6 pm, his time is reserved for his daughter and family. “There’s a clear understanding at home—I make sure to balance family and professional life,” he says.

Upadhyaya draws inspiration from many people. His father’s patriotic vision influenced him—he recalls seeing a board inscribed with “Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi” at an army barrack while returning from Jumla in Grade 3, a message that has stayed with him ever since. His mother, on the other hand, inspired him to remain calm, composed, and humble.

Reflecting on his academic journey, he shares his experience at Harvard University, where he completed a one-year Mid-Career Master Certificate in Leadership in Medicine—a hybrid course split between online sessions and physical modules, including two held in Malaysia.

When asked about the advocacy work closest to his heart, he names Beam of Hope. He remembers travelling to remote villages like Khairegaun, building homes, and distributing tents to needy people. “That’s a project that will always stay with me,” he says.

His message to the youth is simple yet powerful, “Don’t limit yourself—broaden your horizons. Everything is possible if you move forward with courage and conviction. Life’s simple rule is this: the more effort you put in, the better the outcome.”

While things may often seem impossible, challenges are merely opportunities waiting to be tackled with determination and possibility. Whether treating patients, mentoring young talents, or pursuing policy reforms, Upadhyaya remains focused on his mission to make a difference.