Surekha Yadav, Asia’s first woman train driver and a towering symbol of women’s empowerment in India, has officially retired after completing an inspiring 36-year career with Indian Railways. Her retirement marks the end of an era — one that reshaped mindsets, challenged norms, and paved the way for countless women in a traditionally male-dominated profession.
Starting her journey at a time when few women even considered careers in the transport sector, Yadav became the first woman to take control of a train in Asia. She not only mastered the technical skills of train operation but also braved skepticism, stereotypes, and systemic challenges to prove that determination and passion know no gender.
Over the decades, Surekha Yadav went on to drive prestigious trains including the Deccan Queen and the Vande Bharat Express, while also mentoring younger women entering the field. Her story became a symbol of change, featured in textbooks, media, and government recognition programs.
Yadav’s legacy goes far beyond her job description. She is credited with being a changemaker, a role model, and a quiet revolutionary whose daily commitment slowly but surely changed perceptions about women’s roles in public service and high-responsibility jobs.
As she steps away from the tracks, Surekha Yadav leaves behind not just a career but a movement — one that will continue to empower and motivate future generations to dream bigger and push boundaries.
Her journey may have reached its final station, but her impact will continue to travel far and wide.
For Bianca Louzado, beauty has never just been skin deep — it’s a soulful expression shaped by family roots, a passion for artistry, and a vision to elevate the industry from the inside out.
Born into a vibrant Goan family rooted in Saligao and Aldona, and raised in Juhu, Mumbai, Bianca’s heart belongs equally to both her city and her ancestral home.
“Goa is more than a place on the map for me — it’s my soul’s retreat,” she shares. The winding rivers, heritage Portuguese homes, and coconut-lined roads of Goa provide her with the calm that balances her bustling professional life.
🎨The Creative Spark
Raised in a joint family where creativity was celebrated and excellence was expected, Bianca had the support of her biggest champion — her late father, Anthony.
“He saw my spark for artistry long before I did,” she says with heartfelt pride. While her mother, Doris, envisioned a corporate path for her, Bianca knew early on that a desk job wasn’t her destiny. She tried everything — from food tech to modeling, VJ-ing for Channel V, and flying as a flight attendant for a decade. But it was makeup where she found her calling.
💄A Leap Behind the Scenes
Her turning point came in 2010 at India Couture Week, where she realized that true transformation happened off-camera.
“Makeup is about empowerment — it’s storytelling through skin,” she says. Since then, she has built a name trusted by the best — leading hair and makeup for Femina Miss India and Miss Diva Miss Universe since 2015, while working with icons like Priyanka Chopra, Sachin Tendulkar, Sania Mirza, and Gauri Khan.
🚀Entrepreneurial Evolution — The Birth of Code Beauty
In the lockdown of 2020, when the world slowed down, Bianca’s creativity found a new outlet.
“I needed to unlock myself — and I found the code: Beauty,” she reflects. With her husband Alan Louzado, now COO, she launched Code Beauty — a brand focused on hygiene, performance, and innovation. From India’s first cosmetic hygiene spray to Japan-crafted double-sided brushes, Code Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty toolkit.
👨👩👧Work-Life Harmony
Behind her success is an unshakeable support system — her husband, Alan, who raised their son Caydn as a stay-at-home dad, and now also manages operations. Caydn, now 18 and studying culinary arts in Switzerland, remains her trusted critic and motivator.
“It’s like wearing two hats — one bedazzled, one business-savvy,” Bianca jokes. Her team, including Saloni, Sana, and Nishi, enable her to thrive creatively and entrepreneurially.
🎤A Memorable Moment
One unforgettable memory? Hosting a Geneva conference with Sania Mirza after being spontaneously asked to take the stage.
“Sania broke the ice with humor and reminded me why relationships built on respect matter so much.”
📚Staying Ahead of Trends
A lifelong learner, Bianca has trained with over 60 global makeup experts including Mario Dedivanovic, Bobbi Brown, and Val Garland, and is an alumna of the Delamar Academy London. Her forecast for 2025? Skin-realism, soft sculpting, clean beauty, and multi-use products.
✨ Bianca Louzado’s Beauty Black Book: Icons, I Do’s & International Glam!
Celebrity & Prominent Weddings
Jasprit Bumrah & Sanjana Ganesan
Randeep Hooda & Lin Laishram
Radhika Ambani
Dipti Ambani Salgaocar – Stoke Park, London
Jeet Adani & Diva Shah
Tanya & Yuvraj Ruia
Pallavi Kotak
Dr. Ramakant Panda’s Son
International Destinations
Kensington Palace – London
Fairmont Windsor – London
Chantilly – Paris
Bodrum, Antalya, Istanbul – Turkey
Danang – Vietnam
Kampala – Uganda
Montreux Palace – Switzerland
Waldorf Astoria – Ras Al Khaimah
Versace Hotel – Dubai
Emirates Palace – Abu Dhabi
Royal Caribbean Cruise – Singapore
Bali – Indonesia
Singapore
Global Icons & Celebrities
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Sachin Tendulkar
Sania Mirza
Martina Navratilova
Gauri Khan
Dia Mirza
Malaika Arora
Aditi Rao Hydari
Huma Qureshi
Rakul Preet Singh
Shruti Haasan
Manushi Chhillar
Neha Bhasin
Sonal Chauhan
Waluscha De Sousa
Yami Gautam
Tisca Chopra
Surveen Chawla
Juhi Chawla
Raveena Tandon
Esha Koppikar
Business Leaders & High-Profile Families
Nina Kothari
Ananya Goenka
Devita Saraf
Delna Poonawalla
Reena Wadhwa
Aishwarya Nair
Ananya Birla
Renu Zaveri
Sports Personalities
Mohammed Siraj
Yuvraj Singh
Rahul Dravid
Leander Paes
Baichung Bhutia
Pankaj Advani
Manu Bhaker
Saina Nehwal
Fashion Industry Collaborations
Manish Malhotra
Sussanne Roshan
Shobhaa De
Corporate Collaborations & Editorials
OLX
Samsung India
Syska LED TV
Times Group
NDTV Goodtimes – Kingfisher Supermodels Season 3
Band Baaja Bride with Sabyasachi
Luxury Jewellery Brands
Gehna Jewels
Razwada Jewels
Behani Jewels
Zaveri & Co.
💬Words to Aspiring Artists
“Master the basics. Stay humble. Build relationships. And never stop learning.”
💫 If she had to sum it all up?
“A journey of passion, persistence, and prayer — turning dreams into reality, one brushstroke at a time.”
