Two women officers of the Indian Navy embarked on a monumental journey on Wednesday, setting sail from Goa on a daring expedition to circumnavigate the globe.
Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A will sail 21,600 nautical miles over the course of eight months aboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini.
The ambitious voyage was flagged off from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node at INS Mandovi, near Panaji, by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi.
The ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Chief of the Southern Naval Command, and other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Admiral Tripathi expressed his pride in the two officers embarking on such a challenging mission, stating, "It is a proud moment for all of us in the Indian Navy that two sailors will be demonstrating skills, a sense of adventure, fearlessness, and focus to tackle tough situations."
The officers will navigate some of the world’s most perilous waters, including the infamous passages around the three great capes—Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and the Cape of Good Hope.
The mission, which features just two crew members, aims to "fly high the Indian flag," Admiral Tripathi said. The Indian Navy will closely monitor the progress of the voyage and wishes the officers the best as they embark on their historic journey.
The two officers have undergone extensive preparations for this expedition, including three years of intensive training.
They previously participated in a trans-oceanic journey from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town, and later sailed from Goa to Port Blair and back in double-handed mode.
Earlier this year, they successfully undertook another voyage from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius, in a similar setup.
Their eight-month mission will rely solely on wind power, with no external assistance, as they chart a course of more than 21,600 nautical miles.
This journey is the second edition of the Navika Sagar Parikrama, the Indian Navy’s inaugural all-women circumnavigation of the globe, which was completed in 2017.
However, this year’s mission is significant as the officers will become the first from India to accomplish this feat in double-handed mode.
The expedition is being conducted under the aegis of the Indian Naval Sailing Association, headquartered in New Delhi, and the Ocean Sailing Node in Goa. Both centres will coordinate the voyage in collaboration with international maritime agencies.
Lt Commander Dilna K, a native of Calicut, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in June 2014. Her father, the late Devadasan, served in the Indian Army.
Lt Commander Roopa A, hailing from Puducherry, joined the Navy in June 2017. Her father, Alagirisamy GP, was part of the Indian Air Force.
Alagirisamy, who attended the flag-off ceremony in Goa, expressed mixed emotions.
"When she broke the news about the voyage, I was happy as an ex-serviceman. But as a father, I was a little worried," he admitted.
As the officers set sail, the Indian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender equality and fostering opportunities for women in adventurous and challenging roles.
The expedition not only highlights the spirit of adventure but also stands as a testament to the grit and resilience of the Indian Navy’s women officers.
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