Two Indian Navy women officers on an extraordinary sailing expedition to circumnavigate the globe, are touching down tomorrow (December 20) evening at Christchurch’s Port of Lyttelton.
The officers – Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K are onboard INSV Tarini and on a voyage to circumnavigate the globe as part of Indian Navy’s expedition “Navika Sagar Parikrama”. They will stay in NZ for 14 days before proceeding to Falkland.
This global voyage was flagged off by the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi in Goa, India on Oct 2, 2024. It made its first stop in Freemantle, Perth and left for Lyttelton on November 24, 2024.
Navika Sagar Parikrama is a gruelling voyage requiring extreme skills, physical fitness and mental alertness. Both these two officers have been preparing themselves for this expedition for the last three years and underwent rigorous training and gained thousands of miles of experience under their belt. The duo as part of the six member crew had also participated in trans-oceanic expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back last year.
They were mentored under various officers of Indian Navy who have circumnavigated the globe, including ace circumnavigator and Golden Globe Race hero, Cdr Abhilash Tomy, an officer retired from Indian Navy.
These women embody the spirit of adventure, resilience, and determination, and their journeys stand as testament to what can be accomplished when individuals push beyond societal norms and personal limits. Their extraordinary journey represents not only an inspiring feat of endurance, skill, and courage but also a powerful message of empowerment, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Indian Navy has made significant efforts to revitalise the sailing tradition, emphasising its commitment to preserve maritime heritage of India & promote seamanship skills.
The circumnavigation of INSV Tarini is a significant step forward in India’s ocean sailing enterprise and maritime endeavours, showcasing the nation’s growing prominence in global maritime activities and gender equality on the high seas.
