PANAJI, Oct 2: In a remarkable display of courage and determination, two Indian Navy officers, Lt Commander Dilna K and Lt Commander Roopa A, embarked on an ambitious expedition to circumnavigate the globe. The duo set sail on Wednesday from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi near Panaji, Goa, aboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini. Their voyage, covering 21,600 nautical miles over an eight-month period, will take them through some of the world’s most challenging waters. The officers are expected to return in May 2025.
This historic journey was flagged off by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi in the presence of Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Chief of the Southern Naval Command, and other dignitaries. Speaking after the ceremony, Admiral Tripathi expressed immense pride in the Indian Navy and praised the two women officers for their fearlessness, sense of adventure, and ability to tackle difficult situations. “It is a proud moment for all of us in the Indian Navy that two sailors will be demonstrating the skills, sense of adventure, fearlessness and focus, and ability to fight the tough situations,” said Admiral Tripathi. He assured that the Navy would be closely monitoring their expedition and wished them success.
The two officers will navigate through perilous waters, including the formidable Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and Cape of Good Hope, relying solely on wind power, without any external assistance. This double-handed mission will also be monitored by the Indian Naval Sailing Association, based in New Delhi, and the Ocean Sailing Node in Goa, in coordination with international maritime agencies and authorities.
Lt Commander Dilna K, from Calicut, and Lt Commander Roopa A, from Puducherry, are no strangers to tough expeditions. Last year, as part of a six-member crew, they participated in a trans-oceanic expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back. Following that, they completed several challenging voyages, including a double-handed sailing expedition from Goa to Port Blair and back, and another from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius. Their journey marks the second edition of the Navika Sagar Parikrama, the inaugural circumnavigation by an all-women crew of six officers in 2017.
This current mission holds special significance, as the officers aim to be the first Indians to circumnavigate the globe in a double-handed mode. The Indian Navy conceptualized the expedition to not only showcase India’s naval capabilities but also to inspire future generations.
The families of the officers also shared their feelings of both pride and concern. Alagirisamy GP, father of Lt Commander Roopa A and an ex-serviceman from the Indian Air Force, expressed his mixed emotions at the event. “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 said.
The circumnavigation will stand as a testament to the officers’ determination and the Indian Navy’s commitment to fostering excellence in all aspects of maritime operations.
This historic expedition is expected to further elevate India’s stature in global maritime endeavors, particularly in terms of women empowerment in naval services.
