Historic day for the country: INSV Tarini, 6 women crew members set sail to circumnavigate the globe
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished success to an all-woman team of the Indian Navy
- The Navika Sagar Parikrama was flagged off by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman near the Panaji coast
- INSV Tarini is a 55-foot sailing vessel, which has been built indigenously, and inducted in the Indian Navy
FollowPrime Minister Narendra Modi also wished success to an all-woman team of the Indian Navy as it embarked on circumnavigation of the globe, a first of its kind from India. The six women Naval officers had met the prime minister on August 16 and he had exhorted them to project the country s capabilities and strengths across the world.
The 'Navika Sagar Parikrama' was flagged off by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman near the Panaji coast. This is the first-ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew and shall attempt to circumnavigate the globe on Indian Navy’s sailing vessel INSV Tarini. The crew is expected to return to Goa in April 2018, on completion of the voyage. The expedition will be covered in five legs, with stop-overs at 4 ports viz. Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands), and Cape Town (South Africa).
The event was attended by Manohar Parrikar, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AR Karve Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Controller Personnel Services, IHQ MoD (Navy) besides other senior naval retired and serving officials as well as civilian dignitaries including family members of the crew and sailing enthusiasts.
During the ceremony at Goa, the Defence minister said that, “This is a historic day for the country, which will be marked in the Navigation history of the world, and globally our women are going to stand out for something which most navies of the world would not have even thought of.”
She further said that, “For this initiative I appreciate the Indian Navy and the mentors for inspiring, motivating and training these brave and courageous women.” She expressed her absolute pleasure for being present at the momentous occasion and felt honoured to be amongst the crew and wished them a successful voyage.
"Today is a special day! 6 women officers of the Navy begin their journey of circumnavigating the globe on board INSV Tarini," Modi tweeted today. "The entire nation comes together in wishing the all- women team of Navika Sagar Parikrama the very best in their remarkable endeavour," he added in another tweet.
INSV Tarini is a 55-foot sailing vessel, which has been built indigenously, and inducted in the Indian Navy earlier this year. The vessel is being skippered by Lt. Commander Vartika Joshi and the crew comprises Lt. Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.
Image source: Twitter
