6 Indian Women Navy Officers on the Way to first Circumnavigation of the globe.

History is created by the inception of India’s ever first Circumnavigation of the globe which is done by team of women officers of the Indian Navy on an Indian-built sail boat INSV Tarini and the project name is Navika Sagar Parikrama

INSV Tarini is a 55-foot sailing vessel which has been built indigenously by Aquarius Shipyard, Goa, and was inducted in the Indian Navy earlier 2017, thus showcasing the ‘Make in India’ initiative on the World forum. INSV Tarini is being skippered by Lt. Commander Vartika Joshi, and the crew comprises Lt. Commander Pratibha Jamwal, Lt. Commander P Swathi, Lieutenant S Vijaya Devi, Lieutenant B Aishwarya and Lieutenant Payal Gupta.

The expedition was flagged off by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Goa on September 10, 2017, Their Journey would cover the expedition in five legs with stop-overs at four ports (Fremantle, Australia;  Lyttleton, New Zealand;  Port Stanley, the Falklands; and Cape town, South Africa) before returning to Goa in April 2018 and covering 20,000 NM.

The event was attended by Shri Manohar Parrikar, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Admiral Sunil Lanba, 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, other senior naval serving and retired officials, civilian dignitaries, family members of the crew and sailing enthusiasts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met the six women last month, sent out his wishes to INSV Tarini's crew earlier in the day."Today is a special day! 6 women officers of the Navy begin their journey of circumnavigating the globe on board INSV Tarini," PM Modi tweeted. "The entire nation comes together in wishing the all-women team of Navika Sagar Parikrama the very best in their remarkable endeavour."

These women officers are training to form an all-women crew that would attempt to circumnavigate the Globe in 2017. To prepare themselves for the arduous voyage, they have undergone theoretical training in Navigation, Communication, Seamanship and Meteorology at the Navy’s various Training Establishments based at Kochi in August. Since then, the officers have been training under the guidance and watchful eyes of Cdr Dilip Donde. Cdr Donde was the first Indian to solo-circumnavigate the globe in 2009-10 on board the same boat, Mhadei. The rigorous training included sorties of various durations with Cdr Donde as well as working on the boat and training on the equipment fitted on board.

Here is short Glimpse of their Voyage. 

During the voyage, the crew would monitor and report marine pollution on the high seas, as also interact extensively with local PIOs during various port halts to promote Ocean sailing.

During their voyage, the crew would also collate and update Meteorological/ Ocean/ Wave data on a regular basis for accurate weather forecast by India Meteorological Department (IMD) and subsequent analysis by research and development organisations.

The expedition titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’, is in consonance with the National policy to empower women to attain their full potential. It also aims to help discard the societal attitudes and mindset towards women in India by raising visibility of their participation in challenging environment.

The whole and soul purpose of this Navaika Sagar Parikram is to mold the great women of tomorrow so that they can inculcate integrity in very core of their character because being soft hearted and strong mind is the best combination that one can poses. Because STRONG is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Following is the video which covers some of the aspect of the project Navika Sagar Parikrama. 

 Sources:

www.indiannavy.nic.in

www.dawn.com

www.thehindu.com

majorkalshiclasses.com