As INSV Tarini returned to India, after successfully completing a 17,000 nm trans ocean intercontinental voyage, it was welcomed in Goa by Chief minister Pramod Sawant, Chief of the Naval staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and Rani Rampal, former captain of Indian Hockey Team. Union minister for women and child development, Smriti Irani was also present at the flag in ceremony where the crew was facilitated.
The crew consisted of 6 members, two of them were women who undertook the entire expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back. Both Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa sailed for all 188 days. Now, having successfully completed the voyage they aim to train and send women on solo circumnavigation of the globe.
The crew, as they recounted their voyage, said they were enjoying every moment even as they sailed through a major storm, spotting dolphins, reading books of past sailors, watching movies while maintaining the sailboat. The maintenance of equipment, Lt. Cdr. Dilna K observed, was the most vital activity on board.
FLAG IN CEREMONY
The ceremony began with a display of yachting skills by promising and young yachtsmen of the Navy Boys Sports Company. Then there was a flypast by Kamov 31, Hawks, Il 38, Dornier, Chetak and MiG 29k aircraft.
Smriti Irani, applauding the efforts of the Tarini crew, said that achievements like these should be recorded for posterity and shared with the nation. She appreciated the two women and said that they will inspire youngsters to serve the nation with honour and pride by joining the armed forces.
Admiral R Hari Kumar, lauding the achievements of the ‘historic moment’ remarked that the achievement of crew in navigating through adverse conditions in weather and in house repairs whenever required. This will act as shining examples of ingenuity and innovation that are possessed by our countrymen. He hailed the achievements of Cdr Abhilash Tomy (retd) on finishing second in Golden Globe Race 2022, considered to be among the toughest solo around the world sailing race.
NAVIKA SAGAR PARIKRAMA
Earlier, the six women naval officers ocean sailing, Navika Sagar Parikrama, led to an increase in popularity of sailing within the country and the navy. The women, officers of the Indian Navy, were part of a circumnavigation of the globe. The team managed the whole operation in a first of its kind all women led global journey on INSV Tarini. The voyage lasted 254 days and travelled 21,600 nautical miles and returned to INS Mandovi in Goa.
