Two women officers of the Indian Navy - Lt Commander Dilna K and Lt Commander Roopa A - on Wednesday embarked from Goa on a challenging expedition to circumnavigate the globe covering 21,600 nautical miles over eight months.

Flagging off their journey, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said the two women officers represent an India which defies societal dogmas and aspires to explore new frontiers and the expedition will also contribute towards progressing national scientific research.

“The two officers are expected to return to Goa in May 2025.

The voyage was flagged off from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi near Panaji, as both the officers sailed on the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini.  Chief of the Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral V Srinivas and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

“Addressing a gathering, Admiral Tripathi said the ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’ will contribute towards progressing national scientific research in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) in Goa for a study on marine micro-plastics and ferrous content across the seas.

“It will also contribute with the Wildlife Institute of India for an exploration on megafauna or large sea mammals, Sagar Defence (start up) for their drones that promise spectacular visuals of the voyage, and Defence Food Research Laboratory towards providing customised precooked Indian meals so that “our valiant warriors always feel at home,” he added.

“He said both the women officers represent the confidence, courage and conviction of today’s India and her Navy.

Both the officers represents an India that draws on the experience of 6,000 years of civilisational wisdom and radiates the ambition of a 77-year young independent nation, he said.

“”An India that defies societal dogmas and aspires to explore new frontiers. An India that is confident of its capabilities, and has the courage to overcome any challenge along the way,” Admiral Tripathi added.

“”At a time, when our nation is once again taking to the seas on its transformational journey to be Viksit Bharat, this edition of Navika Sagar Parikrama embodies the indomitable spirit of Sashakt and Saksham India,” he said.

“Talking to reporters after the ceremony, Admiral Tripathi said it is a proud moment for everyone in the Indian navy that the two sailors will be demonstrating their skills, sense of adventure, fearlessness and focus and ability to fight the tough situations.

“Indian Navy would be monitoring their adventure. We wish them all the best as they commence their journey today,” he said.

The adventurous journey will take the two women officers through some of the most treacherous waters, including the perilous passage around the three great capes -- Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope, he said.  There are only two crew members but the mission is one to fly high the Indian flag, Admiral Tripathi said. 

They have sailed for 38,000 nautical miles and also undergone a three-year-long training, he said.

“Over the period of eight months, the duo will navigate more than 21,600 nautical miles without any external assistance, relying solely on wind power, a Naval spokesperson said.

“The two officers, as part of a six-member crew, participated in a trans-oceanic expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back last year.  Thereafter, they undertook a sailing expedition from Goa to Port Blair and back in double-handed mode.

“Further, the duo successfully undertook a sortie from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius again in dual-handed mode early this year.

The expedition was conceived by the Indian Navy with the inaugural Navika Sagar Parikrama, the first ever Indian circumnavigation of globe by an all women crew of six officers in 2017.

“The second edition of the expedition will be an exceptional one as the sailors will become the first from India to accomplish such a feat in double-handed mode, the Navy said.

The expedition is being conducted under the aegis of Indian Naval Sailing Association based at Naval headquarters, New Delhi, and Ocean Sailing Node, Goa, under the Southern Naval Command.

“Both the nodal centres will be coordinating the voyage in liaison with international maritime agencies and authorities.

Lt Commander Dilna K, who hails from Calicut, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in June 2014. Her father, late Devadasan, served the Indian Army.

“Lt Commander Roopa A, a native of Puducherry, joined the Navy in June 2017. Her father, Alagirisamy G P, was part of the Indian Air Force.

“”Sometimes we are happy, sometimes worried,” said Alagirisamy, was in Goa to witness the flag off ceremony.

“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.