Panaji: Indian Navy officers Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K successfully completed a historic circumnavigation of the globe aboard the sailing vessel INSV Tarini, covering over 25,600 nautical miles in 238 days. This remarkable achievement marks the first double-handed circumnavigation by Indian women in a sailing boat.
The expedition, known as Navika Sagar Parikrama II (NSP II), was flagged off on October 2, 2024, by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi from INS Mandovi in Goa. After departing Goa, the duo sailed non-stop for 39 days across the Indian Ocean to Fremantle, Australia, marking their first landfall on November 9, 2024.
They then proceeded to Lyttelton port in Christchurch, New Zealand, arriving on December 22, 2024, after traversing the Great Australian Bight and the Tasman Sea. The most challenging leg of the journey followed, with the crew reaching Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, on February 18, 2025. Notably, INSV Tarini became the first sail ship to cross Point Nemo, the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility, in the South Pacific on January 30, 2025.
Continuing their voyage through demanding conditions and navigating the 'Roaring Forties', Tarini arrived at Cape Town, South Africa, on March 31, 2025, before commencing the homeward stretch.
Upon their return to Goa, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded their feat, describing the officers as "the country's brave daughters" who have earned a place in the hearts of all Indians. Admiral Tripathi highlighted the expedition as a landmark for the Navy and underscored the vital moral support provided by Defence Minister Singh during the journey.
Sharing their reflections at the welcome event at Mormugao Port Authority, Lt Cdr Dilna K expressed gratitude and resilience, recalling the departure filled with hope and courage and the steadfast support from her late father’s memory, her mother, and husband. Lt Cdr Roopa A described the sea as a realm unlike any other, emphasizing the camaraderie and trust developed throughout the expedition. She recalled overcoming intense challenges, including a critical navigation blackout that took three arduous hours to resolve and weather conditions ranging from towering 20-foot waves to freezing cold and monsoon rains approaching the coast.
The expedition not only demonstrated the indomitable spirit of Indian women but also embodied a dream deeply rooted in determination and national pride. Both officers credited their families for their unwavering support and dedicated their achievement to them, signaling this experience as only the beginning of their adventurous pursuits.
