Indian Navy is all set to receive its six-member crew of INSV Tarini, including two women officers, at ‘Flag in’ ceremony on 23 May 2023 at INWTC, INS Mandovi, Goa. INSV Tarini is returning home after successfully completing a 17000-nm long trans-ocean inter-continental voyage in seven months. The flag-in event will showcase exemplary valour, courage and perseverance of crew, especially two women officers, Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A, who participated in the entire expedition. The other participants include onward leg crew from Goa to Rio-de-Janerio comprising Capt Atool Sinha, Lt Cdr Ashutosh Sharma and Lt Aviral Keshav, and the return leg crew comprising Cdr Nikhil Hegde, Cdr MA Zulfikar, Cdr Divya Purohit and Cdr AC Doke. Lt Cdr Dilna and Lt Cdr Roopa undertook voyage from Goa to Rio de Janerio via CapeTown and back, spanning over 188 days of sailing on vessel.
This is a true display of Nari Shakti, a clarion call from GOI to empower women. To applaud the determination and courage of the vessel and crew, this special occasion will be graced by Guest of Honour Smt Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Women and Child Development. Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble CM of Goa, has kindly consented to be Chief Guest for the event. Adm R Hari Kumar, CNS and Ms. Rani Rampal, ex-Captain of Indian Women Hockey Team, will also be present on the occasion.
The Indian Navy has embarked on a mission to circumnavigate the globe to promote ocean sailing in a big way. Captain Dilip Donde was the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe in 2009-2010. Subsequently, Cdr Abhilash Tomy was the first Asian skipper to participate in two circumnavigations. Recently during Golden Globe Race2022. The Navika Sagar Parikrama by six women naval officers increased the popularity of ocean sailing within the navy and the country further. The current sailing expedition of INSV Tarini is part of the run up towards the Navy’s next big project to send a woman to circumnavigate the globe - Solo.
