AMN
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged-in, Indian naval sailing vessel Tarini (INSV Tarini) after it reached home with an all women crew, successfully completing the circumnavigation of the globe.
The defence minister welcomed the crew in the presence of the chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba at INS Mandovi boat pool in Verem, Goa this evening.
Congratulating the crew, Mrs Sitharaman said the achievement of the sailors is honouring and humbling. She said that it should not be recognised only as women’s achievement, but that of the young generation.
The minister said it should inspire generations and youngsters to take up challenges. She added the achievement has been personally motivating for her and her team. Ms Sitharaman informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally followed INSV Tarini’s journey and would meet the crew on May 23, 2018.
Speaking on the occasion, Admiral Lanba thanked the defence minister for the Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition and called her the wind behind Tarini’s sails. He termed the expedition an appropriate exercise showcasing the central government’s thrust on women empowerment.
The landmark expedition, which was flagged off on 10th September 2017, under the Navika Sagar Parikrama project, has been completed by a six-member crew led by lieutenant commander Vartika Joshi.
Other members of the crew are lieutenant commanders Pratibha Jamwal and P. Swathi and lieutenants S. Vijaya Devi, B. Aishwarya and Payal Gupta. Over the last eight months, INSV Tarini sailed over 21,000 nautical miles across four continents and three oceans and crossed the equator twice.
With the first successful circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew of Indian Navy, Navika Sagar Parikrama is expected to achieve its targeted policy objectives. By involving the participation of women in a challenging mission, the project promotes women empowerment in India, besides marking a milestone in ocean sailing by the Indian Navy.
Moreover, the indigenously built sailing vessel INSV Tarini showcased the ‘Make in India’ initiative on a global platform. The project aimed at harnessing energy as sailing encourages the use of renewable energy resources. In addition, it involved monitoring and reporting on marine pollution; and collection of important environmental, meteorological and marine data for research.
In general, Navika Sagar Parikrama is also expected to inspire the youth to develop an understanding of the sea and promote a spirit of adventure.