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Indian Navy’s All-Woman Team Sets Sail, Around The World

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Ria Das
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Indian navy inducting women sailors

India's First naval all-woman crew, has created maritime history once again with their Navika Sagar Parikrama around-the-world mission starting on Sunday (Sept. 10).

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In a first, six female officers left aboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel, Tarini on a circumnavigation effort. They will spend more than 200 days at sea. And sailing back to Goa in March 2018.

 

"Today is a special day! 6 women officers of the Navy begin their journey of circumnavigating the globe on board INSV Tarini," PM Modi tweeted. "The entire nation comes together in wishing the all-women team of Navika Sagar Parikrama the very best in their remarkable endeavour."

This women's crew has significant achievements to its credit. Before them, the notable attempts to circle the world was made by Captain (retd.) Dilip Donde's solo circumnavigation and Cdr Abhilash Tomy's non-stop circumnavigation of the globe.

READ: Sisters are doin’ it for themselves: Meet India’s all-woman crews

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The new Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged off 55-foot INSV Tarini from the INS Mandovi naval training base in Goa. The team comprises Tarini's skipper, Lt. Commander Vartika Joshi, and crew, Lt. Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.

Lieutenant Commander Joshi while talking about the voyage, told AFP that the project is "revolutionary" in bringing women to the Frontline.

"For me, it's a matter of conquering a feat that has been achieved by a chosen few," Lieutenant Commander Pratibha Jamwal told AFP. "It's not been an easy journey in terms of preparation, but as they say 'the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war'," she added.

“It is going to boost the spirits of everybody across the country. Not just women but it can also be an inspiration for the male counterparts. Our aim is to rekindle the spirit of adventure," Lieutenant Commander Joshi said.

The all-woman team has already sailed into the sea in INSV Mhadei when they began the journey from Goa to Visakhapatnam for the International Fleet Review 2016 and thereafter to Mauritius and back. Following that, they took the boat on a gruelling voyage to Cape Town in December 2016. Furthermore, the team sailed twice to Mauritius and once to Cape Town in preparation.

Also WATCH: These Women Will Fight Weather & High Seas To Circumnavigate Earth

ALSO READ: All-Women Navy Crew Ready For Cape To Rio Yacht Race

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Indian women in Navy All-women Indian navy crew INSV Tarini #NavikaSagarParikrama Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
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