Western Australia parliament honours Indian Navy women adventurers

 It may be a big step for the Indian Navy, but it is indeed a giant leap for women across the world when two women naval officers—Lt Cdr Dilna K. and Lt Cdr Roopa A.—embarked on a historic voyage of circumnavigation onboard the 56-foot Indian naval sailing vessel (INSV) Tarini.

Having set sail on October 2, from INS Mandovi, Goa, they ended the 38-day long first leg of their global circumnavigation expedition ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama II’ when they docked at the first port of call at Freemantle, Western Australia, on November 9 (Sunday).

On Thursday, the two officers were invited for tea to the Western Australia parliament house, and the elected lawmakers and officials gathered to hear of their sailing exploits. They were seated in the presidential gallery when, in a warm gesture, the house honoured the two sailors.

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Addressing the house, Sue Ellery, leader of the House and minister for finance, commerce, and women’s interest, said, “I am advised that over the 4,900 nautical miles of their journey so far they have sailed with Humpback whales, encountered high winds and noticed a significantly cool climate as they sailed south… they are true trailblazers and their circumnavigation would no doubt inspire many girls and young women to consider roles in the Indian Navy.”

The path-breaking expedition aims to promote women’s empowerment, gender equality, and oceanic research, and highlight Indian maritime traditions. This is the first-ever circumnavigation of the globe onboard a sailing vessel by Indian women in double-handed mode.

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Divided into five legs with four stopovers, the INSV Tarini will next sail to Lyttleton (New Zealand), to Port Stanley (Falkland Islands), and then to Cape Town (South Africa) before ending the voyage in Goa.

The sailing duo have been ably mentored by Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd) since August 23 and have undergone psychological conditioning besides being trained on ocean sailing aspects of seamanship, meteorology, navigation, survival techniques and medicare at sea.

Led by the Indian Navy, the ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama II’ is a collaborative effort by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Sagar Defence, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), the Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF) and the Piramal Foundation.