New Delhi, Jul 30 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday felicitated the nine-member all-women crew of the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni for successfully completing the country’s first Tri-services circumnavigation sailing expedition, describing the feat as a shining example of “Nari Shakti” and inter-services synergy.
The expedition, titled Samudra Pradakshina, covered nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans over 314 days.
During an interaction with the officers here, Singh praised their courage, determination and resilience, saying the mission demonstrated that physical capability, mental toughness and leadership are not bound by gender.
“You have proven that physical capability, mental toughness and leadership qualities are not bound by gender. Every daughter in India can look at you and believe that she, too, can cross oceans and conquer the world,” he said.
The defence minister said the expedition reflected the spirit of Tri-services jointness, with officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force sailing together on a shared mission under the national flag.
He also commended the crew for showcasing India’s indigenous capabilities, technological advancements and maritime traditions during port calls across the globe, saying they conveyed the message that India is second to none in any field.
The officers shared their experiences from the voyage, saying their commitment to making the country proud helped them overcome the physical and mental challenges encountered during the expedition.
According to an official statement, the mission fulfilled all internationally recognised criteria for circumnavigation by crossing all meridians of longitude, crossing the Equator twice, crossing the International Date Line and rounding Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.
The crew also successfully navigated the Drake Passage and rounded Cape Horn, earning membership of the prestigious fraternity of Cape Horners, the statement said.
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar and senior officers from the three Services were present during the interaction.(NVI)
