In an unprecedented feat that underscores both India’s maritime prowess and the growing role of women in its defense forces, two Indian Navy officers — Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa Alagirisamy — have completed a full circumnavigation of the globe aboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini. The successful conclusion of their eight-month voyage marks the first time Indian women have undertaken and completed such a mission in a double-handed mode.
The officers arrived at Goa’s Mormugao Port on May 29 to a rousing welcome by naval officials, cadets, and dignitaries. The journey, part of the Navy’s Navika Sagar Parikrama II initiative, spanned over 25,400 nautical miles and touched four continents, crossing three major capes — Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and the Cape of Good Hope. The crew faced the vast solitude of the Southern Ocean, ferocious storms, and periods of complete isolation — with only each other and the elements to rely on.
“We flew the Indian tricolor and the Navy flag across every land and sea we touched,” said Lt Cdr Dilna. “At every port, we felt the goodwill and strength of being Indian.”
The duo embarked on their voyage from INS Mandovi in Goa on October 2, 2024, making port calls in Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands), and Cape Town (South Africa), before completing the circuit. For the most part, the mission required them to sail through some of the planet’s most unforgiving waters, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, known for monstrous waves and punishing winds.
Reflecting on the journey, Lt Cdr Roopa remarked, “The ocean is a different world altogether. This voyage not only taught us about the sea but also about ourselves. It has given us a lifelong friendship — and trust in ourselves.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, present at the ceremonial flag-in event, praised the officers for their courage and endurance, describing their voyage as a “monumental symbol of Nari Shakti (women’s power).”
“The courage, skill, and perseverance these officers have shown are not only a personal achievement but also a national triumph,” said Singh, urging the Navy to preserve their account for future generations of sailors and citizens alike.
The circumnavigation forms part of the Navy’s broader outreach efforts to inspire more women to pursue careers in the forces. It follows in the wake of Navika Sagar Parikrama I, undertaken by an all-woman crew in 2018 — a voyage that served as a precursor to this more demanding double-handed expedition.
INSV Tarini, a 55-foot sailing vessel built indigenously in Goa, served as their home and command post throughout the expedition. With limited onboard automation, navigation was done manually, making their success a testament to both their technical and physical endurance.
Their return not only marked the closing of a chapter of adventure and resilience, but also opened a new one — for a more inclusive and empowered Indian Navy navigating the future.
