In a powerful showcase of determination, resilience, and equality, India’s first-ever all-women tri-services sailing expedition — Samudra Pradakshina — was flagged off today from the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre in Colaba, Mumbai. The 55-day ocean voyage will see a 12-member crew, comprising women officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, sail over 4,000 nautical miles from Mumbai to Seychelles and back aboard the Indian Armed Services Vessel (IASV) Triveni.
The flag-off ceremony was conducted by Lt Gen AK Ramesh, Commandant of the College of Military Engineering (CME), marking the beginning of a mission that not only challenges the seas but also long-standing gender roles in uniformed services.
Symbol of Nari Shakti on High Seas
The expedition is a direct embodiment of Nari Shakti — the strength and spirit of Indian women — and aims to promote gender parity in maritime exploration and operations. This ambitious mission will test both the physical and mental endurance of the crew across unpredictable waters, harsh weather, and technical challenges.
Each crew member was selected from a pool of 41 volunteers across the three services. For over two years, they underwent intense training in ocean sailing, gradually building their experience through multiple short and long-range expeditions, including overnight navigation, mechanical troubleshooting at sea, and operating in difficult weather conditions.
A Tribute to India’s Warrior Queens
Beyond its contemporary significance, Samudra Pradakshina draws deep inspiration from India’s rich history of powerful female figures. The expedition pays homage to legendary warrior queens like Rani Velu Nachiyar, Rani Durgavati, and Rani Lakshmi Bai — icons of courage who defied odds and left a lasting legacy of strength and leadership.
Voyage Details and What Lies Ahead
Duration: 55 days
Route: Mumbai – Seychelles – Mumbai
Distance: Over 4,000 nautical miles
Vessel: IASV Triveni
Crew: 12 women officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force
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This mission also acts as a preparatory phase for a more ambitious all-women circumnavigation voyage planned in 2026, aimed at putting Indian women on the global map of ocean sailing.
Flagging-In on May 30
The expedition is expected to conclude on May 30, 2025, with a flagging-in ceremony that will mark not just the return of the crew, but also a new chapter in the journey of India’s armed forces toward gender inclusion.
India, through Samudra Pradakshina, is sending out a clear message — women in uniform are ready, capable, and unshakable, whether on land, in the air, or across oceans.