Vasco De Gama (Goa) [India]: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday praised the role of women in the Indian armed forces while attending the flag-in ceremony of the Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini. The vessel returned after nearly eight months at sea during the voyage ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama II’, a circumnavigation of the globe undertaken by a two-member crew: Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K.
INSV Tarini arrived on the Goa coast earlier today, completing its expedition that was flagged off from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, Goa on October 2, 2024.
The Defence Minister lauded the bravery of the Navy officers, saying, “Around 25 thousand nautical miles, meaning around 45 thousand kilometres were travelled in 8 months, that too doing it while in the middle of the sea, is a big feat of bravery on its own.”
He also reflected on the isolation faced by the crew, stating, “The loneliness you might have witnessed cannot be truly put into words. Here people stay with each other and feel lonely, and you people (the crew of INSV Tarini), facing the lonely sea, where one forgets about humans, and cannot see any animals either. In that situation, you have spent 8 months. I understand that you might have faced many problems.”
Singh highlighted the growing contribution of women in the armed forces. “Today, the daughters of our country are fulfilling their responsibilities very well from the heights of Siachen to the depths of the sea. The doors of the schools of armed forces have been opened for women,” he said.
Referring to the first batch of women who graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA), the minister added, “This month, 17 girls have passed out from NDA. Women have had an active and effective participation in every part of the Indian Armed Forces. During Operation Sindoor, women pilots and other women soldiers have played an important role in the action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK.”
Earlier, on May 21, Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi interacted with the crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama II onboard INSV Tarini. At that time, the vessel had crossed into the northern hemisphere and was already on its return journey.
The Navy Chief praised the crew’s skills and team spirit, conveying the pride of the Indian Navy and the nation. The Indian Navy posted on X, “On 20 May 2025, Adm Dinesh K Tripathi #CNS interacted with the crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama_II onboard INSV Tarini, having crossed over to the Northern Hemisphere and homeward bound on their final leg of the circumnavigation.”
The final leg of the voyage was ceremonially flagged off from the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town, South Africa, on April 15, 2025. The send-off was attended by dignitaries including the Officiating Consul General of India in Cape Town, the Defence Attaché of India to South Africa, members of the RCYC Governing Council, and representatives of the Indian community.
INSV Tarini began its journey on October 2, 2024, from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node in Goa.