Nirmala Sitharaman to flag off Navika Sagar Parikrama tomorrow

Panaji, Sep 9: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will flag off Navika Sagar Parikrama, circumnavigating the globe on an Indian-built sailboat INSV Tarini by women naval officers, at INS Mandovi, at Verem, near the city tomorrow. According to a statement here today, Navika Sagar Parikrama is a project wherein a team of women officers of the Indian Navy would circumnavigate the globe on an Indian-built sail boat INSV Tarini. This is the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew. The project is scheduled to commence tomorrow. INSV Tarini is the sister vessel of INSV Mhadei. The project is considered essential towards promoting Ocean Sailing activities in the Navy while depicting Government of India’s thrust for ‘Nari Shakti’. The first Indian Solo circumnavigation was undertaken by Capt Dilip Donde, SC (Retd) from August 9 to May 19, 2010, onboard the Indian built vessel, INSV Mhadei. The first Indian non-stop solo circumnavigation was undertaken by Cdr Abhilash Tomy, KC from November 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013. The crew of INSV Tarini comprises Lt Cdr Vartika Joshi, Lt Cdr Pratibha Jamwal, Lt Cdr Swathi P, Lt Aishwarya Boddapati, Lt Sh Vijaya Devi and Lt Payal Gupta. INSV Tarini, a 55 foot sailing vessel, has been built by M/s Aquarius Shipyard Pvt Ltd, Goa. Tarini was inducted into the Indian Navy on Feburary 18 this year. The vessel has sailed approximately 8,000 Nm till date. Navika Sagar Parikrama would be covered in five legs with stop-overs at four ports for replenishment of ration and repairs as necessary. The expedition, titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’, is aimed at promoting women empowerment in the country and ocean sailing by the Indian Navy. It would inspire the youth of the nation to develop an understanding of the sea and instill a spirit of adventure and camaraderie. Meanwhile, owners/ masters of the barges, passengers launches, ferry boats, tindels of fishing trawlers and operators of the mechanized and non-mechanized crafts, including the tourist boats, cruise boats, etc have been warned not to navigate INS Mandovi Verem from 1200 hrs to 1330 hrs in view of the event. UNI