2 women officers of Indian Navy embark on global sailing voyage
Panaji (PTI): Two women officers of the Indian Navy - Lt Commander Dilna K and Lt Commander Roopa A - on Wednesday embarked from Goa on a challenging expedition to circumnavigate the globe covering 21,600 nautical miles over eight months.
Flagging off their journey, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said the two women officers represent an India which defies societal dogmas and aspires to explore new frontiers and the expedition will also contribute towards progressing national scientific research.
The two officers are expected to return to Goa in May 2025.
The voyage was flagged off from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi near Panaji, as both the officers sailed on the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini.
Chief of the Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral V Srinivas and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Addressing a gathering, Admiral Tripathi said the 'Navika Sagar Parikrama' will contribute towards progressing national scientific research in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) in Goa for a study on marine microplastics and ferrous content across the seas.
It will also contribute with the Wildlife Institute of India for an exploration on megafauna or large sea mammals, Sagar Defence (start up) for their drones that promise spectacular visuals of the voyage, and Defence Food Research Laboratory towards providing customised precooked Indian meals so that "our valiant warriors always feel at home," he added.
He said both the women officers represent the confidence, courage and conviction of today's India and her Navy.
Both the officers represents an India that draws on the experience of 6,000 years of civilisational wisdom and radiates the ambition of a 77-year young independent nation, he said.
"An India that defies societal dogmas and aspires to explore new frontiers. An India that is confident of its capabilities, and has the courage to overcome any challenge along the way," Admiral Tripathi added.
"At a time, when our nation is once again taking to the seas on its transformational journey to be Viksit Bharat, this edition of Navika Sagar Parikrama embodies the indomitable spirit of Sashakt and Saksham India," he said.
Talking to reporters after the ceremony, Admiral Tripathi said it is a proud moment for everyone in the Indian navy that the two sailors will be demonstrating their skills, sense of adventure, fearlessness and focus and ability to fight the tough situations.
"Indian Navy would be monitoring their adventure. We wish them all the best as they commence their journey today," he said.
The adventurous journey will take the two women officers through some of the most treacherous waters, including the perilous passage around the three great capes -- Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope, he said.
There are only two crew members but the mission is one to fly high the Indian flag, Admiral Tripathi said.
They have sailed for 38,000 nautical miles and also undergone a three-year-long training, he said.
Over the period of eight months, the duo will navigate more than 21,600 nautical miles without any external assistance, relying solely on wind power, a Naval spokesperson said.
The two officers, as part of a six-member crew, participated in a trans-oceanic expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back last year.
Thereafter, they undertook a sailing expedition from Goa to Port Blair and back in double-handed mode.
Further, the duo successfully undertook a sortie from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius again in dual-handed mode early this year.
The expedition was conceived by the Indian Navy with the inaugural Navika Sagar Parikrama, the first ever Indian circumnavigation of globe by an all women crew of six officers in 2017.
The second edition of the expedition will be an exceptional one as the sailors will become the first from India to accomplish such a feat in double-handed mode, the Navy said.
The expedition is being conducted under the aegis of Indian Naval Sailing Association based at Naval headquarters, New Delhi, and Ocean Sailing Node, Goa, under the Southern Naval Command.
Both the nodal centres will be coordinating the voyage in liaison with international maritime agencies and authorities.
Lt Commander Dilna K, who hails from Calicut, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in June 2014. Her father, late Devadasan, served the Indian Army.
Lt Commander Roopa A, a native of Puducherry, joined the Navy in June 2017. Her father, Alagirisamy GP, was part of the Indian Air Force.
"Sometimes we are happy, sometimes worried," said Alagirisamy, was in Goa to witness the flag off ceremony.
"When she broke the news about the voyage, I was happy as an ex-serviceman, but as a father, I was a little worried," he said.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
