NewzVille Desk
A historic Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition ‘Samudra Pradakshina”, the first ever in the world was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from the Gateway of India in Mumbai today.
In his address from South Block, Singh described the voyage as a glowing symbol of Nari Shakti, the collective strength, unity & jointness of the three Services, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and its military diplomacy & global vision.
Over the next nine months, 10 women officers will sail onboard the indigenously-built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni on an easterly route covering approximately 26,000 nautical miles.
They will cross the Equator twice, round the three great Capes – Leeuwin, Horn & Good Hope – covering all major oceans and some of the most dangerous waters, including the Southern Ocean & the Drake Passage.
The team will also make four international port calls before returning to Mumbai in May 2026.
The 10-member crew includes Expedition Leader Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, Deputy Expedition Leader Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju, along with Major Karamjeet Kaur, Major Omita Dalvi, Captain Prajakta P Nikam, Captain Dauli Butola, Lieutenant Commander Priyanka Gusain, Wing Commander Vibha Singh, Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev and Squadron Leader Vaishali Bhandari.
The team has undergone three years of rigorous training, beginning with smaller offshore expeditions on Class B vessels and advancing to IASV Triveni, a Class A yacht acquired in October 2024.
