Rajnath felicitates all women crew for sailing expedition, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated nine women officers for successfully completing India's first-ever Tri-Service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition.
• The expedition, named 'Samudra Pradakshina', was undertaken aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni.
• The crew sailed nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans over 314 days.
• The mission was virtually flagged off on September 11, 2025, and formally flagged in on July 22, 2026.

Detailed Insights:

• The expedition showcased the spirit of Nari Shakti and challenged stereotypes regarding women's roles in demanding military operations.
• It demonstrated the effectiveness of Tri-Service synergy and jointness among the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• The voyage fulfilled international criteria for circumnavigation, including crossing the Equator twice and rounding the Three Great Capes (Leeuwin, Horn, and Good Hope).
• Successful navigation through the challenging Drake Passage earned the crew membership in the prestigious Cape Horners fraternity.
• The IASV Triveni, an indigenously built 50-foot yacht, symbolized Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
• The mission involved meticulous planning, two years of intensive training, and a dedicated 24x7 shore-based support network.
• During port calls, the vessel acted as a "floating ambassador," strengthening India's military diplomacy and soft power.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Nari Shakti: A term signifying women's power and empowerment, often used in India to highlight women's achievements.
• Jointness (Armed Forces): The coordinated use of resources and operations by different branches of the armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) to achieve common objectives.
• Tri-Service: Pertaining to or involving all three branches of a nation's armed forces: Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Circumnavigation: The act of traveling completely around the world, typically by sea or air.