SHASHWAT GUPTA RAY
shashwat@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: History is set to repeat itself after seven years. In 2017, a six-member crew of women officers of the Indian Navy circumnavigated the globe on the indigenously-built sail boat INSV Tarini. The expedition was named Navika Sagar Parikrama.
Now, once again Indian Navy’s two courageous women officers Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K are all set to embark on the extraordinary mission of circumnavigating the globe with the second edition of Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition, which will be flagged off today by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi from INS Mandovi Boat Pool, Reis Magos.
Over a period of eight months, the duo will navigate more than 21,600 nautical miles (approximately 40,000 km) without any external assistance, relying solely on wind power.
“It really feels great to be part of another historic sailing expedition. One good thing is that this is a tried and tested boat. Hence we don’t need to worry about this aspect. For us, this is going to be our first voyage circumnavigating the globe. It will be challenging. But we are well prepared,” said Lt Cdr Roopa A.
Speaking about how the two officers came on board for this highly tough voyage, Lt Cdr Dilna K said, “I always loved adventure since my childhood. So, that is how I enrolled into the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and took rifle shooting. I joined the Navy in 2014. After I found out that the Indian Navy was looking for volunteers for circumnavigation. That’s how I got interested and started sailing. I always wanted to do something different and challenging. So when I got an opportunity, I just grabbed it.”
Lt Cdr Roopa was sailing in dinghy boats. So that’s when her passion for sailing started.
“Doing circumnavigation is always a challenge and it is a dream of every sailor to do it. So when the Indian Navy sought volunteers for the expedition, I could not resist the opportunity,” she said.
Informing about the selection process, the naval officer said, “We had initial trials for all the volunteers for this particular project. After the trials, we were selected.”
When asked about the preparations for the voyage, she said, “We have been training for the last three years. We have sailed around 38,000 nautical miles and done a trans-oceanic journey along with a crew of six, completed dual-handed sorties after we trained under Commander Abhilash Tomy.”
“Once we graduated from the six-member crew to the dual handed sorties, we went from Goa to Port Blair and back, followed by Mauritius and back. This gave us a lot of confidence in handling ourselves, the boat and managing repairs. We have done enough sailing and have spent more time at sea rather than on land. I think we are ready for this journey,” she said.
On the camaraderie between both her and Lt Cdr Dilna, Lt Cdr Roopa said, “We have sailed together for three years. We have experienced various tough situations during the training and in the process, we have come to know each other better. We both form a very good team. We both know each other’s strengths and weaknesses very well.”
In their message for the young girls who would like to follow them, Lt Cdr Roopa and Lt Cdr Dilna say that self-belief is key to success.
“When you dream big and pursue hard to achieve it, there will be many setbacks in life. But that should not pull you back. Believe in yourself and make the roadblocks as your stepping stone to achieve your dream,” Lt Cdr Roopa said.
Lt Cdr Dilna said, “I think nobody should miss any opportunity they get in life. Anything can come your way. Have confidence in your abilities and be open to the opportunities you get in life. That way you will grow.”