In a stirring tribute to Nari Shakti and the spirit of maritime adventure, an all-women crew from India’s armed forces started their journey on April 7 in a historic 55-day circumnavigation sailing expedition named ‘Samudra Pradakshina’. The tri-services expedition, featuring officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, was officially flagged off by Lt Gen AK Ramesh, Commandant, College of Military Engineering (CME), at the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre, Colaba, Mumbai.
Journey across the deep blue
Sailing aboard the Indian Armed Services Vessel (IASV) Triveni, a sturdy and sea-tested yacht, the 12-member crew will cover an arduous 4,000 nautical miles from Mumbai to Seychelles and back. The expedition will span 55 days of open-ocean navigation, challenging the crew with unpredictable weather, mechanical contingencies, and the physical demands of sustained sailing.
But for these women, the journey is more than just a test of endurance, it is a statement of purpose.
“This is not just a sailing mission. It’s a voyage of empowerment, a demonstration of courage and resilience, and a message to every young girl in India that there is no sea too vast to cross,” said one of the expedition’s crew members ahead of departure.
Two years of grit and training
The selection process for Samudra Pradakshina was rigorous. Out of 41 enthusiastic volunteers, twelve women officers were shortlisted. For the past two years, they have undergone intensive training in ocean sailing. Their preparation included multiple day-and-night expeditions of increasing complexity, simulating real-time challenges on the open sea—from harsh weather to technical breakdowns and the psychological demands of life at sea.
The crew, representing the best of India’s tri-services, has shown immense dedication in mastering sailing techniques, navigation skills, and crisis management.
Saluting the warrior spirit
Samudra Pradakshina is not just a modern-day expedition—it’s also a living tribute to India’s legendary warrior queens, including Rani Velu Nachiyar, Rani Durgavati, and Rani Lakshmi Bai. Their valour, defiance, and legacy form the inspirational bedrock for the mission. Just as these historical icons once defended their territories on land, these modern-day warriors will now chart a course across the high seas, flying the flag of Indian womanhood with pride and purpose.
Towards a greater voyage in 2026
This mission is also seen as a preparatory leg for a far more ambitious all-women circumnavigation expedition planned for 2026. The current voyage will serve as a benchmark in readiness, leadership, and technical skill for future maritime operations involving women officers.
“This is not just about sailing, it’s about setting course for a future where women command the seas alongside their male counterparts,” said an official from the expedition command structure.
Flagging-in ceremony scheduled for May 30
The crew is expected to return to Mumbai on May 30, 2025, where a flagging-in ceremony will mark the successful completion of this historic endeavour. The event will celebrate not only their maritime achievements but also India’s growing commitment to gender parity in uniformed services, especially in roles traditionally considered the domain of men.
This ground-breaking initiative, backed by the Ministry of Defence and maritime leadership, reinforces the nation’s unwavering support for women in combat, women in command, and now, women on the waves.
As Samudra Pradakshina sails into the horizon, it leaves behind a message of hope, courage, and unstoppable determination. With the vast ocean ahead and the winds of change at their back, these 12 women are rewriting the narrative of India’s armed forces, one nautical mile at a time.
