Meet The INSV Tarini Crew: Six-women Naval Officers Who Sailed Around The World In 254 Days

As the nation is celebrating its 72nd Independence day on Wednesday, Republic TV celebrated the unsung heroes of the nation through its special broadcast - 'Heroes of India'. Republic TV spoke to the unstoppable team of six women naval officers, who conquered the toughest waters around the world in seven months.

INSV Tarini is the sailboat that was used by the members of the Indian naval crew, that made the country proud. They also set a record by becoming the first-ever all-women crew to complete circumnavigation.

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Speaking to Republic TV, these naval officers took us through their journey, wherein they displayed incredible endurance and skill to sail across the world.

"The toughest part was when you can't fight with nature, so you need to be as friendly as possible with nature, and sometimes nature gave us great surprises," said the INSV Tarini crew.

With the army historically being a male-dominated institution, these six women officers decided to break the glass-ceiling and push the limits to become a force to reckon with.

Speaking about their decision to take up this challenge, they said: "When we started sailing, people started questioning our decision to have a man on board. However, I think we've built a special bond right from time spent while we were training.  And after this achievement we have conveyed a strong message about girl power."

WHO IS TEAM TARINI?

The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini  was skippered by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi, and the crew comprised Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta, who circumnavigated the globe and managed the whole operation in their first ever global journey.

WHAT IS NAVIKA SAGAR PARIKRAMA?

Navika Sagar Parikrama was the name of expedition to circumnavigate the globe on INSV Tarini by these Indian women naval officers. During their 254 day long voyage, the vessel has covered over 22,000 Nautical miles, visiting five countries – Australia, New Zealand, Falkland Islands (UK), South Africa and Mauritius, before returning home to Goa.

GALLANTRY AWARD

Earlier this year, the Indian Navy awarded these six women officers with Nao Sena medals, a gallantry award that recognises individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage.

READ: In His Fifth Independence Day Speech, PM Modi Illustrates His Vision For 'New India' From The Ramparts Of Red Fort

PM'S PRAISE FOR TEAM TARINI:

"We are celebrating this day when our six daughters of Uttrakhand, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and many other states have made us proud. These six daughters of India undertook the Navika Sagar Parikrama and in 254 days, they circumnavigated the globe in the INVS Tarini. While sailing over various seas and oceans, they covered 22,000 nautical miles, which is a first of it’s kind feat,” the Prime Minister said in his fifth Independence address from the from the ramparts of Delhi's Red Fort.