Around-the-globe mission

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A team of six naval officers are starting a historic and gruelling around-the-world mission on Sunday — the first circumnavigation of the globe by an Indian all-female crew. Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi, who is leading the voyage which will begin in the western state of Goa, told AFP the project was “revolutionary” in bringing women to the helm and would inspire others in the country.

In recent years, the Indian navy has sought to open its doors to women to take on more challenging roles, with the latest project winning the backing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who urged the crew to “project India’s capabilities and strengths across the world”.

The navy commissioned a 17-metre (56-foot) yacht “Tarini” in February for the mission, with the crew kicking off preparations for the voyage in 2014. “For me it’s a matter of conquering a feat that has been achieved by a chosen few,” Lieutenant Commander Pratibha Jamwal told AFP. “It’s not been an easy journey in terms of preparation but as they say ‘the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in.

This news has been read 5349 times!