Vasco De Gama (Goa) [India], May 29 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday lauded the role of the women in Indian armed forces, while attending the flag in ceremony of Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini, which was on out at the sea for nearly 8 months on the voyage 'Navika Sagar Parikrama II' for circumnavigating the globe, with a crew of two: Lieutenant Commander Roopa A Lieutenant Commander Dilna K.

INSC Tarini arrived on the coast of Goa earlier today, completing its expedition which was flagged off from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, Goa on October 2, 2024.

The Defence Minister lauded the bravery of the Navy officers, saying that to travel 45 thousand kilometres while facing the ocean is a feat of its own.

'Around 25 thousand nautical miles, meaning around 45 thousand kilometres were travelled in 8 months, that too doing it while in the middle of the sea, is a big feat of bravery on its own,' the Defence Minister said during his speech.

'The loneliness you might have witnessed cannot be truly put into words. Here people stay with each other and feel lonely, and you people (the crew of INSV Tarini), facing the lonely sea, where one forgets about humans, and cannot see any animals either. In that situation, you have spent 8 months. I understand that you might have faced many problems,' Singh said.

He highlighted the contribution of women in the armed forces.

'Today, the daughters of our country are fulfilling their responsibilities very well from the heights of Siachen to the depths of the sea. The doors of the schools of armed forces have been opened for women,' he said.

Highlighting the first batch of women who passed out from the National Defence Academy (NDA), the minister added, 'This month, 17 girls have passed out from NDA. Women have had an active and effective participation in every part of the Indian Armed Forces. During Operation Sindoor, women pilots and other women soldiers have played an important role in the action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK,' he said.

Earlier on May 21, the Naval chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, interacted with the crew of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II onboard Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini. During that time, the vessel had crossed the northern hemisphere and was homeward bound already.

The Navy Chief commended the crew members' exemplary skills and team spirit, and conveyed the pride and admiration of the Indian Navy and the entire nation following their progress.

'On 20 May 2025, Adm Dinesh K Tripathi #CNS interacted with the crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama_II onboard INSV Tarini, having crossed over to the Northern Hemisphere and homeward bound on their final leg of the circumnavigation,' the Indian Navy said in a post on X.

Marking the final leg of the voyage, the vessel was ceremonially flagged off from the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town, South Africa on April 15, 2025, marking its journey back home.

The send-off was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the Officiating Consul General of India in Cape Town, the Defence Attache of India to South Africa, members of the RCYC Governing Council, and representatives from the Indian community in Cape Town, according to an earlier statement from the Ministry of Defence.

INSV Tarini started its journey on October 2, 2024, from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node in Goa. (ANI)