In a historic feat of maritime prowess, Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa Alagirisamy have emerged triumphant from their rigorous 'final examination' aboard the INSV Tarini—a transoceanic journey spanning nearly 5,000 nautical miles from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius, and back. This challenging expedition, completed in double-handed mode, not only tested their seafaring skills but also highlighted their exceptional capabilities as the Navy's potential candidates for the ambitious Sagar Parikrama IV mission.

Their return to the shores of Goa aboard the INSV Tarini was nothing short of a grand celebration, marked by the warm reception from the distinguished crew of INS Mandovi. Commanded by the renowned mentor, Cdr Abhilash Tomy (retd), who holds the distinction of being the only Indian to circumnavigate the globe twice, the voyage was an arduous yet enlightening experience for the two officers.

Cdr Abhilash praised their resilience, pointing out the challenges they overcame, including navigating through rough weather conditions and enduring continuous voyages of approximately 2,700 nautical miles per leg without respite. This feat is a result of their exceptional training regimen, which has spanned over three years. The training included extensive sea sorties totaling more than 25,000 nautical miles.

Notably, their previous endeavors, including a similar voyage from Goa to Port Blair and back, and an expedition to Rio De Janeiro with a crew, have honed their skills for this momentous occasion. However, the forthcoming Sagar Parikrama IV mission poses an unprecedented challenge—an around-the-world solo voyage, a first for an Indian woman officer.

With this latest accomplishment, the Indian Navy inches closer to realizing the late Vice Admiral M P Awati's dream of seeing an Indian woman circumnavigate the globe solo and unassisted. Both Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa Alagirisamy are now in contention for this historic mission, with one of them set to embark on this extraordinary adventure in September.

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Lieutenant Commander Dilna K, hailing from Kozhikode, Kerala, joined the Navy in 2014 as a logistics officer. Apart from her naval commitments, Dilna is a distinguished shooter, having clinched several medals in national competitions and is an avid cricket enthusiast, representing the Kerala state team. Her achievements include winning the YAI's Admiral Ramdas Trophy last year showcasing her multifaceted talents and dedication.

Lieutenant Commander Roopa Alagirisamy, a naval armament inspection cadre officer who joined the Navy in 2017, is an aeronautical engineer graduate. Roopa's father, Alagirisamy G P, is a retired Indian Air Force pilot, inspiring her pursuit of excellence in aerospace domains. Like Dilna, Roopa also secured the YAI's Admiral Ramdas Trophy last year, showcasing her exemplary skills and commitment to her work.

As the Indian Navy prepares for the historic Sagar Parikrama IV mission, all eyes are on these remarkable women officers, poised to break new ground and inspire generations with their audacious spirit and maritime expertise.