Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flaged off the Navika Sagar Parikrama by an all-women crew of Indian Navy aboard Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini today from INS Mandovi jetty in Goa. Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and chief of naval staff Admiral Sunil Lanba were also present at the occasion.<br/><br/>Speaking at the event, Sitharaman said, within eight days of my swearing-in, to get the opportunity to flag off an all-women crew for circumnavigation of the globe is something I cannot describe in words. I am absolutely touched and honoured to be here. One does not easily get the opportunity to be among these motivated and inspired women sailors who will take up this challenge. <br/><br/>This is not an occasion that comes once in five years or 10 years; it is a historic day which will be marked in our navigation history and globally our women would stand out. This is the outcome of several years of training and motivation. The crew members have been well trained and provided adequate resources. More importantly, they are highly motivated.<br/><br/>Lanba highlighted how Navika Sagar Parikrama's role is aligned to the central government's focus on strengthening women. He said, on completion of the project, the six women aboard INSV Tarini will join an illustrious list of people with accomplishments which will contribute significantly to the discourse of women empowerment in India and abroad. Navika Sagar Parikrama is the first attempt by an Indian all-women crew to circumnavigate the globe.<br/><br/> The crew has a sailing experience of 19,000 nautical miles, during which they have exhibited strong seamanship skills. The expedition will be covered in five legs, with stopovers at Fremantle, Australia; Lyttleton, New Zealand; Port Stanley, Falklands; and Cape Town, South Africa. It is expected to be completed in around 160 days.<br/><br/>INSV Tarini is skippered by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi and the crew comprises Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P. Swathi and Lieutenants S. Vijaya Devi, B. Aishwarya and Payal Gupta. The crew will collate meteorological, ocean and wave data for accurate forecast by the Indian Meteorological Department and subsequent research and analysis by research and development organisations.<br/><br/>They would also monitor and report marine pollution in high seas and take initiatives to promote ocean sailing, which encourages the use of renewable energy resources.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman today flagged off Navika Sagar Parikrama in Goa, a circumnavigation programme by women naval officers. This is the the first Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew. The project will be a milestone in promoting ocean sailing activities by the Indian Navy. The expedition is aimed at promoting women empowerment in the country. <br/>'<br/>Under the project, a team of six women officers of the Indian Navy would circumnavigate the globe on India-built sail boat INSV Tarini.