Trailblazing Circumnavigation: Lt Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A Lead India's Second All-Women Global Voyage
In May 2025, Lt Commanders Dilna K and Roopa Alagirisamy achieved a historic milestone by completing Navika Sagar Parikrama II, marking India's second all-women circumnavigation of the globe. Their 239-day expedition aboard the INSV Tarini spanned 25,400 nautical miles, traversing four continents, three oceans, and three Great Capes, establishing them as the first Indian duo to accomplish this feat in a double-handed sailing mode.
This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to women's empowerment, maritime prowess, and India's expanding influence in global naval affairs.
Lt Commander Dilna K, originating from Parambil Kadavu in Kozhikode, Kerala, drew inspiration from her father, an Army officer, and her mother, Reeja. Her childhood was marked by fearlessness and determination, engaging in activities such as climbing trees and participating in national-level rifle shooting competitions through the NCC.
Commissioned into the Indian Navy's Logistics branch in June 2014, Dilna exemplifies discipline, resilience, and a spirit of adventure, often seen riding her father's old Royal Enfield as a homage to his legacy.
Lt Commander Roopa Alagirisamy, born in Puducherry, initially pursued aeronautical engineering at Anna University and worked at the National Aerospace Laboratories in Bengaluru. Inspired by her father, an Air Force officer, she joined the Indian Navy in June 2017, becoming part of the Naval Armament Inspection division.
Roopa's introduction to sailing came through naval assignments, quickly advancing from dinghies to competitive sailing, embracing challenges that would equip her for the global circumnavigation mission.
The Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition, launched on October 2, 2024, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, aimed to promote seamanship and maritime heritage, showcase gender equality in extreme maritime challenges, and contribute to scientific research on oceans and marine biodiversity.
The mission involved double-handed sailing, a more intricate and demanding format than the prior all-women mission in 2017-18. Scientific contributions included collecting water samples in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography to study microplastics and ferrous content, documenting marine mega-fauna with the Wildlife Institute of India, and testing pre-cooked Indian meals for maritime missions with the Defence Food Research Laboratory.
The INSV Tarini, built at Aquarius Shipyard in Goa, is a 56-foot vessel featuring a wood-core and fiberglass sandwich hull, equipped with various sails such as mainsail, genoa, stay sails, downwind, and storm sail. It also features a Raymarine navigation suite, satellite communication, and emergency windvane steering. Before Navika Sagar Parikrama II, INSV Tarini had sailed over 50,000 nautical miles, including a full circumnavigation, diplomatic missions, and participation in the President’s Fleet Review 2022.
Throughout their voyage, the officers faced numerous challenges, including three cyclones, winds reaching 50 knots, and waves as high as 20 feet. They experienced a navigation system blackout while crossing the Pacific Ocean, which they managed to restore after several hours. Notably, they navigated Point Nemo, the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility, and Cape Horn, earning the prestigious title of "Cape Horners."
Their journey included strategic port calls that served as platforms for cultural diplomacy: Fremantle, Australia on November 9, 2024; Lyttelton, New Zealand on December 22, 2024; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands on February 18, 2025; and Cape Town, South Africa on March 31, 2025. At each stop, they promoted Indian maritime heritage and engaged with local communities, contributing to India's soft power.
Their achievement was recognized by political leaders, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi commending their feat on Mann Ki Baat. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed them at Mormugao Port, referring to them as “the country’s brave daughters," while Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi praised their resilience and perseverance. They became two among only ten Indians to circumnavigate the globe under sail power, and the first Indian team to do so in a double-handed format.
Reflecting on their journey, Roopa remarked on the unique world at sea, while Dilna fulfilled her promise to her late father by flying the Indian flag on every sea and land across the planet. They learned to adapt to uncontrollable circumstances, emphasizing the importance of patience and teamwork, and highlighted the significance of breaking barriers for women in defense and maritime sectors.
Their journey underscores India's commitment to women empowerment in defense, showcasing India’s maritime capabilities on the global stage, and inspiring future generations of women in the armed forces. Lt Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A have redefined the possibilities for women in maritime operations, combining courage, skill, and endurance. Their successful completion of Navika Sagar Parikrama II demonstrates that with preparation, teamwork, and determination, no horizon is out of reach.
This journey is not just a maritime achievement—it is a testament to India’s evolving defense landscape, women empowerment, and global maritime excellence.
