In a landmark display of courage, skill, and sheer determination, an all-women crew from the Indian Armed Forces recently returned to India after completing a first-of-its-kind international open-sea sailing expedition. Covering 1,800 nautical miles over nearly two months aboard the Indian Armed Services Vessel "Triveni," the team charted a bold course across the Indian Ocean to the pristine shores of Seychelles—and into the history books.
This wasn’t just any voyage. It was the first-ever international sailing mission undertaken solely by women officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The historic expedition was flagged off from Mumbai on April 7, 2025, with 11 women officers embarking on the journey of a lifetime. The vessel of choice, "Triveni," a sturdy 56 ft indigenously-built sailing yacht, became both home and battleground for the crew, comprising female officers from all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces coming together as sailors.
From the Indian Army: Lt Col Anuja, Maj Karamjeet, Maj Tanyah, Capt Omita, Capt Dauli and Capt Prajakta;
From the Indian Navy: Lt Cdr Priyanka; and
From the Indian Air Force: Sqn Ldr Vibha, Sqn Ldr Shraddha, Sqn Ldr Aruvi and Sqn Ldr Vaishali.
Each officer brought unique strengths to the voyage, and together, they tackled the physical and psychological demands of long-distance sailing. Their mission extended beyond personal achievement—it was a collective assertion of women's growing operational role in the Armed Forces.
Over the next several weeks, they navigated not just waters but unpredictable weather, technical challenges, and the mental toll of extended isolation. Facing tropical squalls and rough sea states with seasoned grit, the team demonstrated endurance, seamanship, and the unyielding spirit of adventure.
Upon reaching Seychelles, the expedition took on a diplomatic dimension. The officers participated in high-level engagements, meeting with the Seychellois Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chief of Combined Defence Staff, and the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles. These interactions highlighted India’s expanding maritime presence and the powerful image of women leading from the front.
The voyage reinforced maritime diplomacy and deepened India's strategic ties with this key Indian Ocean island nation.
Lieutenant General AK Ramesh, Commandant of the College of Military Engineering, ceremonially welcomed the end of the expedition in Mumbai on June 4, 2025. In his address, he praised the mission as a milestone in gender-inclusive operational excellence, underlining how these officers had redefined what leadership looks like at sea.
More than a sailing achievement, the journey of "Triveni" was a celebration of resilience, teamwork, and the shifting tides of tradition. With their voyage, these 11 women have set a new course for future generations of officers—one where gender is no barrier and the sea belongs to all who dare to dream.
(With inputs from Press Information Bureau)
