In a landmark achievement for gender empowerment and joint-force integration, women officers of the Indian Armed Forces are redefining military history through Samudra Pradakshina, India’s first-ever Tri-Services, all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition.
At the forefront of this historic mission are Major Omita Dalvi of the Indian Army and Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev of the Indian Air Force—two officers who have emerged as powerful symbols of Naari Shakti on the global stage.
A Historic Global Voyage
Launched in September 2025, the nine-month expedition will span over 26,000 nautical miles, traversing some of the most challenging oceans in the world. A total of 10 women officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force are participating, sailing aboard the indigenously built Indian Army Sailing Vessel Triveni.
The team has already completed nearly 10,000 nautical miles, returning ashore temporarily before continuing the circumnavigation.
Shattering Stereotypes at Sea
Speaking about the mission, Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev highlighted the deeper purpose behind the voyage:
“Sailing has long been seen as a male-dominated field. This expedition proves why an all-women circumnavigation was necessary—to show what women are truly capable of.”
Major Omita Dalvi underlined how the expedition has dismantled multiple social myths:
“We have sailed for 45 consecutive days at sea without men onboard. Every stereotype—that women cannot handle technical work, long separations, or extreme conditions—has been broken.”
Promoting Maritime Culture and Jointmanship
Beyond empowerment, Samudra Pradakshina seeks to promote sailing and maritime sports in India, a nation with a vast coastline but limited sailing culture. The expedition also exemplifies Tri-Services camaraderie, with officers training together between 2022 and 2025, including nine preparatory sailing expeditions covering around 10,000 nautical miles prior to the main mission.
The officers credit teamwork and inter-service bonding as key enablers of success in such extreme conditions.
A Defining Moment for India
Currently navigating some of the world’s toughest waters, the expedition is expected to conclude in Mumbai by May 2026, when the remaining members return home, marking a historic milestone in India’s military and maritime journey.
With Major Omita Dalvi and Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev leading from the front, Samudra Pradakshina stands as a powerful testament to courage, endurance, and the unstoppable rise of women in uniform—proving that India’s daughters are ready to conquer not just battlefields, but oceans too.
