In a groundbreaking development for the Indian Navy, Commander Prerna Deosthalee has made history by becoming the first woman to command an Indian Navy warship. This remarkable achievement was officially recognized on Navy Day, December 4, 2023, when Commander Deosthalee took charge of INS Trinkat, a fast attack craft based in Goa. The vessel is named after Trinkat Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, signifying a strong connection to India’s maritime heritage.
Commander Deosthalee’s journey to this historic position is rooted in her childhood experiences. Growing up in Colaba, South Mumbai, she was captivated by the sea and surrounded by naval activities, which sparked her interest in pursuing a career in the Navy. Armed with a postgraduate degree in psychology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, she joined the Indian Navy in 2009, propelled by a sense of adventure and a desire to serve her country. Inspired by her brother’s enlistment and her own time as a naval cadet in the NCC, Deosthalee faced challenges, famously persevering through a sailing incident that saw her sailboat capsize multiple times during her initial sailing camp in Goa. This resilience eventually led her to win a gold medal at a sailing competition in Chilka Lake, Odisha.
A pivotal moment in her career occurred while pursuing her MA in Psychology in Kolhapur when the Indian Navy opened observer positions to women for the first time. Encouraged by her father, she seized this rare opportunity, successfully passing the entrance exam and beginning her Navy career in 2009.
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Throughout her service, Commander Deosthalee earned significant accolades, including the Indian Navy Videsh Seva Medal in 2012 for her involvement in operations responding to Somali pirate attacks on a Chinese merchant vessel. Today, as the commanding officer of INS Trinkat, she confidently leads an all-male crew, emphasizing that the Navy is a gender-neutral service. “Women are already enrolled for combat duties such as fighter pilots and air operations officers,” she noted. “I was trained and tasked equally as my male counterparts.”
Commander Deosthalee’s groundbreaking accomplishment not only sets a precedent in the naval forces but also serves as an inspirational tale for young women looking to challenge gender norms in various sectors. Her leadership in the Indian Navy stands as a powerful testament to resilience, dedication, and the importance of equal opportunity. As she continues her journey, Deosthalee exemplifies the potential women have to lead and excel, paving the way for future generations to follow her pioneering example.
