Malayalee woman Dilna to lead historic navy mission around the world in September

KOCHI: Lt. Commander K. Dilna, a Malayalee woman in the Navy, is set to succeed Commander Abhilash Tommy in his worldwide sailing adventure. Dilna will begin her final training for the global tour after completing her initial voyage of one and a half months to and from Mauritius, a coral island in the Indian Ocean. The world tour is scheduled to commence in September. Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) that conducted the Mauritius expedition will be circumnavigating the Earth aboard the cargo ship Tarini.

Puducherry resident Lt. Commander A. Roopa will accompany her. It is indicated that the two will embark on the world tour together. Following their encounter with adverse conditions in the Indian Ocean, they returned to the base port in Goa yesterday. Abhilash Tommy flagged off the journey on February 28.

This marks the first time that India is sending women sailors on an adventure expedition, demonstrating its commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment in the maritime sector.

Tarini, commanded by Dilna and Roopa, reached the coast of Mauritius after a 22-day voyage. The Mauritius Coast Guard and the Indian Embassy hosted a reception. A joint exercise named 'Tarini' was also conducted with the Mauritius Coastal Force to enhance bilateral relations. On the return voyage from Port Louis on March 30, they encountered rough seas and winds.

Lt. Commander K Dilna

Joined the Navy in 2014 as a Logistics Officer. Excellency in cricket and shooting. She was also a member of the Navy Shooting Team. Completed a 17,000 nautical mile training cruise with other sailors last year. A native of Kozhikode, she is the daughter of the late T., an army officer, and Reeja. Her husband, Dhanesh Kumar, is also a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy.

Tarini

Tarini is the second sailing vessel of the Indian Navy (the first being INSV Mhadei). It is named after the Tara Tarini Adishakti temple built by the Kalinga emperors in Odisha in the seventeenth century. Tara Tarini Devi is the clan goddess of seafarers and sailors of ancient Odisha.