Ahmedabad : Air Marshal PV Shivanand, AVSM ,VM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command (SWAC), felicitated the nine women officers of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force who successfully completed the first-ever Tri-Services All-Women Circumnavigation Sailing Expedition, ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, onboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni at a ceremony held at HQ SWAC on 14 August 2026. The felicitation ceremony was attended by senior functionaries of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), civil administration, as well as children from various schools.
The 314-day expedition covered nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans, presenting the crew with demanding physical and mental challenges. The successful voyage reflected their courage, resilience, teamwork and unwavering commitment to the mission.
Interacting with the officers, Air Marshal PV Shivanand, AVSM, VM commended their achievement and described the expedition as a shining example of Nari Shakti and Tri-Service Jointness. He lauded the team for demonstrating exceptional determination, leadership and mental resilience in overcoming the challenges encountered during the expedition and highlighted that no endeavour is beyond reach when pursued with conviction and collective effort.
The officers shared their experiences of the voyage highlighting the challenges encountered and the lessons learnt in teamwork, leadership and perseverance. Their journey exemplifies the growing participation of women in challenging operational and expeditionary roles within the Armed Forces.
The AOC-in-C congratulated the officers for their outstanding accomplishment and stated that their achievement would serve as an inspiration for young women across the country to pursue challenging goals and break conventional barriers. The successful completion of “Samudra Pradakshina” marks a significant milestone for the Indian Armed Forces and reinforces the spirit of jointness, empowerment and excellence.
