Indian Navy Female Officers Navigate Earth's Most Remote Point: PM Modi Celebrates Historic Achievement in Mann Ki Baat

Dilna K and Rupa A traversed Point Nemo, Earth's most isolated location, while sailing aboard the INSV Tarini

In his recent Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended two female Navy officers. Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Rupa A achieved a remarkable feat earlier this year by crossing Point Nemo, considered Earth's most remote location, while aboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini.

Point Nemo, situated in the South Pacific and referred to as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility, is approximately 2,688 km away from the nearest landmass, making it truly the most isolated spot on Earth. The officers reached this location during their voyage from Lyttelton, New Zealand, to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, which formed the third leg of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II mission.

During the broadcast, PM Modi inquired, "So, with me, I have Lieutenant Commander Dilna and Lieutenant Commander Rupa. Are you both with me?" The officers confirmed their presence, saying, "Yes, sir, we both are." The Prime Minister responded, "Let me greet you both," to which they replied, "Vanakkam, sir. Namaskar, sir."

Addressing the nation, PM Modi said, "During this time of Navratri, we worship Shakti, the divine feminine power. We celebrate the strength of women. From business to sports, and from education to science, take any field, you will find the daughters of our country excelling everywhere. Today, they are overcoming challenges that are almost unimaginable."

He introduced the two officers as "brave officers of the Indian Navy...they have shown us what courage and determination truly mean."

The Prime Minister asked, "Rupa, I want to know about your experience during the circumnavigation. The country is eager to hear it. I am sure this was no easy task, you must have faced many difficulties."

Lieutenant Commander Rupa shared her journey experience: "In life, we sometimes get an opportunity that changes our lives. This circumnavigation was one such opportunity given to us by the Indian Navy and the Indian government."

She explained that the officers underwent three years of intensive training in navigation, communication, emergency management, and boat handling. During their voyage, they encountered fierce storms in the Southern Ocean, massive waves, freezing Antarctic temperatures, and winds reaching speeds up to 90 kmph.

When PM Modi inquired about handling adverse weather conditions at sea, the officers revealed, "We wore six to seven layers of clothing to stay warm, and sometimes used a gas stove to warm our hands. On calm days, we drifted silently with the sails down, which tested our patience. People will be amazed that our daughters of India endured such hardships."

Their journey included stops in Australia, New Zealand, Fort Stanley, and South Africa, where they engaged with local communities and represented India globally. At Fort Stanley, a remote island near South America with just 3,500 inhabitants, they discovered a "mini India" of 45 Indian residents who welcomed them warmly.

PM Modi concluded by addressing young people across the nation, particularly young women: "Listening to you, Dilna and Rupa, I feel immense excitement and admiration for your courage. Your hard work, success, and achievements will inspire the youth of our country. Keep flying the tricolor high. I wish you both all the very best for your future endeavors."

During the Navika Sagar Parikrama II mission, the officers collected water samples at Point Nemo for scientific research purposes.