Ahmedabad, August 15: Women officers of the Indian Armed Forces have set a remarkable example of maritime courage, leadership, and teamwork by successfully completing the ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ campaign. Air Marshal P.V. Shivanand, AVSM, VM, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southwestern Air Command (SWAC), honored nine female officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force during a ceremony held at the SWAC headquarters in Ahmedabad on Friday.
The ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ was a joint sailing expedition involving women from all three branches of the armed forces. Over approximately 314 days, these officers sailed aboard the Indian Army’s sailing vessel, IASV Triveni, covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans. Throughout this extensive maritime journey, the team faced various challenges, including unpredictable weather and changing sea conditions. Their success showcased their courage, patience, mental resilience, and commitment to teamwork.
During the honor ceremony, Air Marshal Shivanand engaged with the women officers, learning about their experiences. He described the campaign’s success as a brilliant example of women’s empowerment and exceptional coordination among the three services. He praised the extraordinary determination and confidence with which the officers faced the difficult situations encountered during the expedition.
He emphasized that when there is a resolute commitment to achieving a goal through collective effort, no task is impossible. The Air Marshal highlighted the achievement of these women as a source of pride for the Indian Armed Forces.
The journey of ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ was not just about covering long distances at sea; it also tested the physical and mental endurance of the officers. The team maintained coordination amidst changing weather and conditions, demonstrating that leadership, teamwork, discipline, and patience are crucial for success in challenging missions.
During the ceremony, the women officers shared their experiences from the maritime expedition, discussing the various challenges they faced, the importance of coordination, and the lessons learned in leadership. They noted that this journey provided them with valuable insights into decision-making in tough situations, mutual support, and maintaining patience. The experiences gained during the campaign will prove beneficial for future challenging missions.
The ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ campaign is viewed as a significant example of the increasing role and participation of women in the armed forces. The joint participation of female officers from all three services in this challenging maritime expedition has strengthened the spirit of women’s empowerment and inter-service coordination.
The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief congratulated all the women officers on their achievement, expressing hope that their success would inspire young women across the country. He encouraged them to pursue challenging goals and break traditional barriers.
The honor ceremony at the SWAC headquarters was attended by senior officials from the Indian Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and civil administration. Additionally, students from various schools were present at the event.
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