Naval officer from Manipur overcomes hydrophobia, to sail the globe with India's first all-women crew

Vijaya Devi, who overcame her fear of water when she joined the Indian Navy, and her crew-mates will sail across the globe from September to March 2018
Prime Minister meets and wishes the six-member crew of INSV Tarini ahead of their adventure on the high-seas
Prime Minister meets and wishes the six-member crew of INSV Tarini ahead of their adventure on the high-seas

A Manipuri woman, who had not seen the sea until she joined the Indian Navy, has set sails to circumnavigate the globe. Lieutenant Shougrakpam Vijaya Devi is among India's first ever 
all-women crew who will sail around the world. The six-member team is led by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshiand. The other members of the "Navika Sagar Parikrama" are Lieutenant Commander Pratibha Jamwal, Lieutenant P Swathi, Lieutenant Payal Gupta and Lieutenant B Aishwarya.  

As the women set out on their September 9 voyage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met them and extended his best wishes. The crew members will circumnavigate the globe on a homemade sail boat, INSV Tarini and will finish on March, 2018.  

Her being a member of the team has added to the list of women achievers from Manipur. The insurgency-ravaged state of the Northeast has gifted India and the world the likes of boxers Mary Kom and L Sarita Devi and weightlifter Kunjarani Devi.  

Vijaya Devi said she had hydrophobia which she overcame after joining the Navy. "In our region, there is no sea. So, it is only after my selection in the Indian Navy that I saw one and learnt how to swim. But initially, I used to get drowsy and nauseate at the sight of sea water. I am not afraid of it now," the woman from Manipur said. 

Vijaya Devi, who aspired to be an Army officer, said it was sheer destiny that she had joined the Navy. "The Navy was not in my scheme of things. I had always wanted to join the Indian Army. On finishing my post-graduation from Delhi University, I came across an Indian Navy advertisement and applied. I cleared all the tests to be where I am today," she said.  

Her being a member of the team has added to the list of women achievers from Manipur. The insurgency-ravaged state of the Northeast has gifted India and the world the likes of boxers Mary Kom and L Sarita Devi and weightlifter Kunjarani Devi.  
 

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