India’s ‘Triveni’ Makes Waves in Perth: Seven Women, Three Forces, One Ocean

by Pooja Bhardwaj October 29, 2025

By Pooja Bhardwaj October 29, 2025 0 comments 4 minutes read

The Consul General of India in Perth, Kajari Biswas, and Head of Chancery, Naresh Kumar, welcome the crew of IASV Triveni at Fremantle Sailing Club on October 27, 2025. PHOTO: CGI, Perth

Against the backdrop of Perth’s evening skies, the Indian Army Sailing Vessel “Triveni” berthed at Fremantle Sailing Club at 5:15 p.m. on October 27, 2025, marking the first international stop in a landmark global circumnavigation by an all-women Tri-Services crew.

The crew was received by Consul General of India in Perth, Kajari Biswas and Head of Chancery, Naresh Kumar, who welcomed them on behalf of the Government of India and acknowledged their historic voyage.

According to details shared exclusively with South Asian Herald by the Consulate General of India (CGI), Perth, this is the first time women officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force have come together for a round-the-world expedition.

This mission symbolizes the unity and synergy of the three services, hence the name “Triveni,” meaning “the confluence of three.” Building on the Navy’s 2017–18 Indian Navy Sailing Vessel “Tarini,” circumnavigation, which saw six women naval officers sail around the globe, Triveni takes that legacy forward as the first Tri-Services endeavor, extending the spirit of adventure and resilience across all branches of the Indian Armed Forces.

The 50-foot “Triveni,” described by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) as India’s indigenously built sailing yacht constructed in Puducherry, was acquired by the Indian Army earlier this year. The crew of seven officers, led by Expedition Leader Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar and Deputy Expedition Leader Squadron Leader Shraddha P. Raju, set sail from the historic Gateway of India in Mumbai on September 11, 2025. Other crew members include: Major Karamjeet Kaur; Major Omita Dalvi; Lieutenant Commander Priyanka Gusain; Wing Commander Vibha Singh; and Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev.

**The all-women crew of IASV Triveni at the Gateway of India, Mumbai, before setting sail on September 11, 2025. PHOTO: PIB**

According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the officers have undergone an intensive two-and-a-half-year training program under experienced instructors from the Heavy Bridging Training Camp (HBTC) in Marve. Their preparation included a training expedition to Seychelles and covered multifarious skills such as navigation, communication, scuba diving, basic medical aid, and blue-water sailing at both basic and intermediate levels.

CGI, Perth noted that “Triveni,” is equipped with modern navigation, communication, and safety systems and represents a significant milestone in India’s indigenous maritime capability. It added that “In the Indian Army, blue-water sailing is pursued not merely as an adventure sport but as a reflection of leadership, resilience, and teamwork, values deeply ingrained in its officers.”

This mission aims to inspire youth to embrace adventure and challenges, highlight the increasing and vital role of women in the Indian Armed Forces, and promote awareness about marine conservation and the impact of climate change in the maritime domain, according to CGI, Perth.

PIB confirms that over the next eight to nine months, the team will cover approximately 26,000 nautical miles, rounding the world’s great southern capes Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope crossing the Equator twice, navigating through the challenging Southern Ocean belt and the Drake Passage with stop-over at four international ports.

Supported by the Ministry of Defense, the expedition celebrates Nari Shakti (the spirit of women’s strength and empowerment) in uniform, promotes maritime awareness, and highlights India’s growing indigenous capability under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

The Consulate General in Perth noted that Fremantle is the first of four international ports on the voyage and that the vessel will remain in Perth until November 8, 2025, before departing for its next leg to New Zealand. According to PIB, the subsequent stopovers will include Lyttelton in New Zealand, Buenos Aires in Argentina, and Cape Town in South Africa, before returning to Mumbai in May 2026.