Donde becomes first Indian to circumnavigate the world solo

Commander Dilip Donde, who embarked on the voyage on August 19 last year on INSV (Indian Naval Sailing Vessel) Mhadei, approached the finish line as his boat, ceremonially escorted by a fast attack craft of the Indian Navy along with speedboats and two tugs operating their water canons, touched base back in India at the Sunk rock Light House here.

Vice President Hamid Ansari along with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma and Donde's family members, who were on board INS Delhi, anchored at the finish line, witnessed the historic moment and gave him a rousing reception. He was later received by them on INS Mysore.

"Having completed the voyage, I am feeling great. I could not have done it without this fine boat. I was quite convinced that anybody can do circumnavigation in a boat like this. The credit goes to Mhadei," said Donde.

"It gave me a big kick," he said after he returned to the city after the 276-day voyage, as part of the Navy's daunting 'Sagar Parikrama' project.

The Vice President described it as a momentous occasion. "It is an occasion that makes every Indian happy, proud and willing to emulate. I think that would be the greatest tribute to what Commander Donde has done. It was a long awaited first and it was done very well