From stormy seas to a hero’s welcome: Lt. Cmdr. Dilna returns to Kozhikode

Lt. Commander K. Dilna, who recently completed a circumnavigation by sailboat, being welcomed at the Kozhikode railway station by her mother K.P. Reeja and sister K. Deepthi, on June 9.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

For the eight-long months that Lt. Commander K. Dilna braved the ocean and its many challenges, her mother K.P. Reeja spent sleepless nights in Kozhikode, anxious about her daughter’s safety. “I could heave a sigh of relief only when I heard the news that she had landed safely in Goa,” said Ms. Reeja, her face glowing with pride as their hometown of Kakkodi, a suburban village in Kozhikode, gave Ms. Dilna a warm welcome on Monday (June 9).

Dilna, along with Lt. Commander Roopa Alagirisamy, a native of Pondicherry, recently made history by becoming the first Indian women to circumnavigate the globe in a double-handed sailing mode aboard the INSV Tarini. As part of the Indian Navy’s Navika Sagar Parikrama, the duo covered 25,400 nautical miles over 239 days.

“They faced severe hardships—cyclones, torrential rains, and rough seas. They could only enjoy a proper meal when they reached shore once a month or so. Otherwise, they survived on canned food. There were even days they went without eating, having grown tired of the limited options,” said Ms. Reeja.

Lt. Cmdr. Dilna followed in the footsteps of her late father Devadas, a former Army officer, in choosing a career in the armed forces. Her educational journey began at Veda Vyasa Vidyalayam and continued through Kendriya Vidyalaya, East Hill; Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for Girls, Nadakkavu; and Providence College in Kozhikode. She joined the Indian Navy in 2014. “Dilna always wanted to join the armed forces. She won several awards in rifle shooting during her time in the National Cadet Corps. Though we were initially hesitant about her going on the circumnavigation mission, her unwavering determination convinced us,” said Ms. Reeja.

Meanwhile, the civic reception for Lt. Cmdr. Dilna turned into a moment of celebration for the entire village. Dilna’s mother, along with sister Deepthi and officials from the Kakkodi grama panchayat, received her at the Kozhikode Railway Station and hosted a tea party in her honour at the panchayat office.

The festivities continued with a grand procession from Parambil Kadavu to her home. The procession featured a traditional Shinkari melam and was joined by local people, including ex-servicemen in uniform.