Kochi: “Papa, Papa, come quickly...” The excited call of three-and-a-half-year-old Rithubhadrā rang out as Sudarshini approached the Kochi coast. She was delighted to see her father, Ananthu, standing on the mast with his arms outstretched.

To advertise here,

Like Ananthu, several sailors aboard the sailing ship were eager to rush into the arms of their loved ones waiting on shore. With smiles reflecting pride and happiness, family members welcomed the sailors back with flowers, saying, “Welcome back home.”

The Indian Navy’s advanced three-masted training ship INS Sudarshini returned to Kochi on Monday after completing a 10-month global voyage. The ‘Lokayan’ expedition, which began from Kochi on January 20, came to an end after 287 days.

Sudarshini covered a distance of 41,000 km, sailing through the Arabian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Suez Canal and the Atlantic Ocean. During the voyage, the ship visited 18 ports in 11 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.

The Lokayan expedition marked Sudarshini’s first-ever crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. From Kochi, the vessel sailed to Salalah in Oman and continued its journey through Egypt, France, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Portugal, United States, Malta, Cape Verde and Antigua.

Sudarshini also became the first Indian Navy ship to visit Spain’s Canary Islands. During the voyage, it represented India at two major international sailing festivals — ‘Escale à Sète’ in France and ‘Sail 250’ in the United States.

Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, welcomed Sudarshini back to Kochi. The ship’s captain, Commander N.P. Ravikant, shared the pride of taking India’s maritime heritage to the world. He celebrated his return by embracing his twin children.

Four-year-old Vihaan was also waiting to welcome his father, Lieutenant Commander P. Rahul. Holding a drawing of the sea and a ship with the message, “Welcome Papa, We Missed You Very Much,” the little boy was greeted with an emotional embrace. Rahul hugged his son with tears in his eyes.