Mumbai: President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday accorded a warm welcome to Indian Navy`s Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy who became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe, solo and non-stop, over a 150-day voyage.
"To sustain a long voyage of over 150 days at sea, solo, non-stop, unassisted and sailing through some of the most treacherous oceans of the world, is a remarkable feat.
"This rare achievement showcases the spirit of determination, resolve and courage of both the individual and the organisation he represents," the President said.
He was addressing a function after welcoming Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy whose boat INSV Mhadei reached the Gateway of India after commencing its historic journey from the same spot on November 1 last year.
He said solo circum-navigation, apart from being a physically arduous task, also requires very high standards of knowledge of navigation meteorology and boat maintenance.
"The circum-navigator not only gets tossed around by the rough seas but also has to fight solitude and the imponderables of life at sea, away from civilisation.
Battling wave heights of 9-10 meters and wind speeds in excess of 100 kmph coupled with Antarctic chills can be an extreme test of human endurance," Mukherjee said.
"I am sure that this achievement of Lt Cmdr Abhilash Tomy will continue to be a source of inspiration for future generations of young seafarers. His epic voyage has placed our nation into the ranks of a few select countries whose citizens have been successful in braving such an arduous voyage," the President said.
PTI
