INSV Kaundinya's Voyage to Oman: A Call for Youth to Embrace Adventure, Says MoS Sanjay Seth

Key Takeaways

INSV Kaundinya's voyage serves as an inspiration for youth.

It revitalizes ancient maritime techniques of India.

The event highlighted national pride in maritime heritage.

Minister Sanjay Seth encourages youth to embrace adventure and innovation .

INSV Kaundinya symbolizes India's historic seafaring traditions .

Mumbai, March 2 (NationPress) On Monday, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth stated that the journey of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya to Muscat serves as a motivational example for the younger generation to pursue adventure and innovation grounded in civilisational confidence.

After ceremoniously welcoming INSV Kaundinya back to Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, following her successful inaugural overseas expedition to Muscat, the Minister emphasized the project's significance on a national level.

As INSV Kaundinya made her ceremonial return, she was greeted with an enchanting display of sails and a traditional water arc salute, creating a vibrant and emotionally charged atmosphere in the harbor.

This event symbolized both pride in India's maritime legacy and admiration for the crew's achievements, as highlighted in an official statement.

Seth asserted that INSV Kaundinya embodies the revival of India's ancient maritime knowledge systems and is poised to inspire the nation's youth.

He emphasized the courage, resilience, and rediscovery spirit depicted by the voyage, urging young Indians to embrace adventure and innovation grounded in civilisational confidence.

Present at the event were Mahboob Issa Alraisi, Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman in Mumbai, along with senior officers, veterans, representatives from Hodi Innovations, notable civil society members, maritime community representatives, historians, and sailing aficionados.

During the event, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, praised the crew for their exceptional dedication and professionalism in navigating a traditionally built stitched vessel across the Arabian Sea.

He highlighted the extensive effort that went into the conceptualization, research, design, traditional construction, crew training, and execution of the voyage.

INSV Kaundinya is a 20-meter long sailing vessel of the Indian Navy, constructed using traditional stitched techniques inspired by a 5th-century CE depiction in the Ajanta Caves.

Utilizing ancient Indian shipbuilding methods, where wooden planks are stitched together with coir rope and sealed with natural resins, the vessel signifies a renaissance of India’s rich maritime heritage.

Inducted into the Navy in May 2025 and named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, the ship symbolizes India’s historic seafaring traditions and connections across the Indian Ocean.

Point of View

Reflecting the nation's enduring spirit of exploration.

NationPress

10 May 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is INSV Kaundinya?

INSV Kaundinya is a 20-meter long sailing vessel of the Indian Navy, constructed using traditional stitched techniques inspired by ancient Indian shipbuilding methods.

What was the purpose of INSV Kaundinya's voyage to Muscat?

The voyage aimed to symbolize India's maritime heritage and inspire the youth to embrace adventure and innovation.

Who attended the welcoming ceremony for INSV Kaundinya?

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Mahboob Issa Alraisi, senior naval officers, veterans, and representatives from various communities.

What did Minister Sanjay Seth say about the voyage?

Minister Sanjay Seth described the voyage as a source of inspiration for youth to engage in adventures rooted in civilisational confidence.

When was INSV Kaundinya inducted into the Navy?

INSV Kaundinya was inducted into the Indian Navy in May 2025.