On a voyage to save Planet Earth

Lieutenant-Commander Abhilash Tomy, who is all set to create a record of being the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe solo, non-stop and unassisted, has announced a contest for teenagers.

The announcement, which Tomy made on a social networking site, reads: “If you are between the ages of 13 and 18 years, write to me about how sailing protects the environment in less than 50 words...”

The prize is a chance to sail with him on INSV Mhadei. The contest is open for another fortnight.

The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Mhadei and its skipper are expected to reach Mumbai in the first-half of April.

“The contest is Tomy’s initiative to encourage students and youth to protect the environment,” said an officer from the Western Naval Command, where an event will be held to welcome the record-maker.

 “Winners will get to sail after he reaches Mumbai, as it’s a solo, unassisted voyage, or else it won’t be called a record,” added the naval officer.

Presently, Tomy is sailing in the Indian Ocean, crossing Mauritius. INSV Mhadei has already covered 20,500 nautical miles. The sailing for the record attempt was flagged off on November 1, 2012, from  the Gateway of India.

Students are not only being encouraged by the sailor but also by his friend Swapnali Dabugade who has started a programme to take project Sagarparikrama 2 to schools. So far, she has shared stories of the project with nearly 2,500 students of 15 schools.

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