A sailor, a boat and tricolor; this picture awakes us with a message ‘Courage is the biggest pillar of Patriotism’

Mumbai, August 16: A sailor, a boat, and tricolor; this is a story of a pilot in the Indian Navy, who has spent much of his career sailing for the country, He is none other than Commander Abhilash Tomy KC who is representing India in the Golden Globe Race 2018 (GGR). This following vibrant picture shows our Tricolor waving freely with Indian Vessel Thuriya.

 

The sailing is a part of the prestigious Golden Globe Race (GGR) that commenced from Les Sables d'Olonne harbor in France. Abhilash Tomy is the only officer to be chosen for the race from the whole of Asia. According to the rules, no boat designs or technology fresher than 1968 can be used for the same. Therefore, there can be no use of Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite communication and navigational aids.

The Golden Globe Race is being conducted by Sir Robin Knox Johnston of UK to commemorate 50 years since the world’s first solo non-stop circumnavigation undertaken by him in 1968 onboard the Indian built boat, Suhaili. The race is expected to complete at Les Sables d’Olonne in April 2019. The progress of the race can be viewed on the official GGR website (http://goldengloberace.com/)

 

Abhilash has covered 52,000 miles under sail while in the Navy including a solo non-stop circumnavigation from Mumbai and back in 2012/13. He has also represented India in the 2011 Cape Town to Rio Race, the Spanish Copa del Rey Race in 2014 and the Korea Cup for two years in succession. He has been awarded the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, the Kirti Chakra for valour and courageous action and Mac Gregor medal.