Vice President Ansari honours 'Sagar Parikrma' hero Commander Donde

Mumbai, May 22(ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Saturday honoured Indian Navy Commander Dilip Donde, who returned to Mumbai today after undertaking a 277 day round the world solo sailing trip called the 'Sagar Parikarma', at a function here.

Commander Donde is the first Indian, and the second Asian to have achieved this feat.

Speaking on the occasion Vice President Ansari said the achievement of Commander Donde served as a demonstration of courage, determination and skill and for we Indians it was long awaited.

Ansari further said that for any venture two things are important "the spirit of adventure and the innovation".

"No nation in the history of world attained anything without these two things," Ansari said.

Praising the Indian Navy, he said that this exercise would not have been possible without the support of Indian Navy.

Commander Donde begun his venture on August 19, 2009, in the INSV Mhadei, the first fiberglass yacht constructed entirely in India.

He sailed through the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Arabian Sea. He also sailed along the Equator.

Commander Donde made only four halts during his voyage, at Fremantle- Australia, Christchurch- New Zealand, Port Stanley- Falkland islands and Cape Town- South Africa.

"It was a project we started in 2006. I have been working on it for four years. So, it's the completion of the project and we achieved all the aims we set out for ourselves. And it does give you a big kick being the first Indian doing it and the 175th person in the world. So, it feels good," Commander Donde said. (ANI)