Nari Shakti Awardee Lt S Vijaya felicitated
Source: The Sangai Express / (inputs from HT)
Bishnupur, June 10 2018:
Nari Shakti Awardee and first woman of the State to ever lead and take part in the Navika Sagar Parikrama Expedition, Lt Sougrakpam Vijaya Devi of Kwakta Shandhong Sabal Leikai, Bishnupur, was extended a warm welcome by the family members and locals at the Imphal International Airport on her arrival Saturday.
A felicitation programme to celebrate her achievement was organised at Kwakta Shandhong Leikai by the local club and Meira Paibis and attended by social worker Thongam Shanti Singh as chief guest.
Sougrakpam Vijaya Devi is 4th and only daughter among five children of Sougrakpam Kunjakeshwor Singh and Sougrakpam Ongbi Bina Devi.
On March 8 (International Women's Day), the six numbered team (crew) of INSV Tarini who embarked on the Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition - Lt Cdr Vartika Joshi, Lt Payal Gupta, Lt Cdr Pratibha Jamwal, Lt Cdr P Swathi, Lt Aishwarya Boddapati, and Lt Shourgrakpam Vijaya Devi were conferred the Nari Shakti Puraskar for outstanding contribution towards women empowerment.
The award presented by the President Ramnath Kovind was received by Lieutenant S Vijaya Devi on behalf of the crew of INSV Tarini.
The expedition was flagged off by the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Goa on September 10, 2017 and circumnavigated the globe in just 254 days.
The crew covered a distance of 22,000 nautical miles.
The crew halted at five ports: Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands), Cape Town (SA) and Port Louis (Mauritius) .