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States » SouthPosted at: May 17 2025 5:39PM


Telugu veterans embark on transoceanic sailing voyage from NZ to India

Hyderabad, May 17 (UNI) Honouring the rich maritime heritage and seafaring traditions of the Telugu people, two veterans and senior citizens, Colonel K Srinivas (Retd), formerly of the EME, and Captain C.D.N.V. Prasad (IN) (Retd), both from the 63rd course of the National Defence Academy (1980), have set sail on a remarkable voyage across the Indo-Pacific.
The duo departed from Opua Bay, New Zealand, at 1000 hours on May 14,2025 (time zone -12), aboard their 34-foot sailboat, TYSTIE, bound for Savusavu, Fiji—their first port of call on a longer passage to India.
Currently registered in Poland, the vessel is expected to be re-registered under the Indian flag and likely rechristened VISHAKHA upon its arrival in Visakhapatnam later this year, in homage to the iconic port city.
Both officers hail from Andhra Pradesh and are proud alumni of the prestigious Sainik School, Korukonda (1971 entry batch). Over the past six decades, the school has been a vital feeder institution for the National Defence Academy and other military academies. Among its illustrious alumni is Colonel B. Santosh Babu, MVC (Posthumous), the hero of the Galwan Valley clash.
Weather permitting, the veterans are expected to reach Savusavu in approximately 12 to 13 days, accounting for navigational adjustments.
Their ambitious passage plan includes stops at Savusavu (Fiji), Port Vila (Vanuatu), the Solomon Islands, Kupang and Bali (Indonesia), Penang and Langkawi (Malaysia), Phuket (Thailand), and eventually, Sri Vijaya Puram.
Along the way, they anticipate meeting members of the Telugu diaspora and other persons of Indian origin at various ports of call.
This inspiring transoceanic adventure, undertaken by senior Indian citizens—an age group often seen enjoying quiet retirement—stands as a powerful testament to courage, passion, and lifelong exploration. Their journey is expected to motivate people of all ages to pursue adventure and connect with India’s maritime legacy.
The long Andhra coastline, with its diverse ports, beaches, and fishing villages, offers immense potential for marine tourism and the broader Blue Economy. Notably, in 2018, then-Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had inaugurated a water sports initiative in Visakhapatnam.
The arrival of TYSTIE (soon VISHAKHA) could rekindle that momentum and highlight the need for a world-class marina and berthing infrastructure in Vizag in the near future, a defence statement said on Saturday.
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