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Overview-
An engrossing narrative of one man’s struggle to achieve his dream against all odds, this is both a fast-paced adventure and a telling commentary on how heroes are often made despite the system they operate in, by dint of sheer perseverance and commitment to a chosen path. Above all, it’s a paean to the power of self-belief that serves to inspire, motivate and exhilarate. On 19 May 2010, as he sailed INSV Mhadei into Mumbai harbour, Commander Dilip Donde earned his place in India’s maritime history by becoming the first Indian to complete a solo circumnavigation under sail, south of the 3 Great Capes. The feat, successfully completed by just over 200 people in the world, had never been attempted in his country before. In his own words, the book chronicles his progress over four years, from building a suitable boat with an Indian boat-builder; weaving his way through the ‘sea-blind’ and often quixotic bureaucracy; and training himself with no precedent or knowledge base in the country, to finally sailing solo around the world. During this gruelling task he was mentored by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo non-stop around the world.
About The Author-
TABLE OF CONTENTS-
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: A Path Less Travelled
Chapter 2: An Invaluable Apprenticeship
Chapter 3: A Suitable Boat
Chapter 4: Apprenticeship Again
Chapter 5: Finding a Boatyard
Chapter 6: Training on Old Sameer
Chapter 7: Humour in Uniform
Chapter 8: Training Boat
Chapter 9: The Eldemer Episode
Chapter 10: Training Sortie That Wasn’t
Chapter 11: A Womb for the Boat
Chapter 12: Finally, Some Sailing
Chapter 13: Robin’s First Visit
Chapter 14: The First Hurdle
Chapter 15: Our Boat Building Guru
Chapter 16: Adieu Sameer
Chapter 17: Mhadei
Chapter 18: Mhadei’s Baby Steps
Chapter 19: Colombo Calling
Chapter 20: The Mauritius Adventure
Chapter 21: Charting My Course
Chapter 22: The Final Checklist
Chapter 23: Down Under
Chapter 24: First Taste of the Southern Ocean
Chapter 25: A Little Town with a Large Heart
Chapter 26: The Everest of Ocean Sailing
Chapter 27: Hop Across the Atlantic
Chapter 28: Home Run
Epilogue
Glossary
REVIEWS-
“The First Indian launches you into ‘Sagar Parikrama’, a five-year mission that built the Mhadei from scratch in India and primed it for the conquest of the ‘Everest of the Seas’, her skipper Commander Dilip Donde’s incredible voyage around the world. His account of the voyage is riveting and unputdownable. This nautical page turner drips with old-school man-versus-the-elements adventure.”
“With so many odds stacked against him, Dilip Donde’s achievement is an inspiration to anyone attempting an expedition. There are many life lessons in this candid book, but what stands out most is that besides grit, determination and strength, what one really needs to go through any pioneering journey is patience, a sense of humour and a dedicated team of supporters.”
“A riveting tale of enduring conviction and grit. Cdr Donde’s evocative rendering of his intrepid path breaking voyage has the reader vicariously live through the whole experience in its measured advance, unforeseen intricacies and iridescent afterglow. The maverick seafarer, who survived bureaucratic lulls on land and daunting gales at sea, is equally adroit at telling tales.”
“Cdr Donde’s wry wit makes you forget just how daunting the experiences described in this book must have been. Such tales of courage and pioneering adventure are rare in our times, when there are few firsts left. For an Indian to accomplish this, given the many constraints, is even more extraordinary.”
“A solo sailor is solo, cut off from the world and outside assistance and dependent upon their own character and resourcefulness. This book is a tribute to Dilip’s determination to achieve the objective and become the first Indian to ever sail solo around the planet.”
"A delight to read"
"An entertaining read."
