Broken backbone, 72 hours face-down in the ocean’s most remote stretch, no guarantee of rescue — Commander Abhilash Tomy’s story of the second solo circumnavigation.

The valedictory session of the Max City Voices of the World (VoW) Lit Fest 2025 features Commodore Abhilash Tomy — India’s most celebrated solo circumnavigator. Tomy’s story is introduced with its full weight: after his 2012 first solo non-stop circumnavigation (151 days, 40,000 km, complete silence), his second attempt ended in catastrophe in the most remote part of the Southern Ocean when his boat capsized, his backbone broke in multiple places, and he lay prone for over 72 hours without knowing if rescue was coming.

The session places Tomy’s voyages in the context of India’s remarkable maritime heritage — the same ocean-going spirit that built ancient trade routes to Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean. Doctors told him he might never sail again. He did. The session, introduced by Commodore Srikant K. Snur at the NGMA/Kitab Khana event, becomes a meditation on civilisational courage — from the ancient to the contemporary Indian sailor.

About the speaker:
Commander Abhilash Tomy, KC, NM is a retired Indian Navy officer, naval aviator and yachtsman. In 2013, he became the first Indian to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world under sail. He also competed in the 2018 Golden Globe Race.