From Hyderabad to the High Seas: Commander Hemanth Kumar makes history with INSV Kaundinya
Commander Y. Hemanth Kumar from Hyderabad is part of the crew aboard INSV Kaundinya, a stitched sailing vessel built using a 1,500-year-old technique, on a historic voyage retracing ancient trade routes between India and Oman.
Hyderabad: In a historic first, a son of Hyderabad is serving aboard INSV Kaundinya, a unique vessel on a voyage to revive India’s ancient maritime legacy. Commander Y. Hemanth Kumar, a native of Rajendranagar, has scripted a new chapter in maritime history as the Officer-in-Charge of an extraordinary expedition, retracing ancient trade routes between India and the Arabian Peninsula.
The historic journey began from the port of Porbandar, Gujarat, with the vessel setting sail across the Arabian Sea towards Oman. The expedition is a ‘living experiment’ designed to mirror the ancient sea routes that once connected India with the Gulf region.
Unlike modern naval vessels, the INSV (Indian Naval Sailing Vessel) Kaundinya is a traditionally built stitched sailing vessel. It was constructed using a 1,500-year-old technique where wooden planks are literally stitched together with coir rope instead of using nails or metal fastenings. The design draws inspiration from a 5th-century ship depicted in the famous Ajanta Cave murals, a press release said.
The vision for this initiative was sparked by Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, and it was brought to life through the technical expertise of Commander Hemanth Kumar.
A Naval architect with a PhD from IIT Madras, Commander Hemanth oversaw the project from its conceptual stage through to its design and construction. For the people of Hyderabad, his journey is one of immense pride, moving from his days as a local boy playing cricket under the tutelage of the legendary late cricket coach M R Baig, to leading a nationally significant naval project.
Under the leadership of Commander Hemanth and skippered by Commander Vikas Sheoran, the crew has demonstrated remarkable skill by relying on wind and ocean currents to navigate, just like ancient Indian sailors once did.
The unique expedition has already garnered widespread attention, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally flagged off the vessel from Porbandar and offered his blessings for a safe voyage.
As the ship enters Omani waters, it serves as more than just a naval exercise; it is a powerful revival of India’s forgotten maritime identity and a reinforcement of the centuries-old cultural links between India and Oman, the press release added.
On 17 Dec 2021, a moment of serendipity brought @sanjeevsanyal and the Indian Navy together into a discussion on the feasibility of designing & constructing an ancient stitched ship. That discussion culminated into INSV Kaundinya Project. pic.twitter.com/q58bePZIv7
— INSV Kaundinya (@INSVKaundinya) December 1, 2025
