India, May 22 -- Kaundinya, a stitched vessel constructed at Divar island, Goa, was inducted in the Indian Navy at Karwar, Karnataka, on Wednesday. The vessel has been built as part of a joint venture between the Indian Navy, ministry of culture and M/s Hodi Innovations, based in Divar, Goa. Minister of culture Gajendra Shekhawat was the chief guest at the event. The ship will eventually embark on its maiden transoceanic voyage between Gujarat to Oman -- an ancient trade route -- a naval spokesperson told Hindustan Times.

According to the western naval command, this form of ship building is "in keeping with India's rich maritime tradition, dating back several millennia". The ship has been constructed in alignment with the ancient shipbui...