Traditionally built ancient, stitched ship inducted into Indian Navy as INSV Kaundinya

New Delhi, May 21 -- The Indian Navy on Wednesday formally inducted and named the ancient, stitched ship as Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya at a ceremonial event held at Naval Base, Karwar.

The event was presided over by Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, marking the culmination of an extraordinary project that celebrates India's rich shipbuilding heritage, an Indian Navy statement said.

INSV Kaundinya is a stitched sail ship, based on a 5th century CE ship depicted in the paintings of Ajanta caves.

The project was initiated through a tripartite agreement signed in Jul 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, with funding from the Ministry of Culture.

Following the keel l...