MHADEI: An Autobiography

by Lynn de Souza, Prashant Godbole (Photographer)

Adventures in the oceans have enthralled us for centuries - the swashbuckling courage of seafarers, the breathtaking beauty of all things oceanic, the mystery and aura surrounding life at sea - these have inspired poetry, autobiography, music, film, and history making achievements. However, who has ever read a book written by a sailboat herself - not just any sailboat, but arguably India's bravest and most famous one? Dive into the story of India's award winning solo circumnavigations around the globe as seen through the eyes and ears of the inspiring Indian Navy Sailing Vessel, the Mhadei, India's most awarded sailboat. Her story has life lessons for all of us, young and old alike, that are as relevant as they are surprising....coming from a little boat! Built in Goa, and commissioned in 2009, she successfully completed two solo circumnavigations of the globe, one of them without any stops, and participated in transatlantic races and other oceanic voyages to clock over 125,000 nautical miles in 8 short years. Numbers and medals don’t however tell the story of who she really is, and what made her so successful. Four years ago, before she set off on her last oceanic crossing so far, she decided to tell you herself. This is that story. Damaged, repaired, and docked for most of the past three years, while she waits patiently to sail the distant seas again, she believes that lessons from her life will help you find the magic in your own. Written by a seasoned media professional, Lynn de Souza, with novel photography shot by a leading advertising veteran, Prashant Godbole, both environmentalists at heart, they earnestly hope that the Mhadei's story travels as far and wide as the Mhadei herself has sailed. A poignant foreword has been penned by world record holding aerial circumnavigator, Wg Cdr (Retd) Rahul Monga. A gentle easy almost poetic one hour read, if you liked Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and the Little Prince, you will adore this.

54 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2020

Reviews

[Sanjeev Kotnala · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is different. Mhadei the book and Mhadei the boat. Lynn speaks in her author notes on her first encounter with the boat. ‘Mhadei herself was mute. Yet she spoke volumes. She always has. She left me in no doubt that I would have to tell her story someday, as someone who has nothing to do with her whatsoever, whose life does not depend on her, who has no need to earn from her, who does not and will never know how to sail her’.

Yes, in the book Mhadei, the mute Mhadei gets a very expressive voice of Lynn. She speaks about her birth and voyages, her friends and partners. You read the book, and you realise it is born out of passion, love and deep commitment to the centre of the subject- Mhadei- the most celebrated of the Navy boats. One that has clocked more than 1,25,000 nautical miles and gone around the globe many times. One which helped the Navika Sagarparikrama team learn the ropes and practice in the ocean before the all-women team did their around-the-world in Tarani.

More at https://sanjeevkotnala.com/mhadei-by-...

[Kandan Ramdas]

Mhadei has a mind, heart, soul and spirit of its own which has been beautifully captured in this autobiographical narrative- I wish the navy gives it a permanent place of honour probably bestowing an award, which will give it a well deserved place in history books as an entity which ushered in the renaissance of seafaring in India -a tradition lost in the sands of time.... The contents of the book can in fact serve as a good input for a sound and light show which can continue to inspire the younger generation....

I had the unique privilege of sailing on her with Guru at Mumbai, post the solo circumnavigation while the Sailor was in prep mode at that point in time - a memory which I will cherish...

[Vivek kulkarni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Thoughts and Rating: 5 stars! I can only imagine how challenging it must have been to tackle the voice of Mhadei the famous sail boat. But it is obvious that Lynn has done it with a finesse only a talented author like herself possibly could. With an unapologetically realistic delivery packed with subtle emotion, Mhadei chronicles the crucially difficult journey of a boat, in autobiographical style.This book is at par with the the Richard Bach classic Jonathan Livingston Seagull. It is so engrossing that you would want to read it in a single sitting.

[Naveen Kendole · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read

It's about this ship mhadei,and it's journey.
If you are not from a navy background,it's totally new experience reading the book.
There are totally new words,new things to get to know
Fell in love with mhadei.
It also conveys ups and downs are part of life.
We should face all the challenges.