Having begun her career as a radio officer, who handles the communication part, Radhika’s interest gradually shifted to navigation. In the second round, they got two persons, but then the rope broke. Their boat’s engine failed first; then they lost the anchor and food was washed away. When we looked through the binoculars, we realised it was a boat with no accommodation," She says.On November 3, 2017, Radhika, along with her two colleagues — Suneeti Bala and Sharwani Mishra — launched the International Women Seafarers Foundation with the intention to solve problems of women seafarers. High waves of 7-9 meters, winds of 60 to 70 knots along with heavy downfall and lightning made the situation worse. She took command of the ship — MT Suvarna Swarajya — in 2012. This Republic Day, she shares with us the tale of her sailing career so far and the rescue operation that won her acclaim. The China Wholesale Custom Canopy families couldn’t believe that they were saved and were so happy.

 "We were having a rough time because of the deep depression formed near Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh). The ship’s officers and crew got ready immediately and they went out on the open deck to put pilot ladder. "I did what I wanted to do and the end result happened to be this," adds Radhika, who believes that no profession is gender specific."With President during First Woman Achiever Awards at Rashtrapati BhavanLater, she came to know that the Govt of India had nominated her for the award. She appeared for a series of examinations, cleared them all, acquired a master’s certificate and ascended up in ranks. It was coming in the opposite direction. Tents had been erected at the houses of these fishermen for performing final rites."They had passed a rope to the boat to hold the boat close to the ship."From the beginning, I wasn’t interested in a 9 to 5 job. "I went around the boat trying to create a shelter.

 "We were coming to Visakhapatnam from Budge Budge. "There is a belief among fishermen that if those who have gone to the sea didn’t return after seven days, they are considered dead."Radhika MenonThe rescue operation that won her the gallantry award took place while she was the commandant of MT Sampurna Swarajya, her third ship. I wanted to do something different," she says. I got into it, completed it and that eventually led me to join a ship with the Shipping Corporation of India," she adds. I kept going.Radhika asked the leader of the seven-member team to contact their families from the ship’s satellite phone. It was the third attempt that got all of them on board. "When you have a problem, you should analyse it properly and try to find a way out.