Vijay Karnik is a retired Indian Air Force officer who served as a Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force (IAF). She is famous for her contribution in organizing the women of Bhuj to aid the Indian Army in the Indo-Pak war of 1971.
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Wiki/Biography
Vijay Karnik was born as ‘Vijay Kumar Karnik’ on Monday, 06 November 1939 (age 80 years; as in 2019) in Nagpur city of Maharashtra. Their zodiac sign is Scorpio. He did his schooling from Nagpur and went to Nagpur University in Wardha to obtain a bachelor’s degree in science.
Physical Appearance
Eye colour: black
Hair Colour: White
Family, Caste and Wife
Vijay Karnik belongs to the Maharashtrian Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) community. He was born to Srinivas Karnik (a senior government official) and Tarabai Karnik.
Vijay Karnik’s parents
He has three brothers named Vinod Karnik (Major General), Laxman (Wing Commander), and Ajay Karnik (Air Marshal) and a sister named Vasanti. On 20 February 1965, he married Usha Karnik (owner of the Shahnaz Hussain franchise).
Vijay Karnik’s wife Usha Karnik
They have a daughter named Shalaka Karnik (director of We Can Do It (a theater group)) and a son named Paresh Karnik (works at The Times Group).
Vijay Karnik with his daughter
Paresh, son of Vijay Karnik
livelihood
Vijay Karnik was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 26 May 1962. He served as a squadron leader in Bhuj during the India-Pakistan war of 1971.
Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik
He fought in the India-China War of 1962, India-Pakistan War of 1965 and is especially known for his contribution in the India-Pakistan War of 1971. In 1967, he was posted to 6 Squadron in Pune. On 01 October 1985, he was promoted as Wing Commander and retired from his service on 14 October 1986.
India’s Pearl Harbor moment
During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, on the night of 8 December, Pakistan sent eight squadrons of Saber jets and dropped more than 14 napalm bombs on Bhuj, destroying Indian Air Force airstrips. The airstrip was in need of repair as the airbase had to be turned over due to the ongoing war. However, time was short and there was a shortage of personnel to restore the runway. Vijay Kumar Karnik (Squadron Leader at that time) was in-charge of Bhuj airport and decided to take the help of the local people to reconstruct the airstrip. He was able to convince about 300 women of Madhapar, Bhuj to help the Indian Army. Karnik, along with two senior officers, from 50 IAF and 60 Defense Corps, ensured that the airstrip was operational despite the bombing. With the collective efforts of Karnik and 300 women of the village, the airstrip was restored in just 72 hours.
Bhuj women working for the Indian Air Force during the Indo-Pak war of 1971
fact
- Vijay likes gardening and travelling.
- He loves golfing and believes that golf is an ancient Indian game.
Vijay Karnik with his golf members
- Karnik admires Maharaja Ganga Singh, the Raja of Bikaner (1888–1943), who is considered one of the greatest modern reformist visionaries in India.
- Vijay Karnik supports the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is a follower of Narendra Modi.
- Ajay Devgan was selected to play the role of ‘Vijay Karnik’ in the war drama film titled “Bhuj: The Pride of India” directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya in 2019. The film follows the story of 300 warrior women and Vijay Karnik’s contribution in 1971. India Pakistan war.
1971. Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik and team. 300 brave women. Reconstruction of damaged airstrip of Indian Air Force. ‘Bhuj- The Pride of India’ pic.twitter.com/HZYxPOn0Du
– Ajay Devgan (@ajaydevgn) 19 March 2019
- Talking about the film and Ajay Devgan who played his character in the film, Vijay says-
We were fighting a war and if any of these women had died, it would have been a huge loss. But I took the decision and it worked. I told them where they could take shelter if attacked and they followed it bravely. Apart from that, I could only see Ajay Devgan playing his character and I am glad he is in it.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn