Vijay Karnik is a retired Indian Air Force officer who served as Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He is famous for mobilizing the women of Bhuj to aid the Indian Army during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
Wiki/Biography
Vijay Karnik was born on Monday, November 6, 1939 in Nagpur, Maharashtra (age 80 in 2019) as “Vijay Kumar Karnik” . His zodiac sign is Scorpio. He completed his schooling in Nagpur and went to Nagpur University in Wardha for his Bachelor of Science degree.
appearance
Eye color: black
Hair color: white
family, caste and wife
Vijay Karnik belongs to the Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) community in Maharashtra. He was born to Srinivas Karnik (a senior government official) and Tarabai Karnik.
Vijay Karnik’s parents
He has three brothers, Vinod Karnik (Major General), Laxman (Wing Commander) and Ajay Karnik (Air Marshal), and a sister named Vasanti. On February 20, 1965, he married Usha Karnik (owner of Shehnaaz Hussain Franchise).
Vijay Karnik’s wife Usha Karnik
He has a daughter named Shalakaa Karnik (director of We Can Do It (theatre group)) and a son named Paresh Karnik (who works at Times Group).
Vijay Karnik and his daughter
Vijay Karnik’s son Paresh
Profession
Vijay Karnik joined the Indian Air Force on May 26, 1962. He served as Squadron Leader in Bhuj during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik
He participated in the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the 1965 India-Pakistan War, and is famous for his contribution in the 1971 India-Pakistan War. In 1967, he was posted to No. 6 Squadron, Pune. He was promoted to Wing Commander on October 1, 1985 and retired on October 14, 1986.
India’s Pearl Harbor moment
During the 1971 India-Pakistan war, on the evening of December 8, Pakistan sent eight squadrons of Saber fighter jets and dropped more than 14 napalm bombs on Bhuj, destroying the Indian Air Force airport. Due to the ongoing war, the air base had to be put into use, so the airport was in need of repairs. But time is tight and there is a shortage of workers for the runway repair work. Vijay Kumar Karnik (then Squadron Leader) was in charge of the Bhuj airport and decided to rebuild the airport with the help of local people. He convinced around 300 women from Madhapar in Bhuj to help the Indian Army. Karnik, along with two senior officers from the 50th Corps of the Indian Air Force and the 60th Corps of the Defense Forces, ensured that the airstrip remained operational after the explosion. Thanks to the collective efforts of Kanik and 300 rural women, the airport returned to normal in just 72 hours.
Bhuj women working for the Indian Air Force during the 1971 Indo-Pak war
fact
- Vijay enjoys gardening and traveling.
- He enjoys playing golf and considers golf to be an ancient Indian sport.
Vijay Karnik and his golf club
- Karnik admired Maharaja Ganga Singh (1888-1943), the king of Bikaner, who was considered one of India’s modern reformist visionaries.
- Vijay Karnik supports the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is a follower of Narendra Modi.
- Ajay Devgn played “Vijay Karnik” in the 2019 war drama “Bhuj: The Pride of India” directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya Karnik)”. The film tells the story of 300 women warriors and the contribution of Vijay Karnik in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
1971. Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik and his team. 300 brave women. Reconstruction of damaged Indian Air Force airfield. “Bhuj-Pride of India” pic.twitter.com/HZYxPOn0Du
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) March 19, 2019
- Talking about the film and Ajay Devgn, who plays his character in the film, Vijay said:
We are fighting a war and if there are any casualties among these women, it will be a huge loss. But I made the decision and it worked out. I briefed them on where to take shelter if attacked, and they bravely followed the instructions. Also, I can only see Ajay Devgn commenting on my character and I’m glad he’s on board. “
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education