Vijay Karnik

Retired Indian Air Force Personnel

Indian Nagpur

Quick Info

ProfessionRetired Indian Air Force Personnel
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth06/11/1939
Age86 years
BirthplaceNagpur

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Bio/Wiki

Full NameVijay Srinivas Karnik
Famous ForBeing in charge of the Bhuj airbase during the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and rallying 300 women to rebuild the airstrip after Pakistani bombing

Physical Stats & More

Height173 cm
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorWhite

Educational Qualification(s)

College/UniversityNagpur University, Wardha
Educational QualificationBachelor's degree in Science

Personal Life

Zodiac sign/Sun signScorpio
SchoolA local school of Nagpur
ReligionHinduism
CasteMaharashtrian Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) Community
Hobbies
  • Playing Golf
  • Travelling
  • Gardening

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Marriage Date20/02/1965

Family

SpouseUsha Karnik (Proprietor of a Shahnaz Husain franchise)
Children
  • Paresh Karnik (Works at the Times Group)
  • Shalakaa Karnik (Director of a theatre group)
Parents
FatherSrinivas Karnik (Indian Government Official)
MotherTarabai Karnik (Homemaker)
Siblings
  • Vinod Karnik (Major General)
  • Laxman Karnik (Wing Commander)
  • Ajay Karnik (Air Marshal)
  • Vasanti

Career

Military Service
Service/BranchIndian Air Force
RankWing Commander
Years of Service1962-1986
Unit6 Squadron
Wars/Battles
  • Sino Indian War (1962)
  • Indo-Pakistan War (1965)
  • Indo-Pakistan War (1971)

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Vijay Karnik joined the Indian Air Force on 26 May 1962.
2. He spearheaded the rebuilding of the Bhuj airbase with 300 women during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.
3. The women received a collective award of 50,000 INR from the Indian Government.
4. Post his retirement, Karnik is recognized for his passion for golf and his backing of the BJP.
5. A movie depicting his courageous actions in the 1971 war is in production, featuring actors like Ajay Devgn.
6. He undertook the 21 NAV Course after being commissioned.
7. On 1 October 1985, Karnik was promoted as a Wing Commander.
8. On 14 October 1986, Karnik retired from service.
9. He was the youngest base commander in 1971 with nine years of service, while other base commanders had 18-20 years of service.
10. On the night of December 8, 1971, when Pakistan dropped Napalm bombs on the Bhuj airstrip in Gujarat, Karnik rallied 300 women from a nearby village to rebuild the runway.
11. He ensured the Bhuj airbase remained operational despite heavy bombing, with a team of 50 air force and 60 defence security corps personnel.
12. A movie titled Bhuj: The Pride of India depicting his courageous actions in the 1971 war features actor Ajay Devgn in the lead role.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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