AMID all the buzz around the upcoming movie ‘Bhuj: The Pride of India’, everyone of the present generation is getting familiar with the name of Wg Cdr (retd) Vijay Karnik, whose heroic initiative the movie is based upon. But, Nagpurians have a special reason to be proud of. For, the real life hero of the movie and the 1971 war veteran has roots in Nagpur, went to school and college in Nagpur, played in the lanes and by-lanes of Ram Nagar, and was chosen to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) when the family was staying in Nagpur. The man whose role is being played on the silver screen by top Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn in the upcoming movie has Nagpur roots. Born to Shriniwas and Tarabai Karnik, Wg Cdr (retd) Vijay Karnik has now crossed 80 years of age.

 

 

His family resided in Ram Nagar in Nagpur. His father was a top Government officer, and his mother was a renowned social worker. He and his younger siblings namely Vinod, Dilip alias Laxman, Ajay, Shobha (Choubal), and Vasanti (Mohile) got educated in Nagpur. He joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the young age of 23 years in 1962. A young Vijay joined the IAF as Flying Officer. The very next year, he was sent to Russia to learn the skills relating to bomber aircraft. Soon, he gained the reputation of being a highly capable officer. In 1971 came the moment of his life. He was posted as Base Commander of Bhuj Air Force Base in Gujarat. As everyone knows, what came to be known as ‘Bangladesh Liberation War’ broke out between India and Pakistan that year. Though much of the action was concentrated in eastern part of India, Pakistan tried to mount pressure on western front too. From December 3, 1971, Pakistan started air attack on the IAF facilities. Various facilities came under attack. Pakistan deployed Sabre jets and bombers to bomb Bhuj Air Base, which was closer to the erstwhile West Pakistan. As per the records, the runway was destroyed in intense bombing on the night of December 9, 1971.

 

As a result, the IAF aircraft could neither land nor take off from the base. In such a situation came the inputs that Pakistan had asked its battle tanks to march towards Western part of India. Time was running out fast and something had to be done. A young Sqn Ldr Vijay Karnik, being the Base Commander, was under tremendous pressure. The man, who was nine years into service, faced the daunting task of getting the base ready for air operations. As the war effort was already going on, not much of manpower was available in Bhuj to rebuild the airstrip. The construction contractor and his men were too scared to do the job. Not to be bogged down by challenges, and with an indomitable spirit and innovative mind, Sqn Ldr Vijay Karnik approached the Sarpanch and prominent villagers of Madhapur, a village close to Bhuj. The village was known for its rich people.

 

The villagers were convinced by the sincerity in the voice of the IAF Base Commander, and they agreed to help in rebuilding the airstrip. Then started the unparalleled effort, which has been portrayed in the upcoming movie. The women and people of Madhapur were known for their building skills. Around 300 women from the village put in all their energy to rebuild the airstrip in the short deadline of just 72 hours. Those 72 hours saw determination, courage, and worksmanship of these women aided by the IAF and the Indian Army in their respective roles. As per the accounts of some of these women, which were reported in newspapers later, the constructed patch was covered with cow-dung to evade the Pakistani eye. The women worked under immense pressure and intense situation, with occasions of total blackout, piercing sound of sirens, deafening sound of enemy bombs.

 

Through all these, the women worked and got the runway ready. The women with unusual courage did not charge a single rupee! It was probably for the first time that history witnessed such an act of valour by women during the heat of the war. The extraordinary feat could be achieved because of the leadership, co-ordination of efforts, sleepless nights, and courage to take a stand when it mattered the most. Under the leadership of Sqn Ldr Vijay Karnik, when the runway was ready, the IAF dominated the scene and gave Pakistan a bloody nose on western front too. The outcome of 1971 war was India’s victory and birth of a new nation -- Bangladesh. Later, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi invited these brave women to a public function and gave a group reward of Rs 50,000, it is reported. Sqn Ldr Vijay Karnik later served at various IAF units across the country in different capacities. In 1985, he rose to the rank of Wing Commander before retiring in 1986. Wg Cdr (retd) Vijay Karnik’s brothers also served in the Indian Armed Forces.

 

The Karnik family’s home in Ram Nagar, Nagpur, was sold some years ago. His sister Vasanti is married to Atul Mohile, an IAS officer who hails from Nagpur, and is currently settled in Bhopal. Wg Cdr (retd) Vijay Karnik has son Paresh, daughter Shalaka, and is currently residing in Vadodara. The movie based on his life will be released next week, ahead of Independence Day celebrations. This year, 50th anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 war and also the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence from British are being celebrated. That, the hero of a unique chapter of courage, innovation, determination has roots in Nagpur is a good reason for every Nagpurian to celebrate.