Menu

Vijay Karnik (IAF) Age, Career, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Quick Info→
Wife: Usha Karnik
Hometown: Nagpur
Age: 80 Years

Vijay Karnik

Bio/Wiki
Full NameVijay Kumar Karnik
ProfessionRetired Indian Air Force Personnel
Famous ForBeing in charge of the Bhuj airbase during the Indo-Pak War of 1971
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)in centimeters- 173 cm
in meters- 1.73 m
in feet inches- 5’ 8”
Eye ColourBlack
Hair ColourWhite
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)
Personal Life
Date of Birth6 November 1939 (Monday)
Age (as in 2019)80 Years
BirthplaceNagpur, Maharashtra
Zodiac sign/Sun signScorpio
NationalityIndian
HometownNagpur, Maharashtra
SchoolA local school of Nagpur
College/UniversityNagpur University, Wardha
Educational QualificationBachelor's degree in Science
ReligionHinduism
CasteMaharashtrian Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) Community
HobbiesPlaying Golf, Travelling, Gardening
Relationships & More
Marital StatusMarried
Marriage Date20 February 1965
Family
Wife/SpouseUsha Karnik (Proprietor of a Shahnaz Husain franchise)
Vijay Karnik's Wife Usha Karnik
ChildrenSon- Paresh Karnik (Works at the Times Group)
Vijay Karnik's Son Paresh Karnik
Daughter- Shalakaa Karnik (Director of a theatre group)
Vijay Karnik with his daughter Shalakaa Karnik
ParentsFather- Srinivas Karnik (Indian Government Official)
Mother- Tarabai Karnik (Homemaker)
Vijay Karnik's Parents
SiblingsBrother(s)- 3
• Vinod Karnik (Major General)
• Laxman Karnik (Wing Commander)
• Ajay Karnik (Air Marshal)
Sister- Vasanti

Vijay Karnik

Some Lesser Known Facts About Vijay Karnik

  • Vijay Karnik is a retired Indian Air Force personnel. He has served as a Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force. He is a war hero and is particularly known for his contributions in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.
  • Vijay was commissioned to the Indian Air Force on 26 May 1962. Vijay Karnik
  • He undertook the 21 NAV Course after being commissioned.
  • In 1967, Vijay was posted in Pune with the 6 Squadron.
    Vijay Karnik
  • During the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, Karnik was a squadron leader, and he was posted in Bhuj. He was in charge of the Bhuj Airport.
  • On 8 December 1971, Pakistan attacked the Bhuj airbase and destroyed its airstrip by dropping 14 Napalm bombs from 8 squadrons of Sabre jets. The airstrip had to be made operational as soon as possible due to the ongoing war. As there was a lack of workers at the airbase, Karnik convinced 300 women from the Madhapar village nearby to help them rebuild the airstrip. The women had started working, but Pakistani jets kept bombing the airbase. Karnik instructed the women to cover the repaired portion of the airstrip with cow dung to camouflage their progress. He gave them instructions as to where to hide when the Pakistani jets would bomb the airbase. The women completed the repair work in 72 hours and helped the airbase resume its operations.

    Women working to rebuild the Bhuj Airstrip in 1971

    Women working to rebuild the Bhuj Airstrip in 1971

  • When the war was over, the rebuilding of the airstrip was named as the “Pearl Harbour Moment of India”.
  • After the war, Indira Gandhi recognized the contributions and the efforts of these women, and they were awarded a group award of 50,000 INR by the Indian Government.
  • On 1 October 1985, Karnik was promoted as a Wing Commander.

    Wing Commander Vijay Karnik

    Wing Commander Vijay Karnik

  • On 14 October 1986, Karnik retired from service.
  • He loves golf, and he believes that golf is an ancient Indian game.

    Vijay Karnik (Extreme Right) at a Golf Club

    Vijay Karnik (Extreme Right) at a Golf Club

  • Karnik is an ardent follower of Narendra Modi, and he supports the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).