Located in Gujarat, the Bhuj Rudra Mata Air Force Base shares its runway with the Bhuj domestic airport. 300 fearless women put nation before family, showcasing extraordinary courage in the face of adversity.
300 Unsung Heroes of Bhuj
Director Abhishek Dudhaiya is now making the inspirational story into a Bollywood movie titled ‘Bhuj: The Pride of India.’ It happened during the 1971 India-Pakistan war when there was unrest and chaos in the country. While our Indian soldiers fought tooth and nail with the Pakistanis, the civilians were afraid to even venture out of their homes.
Women of Bhuj: A Legend of Valor
On December 8, 1971, Pakistan’s Sabre Jets bombed Bhuj airstrip, crippling Indian operations. Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik enlisted local villagers’ help to repair it
A Story of Bravery and Sacrifice
Karnik, left with no choice and in despair, appealed to the villagers and women of Madhapur about their dilemma. To his surprise, in no time around 300 women came forward to help out the IAF with the reconstruction of the Bhuj airstrip.
Vijay then instructed the women carefully about what to do when the enemy attacks and where to hide. They even covered a portion of the airstrip with cow dung to avoid the enemy planes spotting it. The first day of work for the women and officers was terrible, as there was no food and they slept hungry near the base. The next day they were lucky to get sweets and fruits, thanks to the kindness of the local temple priests. Thus, work then began in full force. With hard work and bravery on their shoulders, the women managed to completely reconstruct the airstrip in 3 days straight.
Unveiling the Heroic Spirit of Bhuj
At 4:00 p.m. on the fourth day, the combat aircraft’s successful takeoff from the repaired strip marked a historic moment for India. The women’s valor, sacrifice, and readiness to even give their lives to their country made them national unsung heroes of their time! Squadron leader Vijay Karnik’s role will be played by Ajay Devgan in the film ‘Bhuj: The Pride of India.’ The other cast members of the movie include Sanjay Dutt as Ranchordas Savabhai Rabari Pagi, Sonakshi Sinha as Sunderben Jetha Madharparya, Parineeti Chopra as Heena Rehman, Ammy Virk as the fighter pilot, and many more. The movie was announced by producer Kumar Mangat in March this year and is slated to release on August 14, 2020.
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