05-05-2025
Story of 1971 Pakistan war where 300 women defeated the enemy through..., the women beat Pakistan with...
New Delhi: During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, Pakistan faced a brutal defeat, not just from India's military, but also from the fearless efforts of 300 women from Madhapur village, Gujrat.
During the war, there were heavy attacks on Indian military bases. On December 8, 1971, Pakistan launched a major attack on the Indian Air Force base in Bhuj, Gujarat. For the next two weeks, the base was bombed more than 35 times, and the runway was badly damaged. It was urgent to repair the runway quickly so Indian fighter jets could take off, but there weren't enough soldiers or engineers available to repair it.
That's when Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik, who was in charge of the Bhuj base, switched to an unexpected group for help, 300 local women. Despite having no experience or training, these women didn't hesitate. They carried cement, mixed mortar, and worked tirelessly day and night to repair the airstrip. Because of their continuous efforts, the runway was repaired in just three days, allowing Indian aircraft to become operational and which decisively countered the Pakistani forces.
Their efforts were appreciable. To avoid being spotted by enemy planes, the women used to wear green sarees that blended with the surroundings. When air raid sirens went off, they quickly hid in bushes. Some even used cow dung to cover parts of the runway. Despite the danger, lack of sleep, and food, they completed the task in 72 hours.
Once the runway was ready, India's fighter jets launched strong counterattacks, pushing back Pakistani forces and getting ahead of the war. The war, which began on December 3, ended with Pakistan's surrender on December 16, 1971.
Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister at the time, recognized their bold actions and honored the women by visiting Madhapur village and presented them with gifts. In 2018, the Modi government built a memorial, the 'Veerangana Smarak,' to honor these fearless women. Their story was also featured into a web series, namely Bhuj: The Pride of India, where Ajay Devgan played the role of Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik.
Kanabai Shivji Hirani, one of the women who worked on the airstrip, shared her experience. At 24 years old, she and other women worked from morning to evening, taking breaks only when it was safe to do so. In spite of the danger, they kept going, worked 24/7 for the nation. Kanabai still believes that Pakistan should be given a strong response, just like in 1971.
