Targeting: How did the Surti youth reach Assam?

Three decades ago, a young man from Surat in Gujarat boarded a train from Surat station to Dibrugarh in Assam. After a long journey of 86 hours and two and a half thousand kilometers, there was a gasp when I stepped on the Dibrugarh station. A short distance away, the waters of the Brahmaputra were gurgling, tall betel trees swaying. The city is steeped in history, famous since the British era. The young man had some papers in his bag. One of the papers had important details – Name Avinash Joshi, Indian Administrative Service, Cadre Assam. Avinash Joshi, originally from Rajasthan and brought up in Surat since birth, left the western end and came to the eastern side. He had his primary education in Surat. Hindi medium till 10th and then in Gujarati medium. Chose commerce after 10th standard. It came fourth in the entire state at the time. Asked the father, 'What should I do next?' Father said, 'I. A. S. I would love to be.' I. A. S. I didn't know why then, but those words were imprinted in my mind. This idea got home in his mind. Not much good guidance was available at that time. Initially working in the insurance sector and later got a job in the Gujarat Administrative Service in the Government of Gujarat. All preparation done with job. Two to three hours a day and when the men's exam comes, I kept a habit of reading six to seven hours a day for two to four months. Diligence and consistency are essential in civil service. Spipa's contribution was also big. The first three attempts were unsuccessful. In those years there was one optional subject in prelims and two optional subjects in mains. The fourth attempt was the final one. Like fighting across. Good command over Gujarati language. Changed the subject and finally chose Gujarati literature. After experiencing three failures, Avinashbhai succeeded in the last attempt. He secured 43rd rank. But father said that Avinash is very common name, check again.' Checked again. Yes, the same Avinash Joshi who was standing holding the phone, his All India rank is 43. Avinash Joshi had already targeted during the period of lack of guidance. I. A. S. It was decided to meet. But in those years, the problem of Narmada was not solved, the government of Chimanbhai Patel appointed direct recruitment I. A. S. Recruitment of officers in Gujarat cadre was stopped. In these circumstances, Avinash Joshi was allotted the Assam cadre. Avinashbhai worked in different positions in Assam. Dhubri remained the Collector of Guwahati. The experience of the 2007 National Games was also there. Also held the responsibility of Home-Forest Department as Additional Chief Secretary. He came to Gujarat on interstate deputation between the years 2000-2003. The initial posting in the Primary Education Department took place here, around the time the earthquake struck. Played a role in the renovation of schools. Nine thousand new rooms and forty thousand rooms were repaired. Which was noticed at national and international level. Also served as Sabarkantha Collector. The best collector award was also received for the work here. Assam also benefited from his experiences in Gujarat. Helped in infrastructural development of schools in Assam. He was also the Managing Director of ONGC Petro Additions Limited Opal. Currently he is serving as Additional Secretary in the Government of India in the important Department of Personnel and Training of the Government. He says, 'IAS is a service full of diversity and challenges. Its canvas is wide. From a young age you get the opportunity to do public useful work at different levels of government. Avinash Joshi's goal setting inspires to be parsimonious towards hard work.}

Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).