Targeting: The light of genius shines through the clouded sky

His father died when he was two years old. Mother raised her single-handedly in Mosal. No siblings. Social struggle remained. Mihir Raika continued to shine the light of his talent in the sky covered with clouds as the name suggests. Mihirbhai's grandfather Harjibhai came to Surat at a young age from Ranaj of Patan. At the age of nine, he too lost the shadow of his parents. His elder brother only became a priest. Coming from Maldhari society, he worked hard in animal husbandry, fixed his axis in Surat, but his destiny was uncertain. After the death of his father, Mihirbhai moved to Surpura village of Becharaji taluk of Mehsana along with his mother Surekhabehn. If there was one happy thing about this village, the school there was built by Nana Nagjibhai in the memory of his little sister Rukhibhen. The teachers of this school filled Mihirbhai's eyes with the light of knowledge. He calls this school the 'turning point' of his life. Came back to Surat for further studies. Got admission in Experimental School, Surat. The environment here is different from the village school. For the first time, students were seen preparing by taking leave months before the exam. It was a new understanding for Mihirbhai that exams should be taken seriously. Cultivated interest in studies. It was during this period that Mom inspired the civil service. Graduated in Commerce. Then also studied law. In the meantime, he used to talk with his neighbor who was preparing for civil service. He read the interviews of successful candidates in magazines coming to his home. As if the dreams planted by the mother did not get sunlight on time! I thought, 'I can do this.' Here the preparation started. Early 2000s. Came to Ahmedabad in Mosal. No special guidance. At the same time G. P. S. C's announcement came out. The exam was a bit long but he got the post of sales tax officer at a very young age. The government system was new. Milind Kavatkar, a young officer with him, inspired him to take the civil services exam. Vadodara's M. S. University's I. A. S. Preparation started again in the training center. Passed Preliminary in first attempt. Public administration and Gujarati literature were the subjects according to the system of that time, but failed in mains and could not proceed. The Gujarat University Library, friends there and 'Spipa', were drawing the lines of fate. 'SPIPA' officer Satish Patel also contributed a lot. Gujarati literature was a favorite subject. Her notes were written and pasted in papers in her room. The two lines in front of the eyes while drinking tea are also useful in the exam. Hard work paid off, reached two interviews but success eluded. Confidence was high during the second personality test. The night before the result was announced, the preliminary exam was held in Ahmedabad the next morning. Result came negative, traveled all night from Surat and sat for the exam straight away in the morning. This exam itself changed the fate. Mihirbhai Nokha used to write essays on the topic well. The writing style was good. Reached the personality test. The interview lasted for 57 minutes. Questions ranging from Indo-Thailand relations to ping pong policy were asked. He kept on giving answers. Mihir Raika cleared the Civil Services Examination. He got the choice of Indian Revenue Service- Customs and Indirect Tax. He has worked at different places in Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Surat, Nadiad, Anand, Bhavnagar and currently serving as Additional Commissioner as Government Pleader in Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal at Ahmedabad. Mihirbhai's example of going through adverse circumstances will continue to shed light on darkness.}