His mother broke down at the sight of his body, while his father, Lalchand, said with pride, 'I have dedicated my son to the nation.' A 22-km-long Tricolour procession from Churu to his village, Peethisar, saw hundreds of villagers marching with slogans of 'Mahesh Amar Rahe.' Army officers presented the national flag to his father, and his younger brother lit the funeral pyre. Leaders, including former LoP Rajendra Rathore and MLA Harlal Saharan, paid their respects. Mahesh was admitted to hospital after developing a fever during training, with symptoms resembling dengue. His father, on his way to Delhi, received the news of his son’s death at Sadulpur. This tragic incident highlights the emotional and physical toll on young recruits and their families under the Agnipath scheme.