A double tragedy struck a family residing in Dhani Dungri Wali within the Aagri area of Neem Ka Thana in Sikar district, Rajasthan. The household was already grieving the loss of 75-year-old Pabudan, who had passed away earlier that morning following an illness. While relatives and village residents were gathering at the residence to assist with funeral preparations, heartbreaking news arrived barely an hour later. The family's 18-year-old grandson, Mahendra Singh, had accidentally drowned in the deep reservoir of the Galav Ganga pilgrimage site in Ganeshwar.
Simultaneous Final Rites for Two Generations
Losing two generations in a matter of a few hours cast an overwhelming pall of sorrow across the entire village. By afternoon, the funeral processions of both elderly Pabudan and young Mahendra left the family home together. Both were cremated side by side at the same cremation ground, creating a deeply poignant scene that brought tears to the eyes of everyone in attendance.
Sequence of the Morning Incident
Mahendra Singh, son of farmer Gokul Singh, had departed from his home in Dhani Dungri Wali on a motorcycle around 6:30 AM to drop his cousin off at school. After completing the drop-off, he visited the well-known Galav Ganga pilgrimage site in Ganeshwar around 8:00 AM on his way back. While sitting on the stone steps of the sacred pond to bathe, he lost his footing, slipped, and sank into the deep water. At the moment of the incident, no other visitors were bathing at the steps.
CPR Attempt and Hospital Declaration
Around 8:30 AM, a group of young local residents arrived at the pond and spotted Mahendra submerged deep below the water's surface. They pulled him out immediately and contacted his family members. Private doctors were summoned to the spot and administered CPR in an attempt to revive him. As his condition remained critical, he was rushed to the Neem Ka Thana District Hospital, where attending medical personnel examined him and pronounced him dead.
Aspirant Preparing for Engineering Entrance
Eighteen-year-old Mahendra was taking coaching classes in Neem Ka Thana while preparing for the IIT entrance examination. His father, Gokul Singh, works as a farmer, and the family held high hopes that their dedicated son would crack the exam and build a bright future. The sudden tragedy has left his mother Datar Kanwar and father Gokul Singh inconsolable, compounding the sorrow of an elderly relative's death with the unexpected loss of their young child.
Village Demands Safety Measures at Galav Kund
Following the youth's demise, local village residents raised grave concerns regarding the persistent lack of safety barriers and precautions around the Galav Kund reservoir. Demanding that the depth of the water body be reduced and protective fencing installed, villagers stated that approximately 26 lives, including children, Kanwariyas, visiting pilgrims, and wedding party members, have been lost to drowning in this pond over the past 15 years. They noted that discussions occur after every tragic mishap, yet concrete safety interventions remain pending.
