Cries of `Mukesh Rathod Amar Raho' rent the air as the crowd of over 5,000 people showered the truck bearing his ashes with rose petals, and children spontaneously joined in singing `Desh Hai Pukarta, Pukarti Ma Bharati...'The aircraft that brought the ashes arrived at 7:40 pm at the Ahmedabad airport last evening. As the Border Security Force aircraft came to a halt, Union Home Minister L.K. Advani disembarked, holding the urn with both hands. A folded tricolor was kept atop the urn.

It was not a procession of death. There was no grief on the faces, only pride, excitement, and the thrill that they shared the same city with a brave martyr. Ayoung boy sold balloons, tea vendors did brisk business, the narrow lanes came alive with brightly-attired women and children.

``Who knew us till a week back? Now, the entire city is here. Mukesh has made us proud,'' said the brave soldier's mother, Sanjuben Rathod, who sat surrounded by women in the three-room house. His 23-year-old wife Rajeshwari, who is five months pregnant, was still in shock, clutching the telegram informing the family that he was missing.