India, Jan. 3 -- Lal Singh Dil (1943-2007) was his name, and many remember him as the 'Poet of the Revolution' for his brief encounter with the Naxalite movement in Punjab in the 1970s, which had travelled from Bengal. Born into a Dalit family, he completed his schooling and soon drew attention for his stark, true-to-life poetry that challenged deep-rooted prejudices through subtle yet powerful words. His contact with 'ultra-left comrades' led to his imprisonment and torture, after he was charged for possessing a gun he never owned. For many years, the poet from Samrala (near Ludhiana city), was also remembered as a tea seller on Machhiwara Road, across the motor market in his hometown. The tea stall was set up with the help of his circle, who felt he needed a means of livelihood. Writers and admirers frequently visited him there. I, too, went to meet him for a story, which grew into a long bond of friendship. I also had the honour of translating parts of his memoirs and some of his poetry in a book titled 'Poet of the Revolution'. Dil died young, worn down by failing health and poverty, but continues to be remembered by friends and admirers of his work. They were pleasantly surprised when a 2026 calendar featuring him was brought out by a Jalandhar-based Punjabi newspaper, Nawan Zamana, reaffirming that his poetry still lives on in many hearts....