India, Aug. 12 -- With the passing of Jananayak Shibu Soren, the Disom Guru of India's Adivasis, an entire epoch quietly bows out. His death is not just the end of a political journey-it is the closing of a chapter carved out in sweat, sacrifice, and the soul of a people.

To become Disom Guru-"Guru of the People"-for thousands of India's dispossessed, takes more than just flesh and blood. It takes a rare fire. A vision. A burden only a few can carry. To even imagine what he endured is no easy task. But I consider myself privileged-I witnessed Shibu Soren not from afar, but from within reach, during a defining decade of my journalistic career in the Santhal Parganas, as a correspondent for The Telegraph.

Our first meeting remains etched ...