As I pen down these verses, I am drawn to a momentous chapter in our history, a chapter that pulsates with the beating heart of Sikhi. In this poem, titled "Legacy of 1984: Rising Voices," I unravel the intricate weave of our faith, interlacing threads of valor, resilience, and unyielding devotion. With each word, I journey back to 1984, a year etched in the collective memory of Sikhs worldwide. Amidst the tumult, the defenders marched forth with love in their hearts, simran (remembrance) on their breaths, and sidak (faith) as their anchor, entering the court of shahidi (martyrdom). Through my own experiences and reflections, I invite you to traverse the landscapes of our history, where the echoes of courage resonate louder than ever before. Join me as we embark on a lyrical exploration guided by the light of Sikhi, illuminating the path toward justice, love, and eternal remembrance.

I drift,
I hear,
I listen.

In Sikhi, it is righteous to bear arms;
In Sikhi, it is tradition to carry arms.
Arms have been bestowed upon us by the Guru.
Why do you fear the arms?

Fear them not.
Carry them as a sage.
Use them with grace.
They are the Guru’s gift.
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Guru-oriented beings wield them with care,
Guru-oriented beings wield them with honor,
Guru-oriented beings use them to protect,
Guru-oriented beings use them to dismantle oppression,
Guru-oriented beings use them to defend the voiceless.

In 1984, 
Guru-oriented beings defended our Home, 
Fought for Sikhi, 
Transcended this earthly realm as defenders of Sikhi.

They fulfilled their duty.
Shook the Delhi Darbar.
Awoke a sleeping nation.
Made us stand tall.

With love in their hearts, 
With simran (remembrance) on their breaths, 
With sidak (faith) as their anchor, 
They entered the court of the shahids (martyrs).

Their courage unyielding, 
Their spirit unbreakable, 
In the face of tyranny, they stood firm, 
Their sacrifices echoing through the ages.

We will not bend.
We will not fear.
We will not hate.
We will not submit.

We will rise.
We will protect.
We will defend.
We will voice.

In their memory, we draw our strength.
In their honor, we carry the torch forward.
Their legacy lives within us, 
Guiding us through the darkest times.

With every step, we remember.
With every breath, we strive.
To uphold the principles they fought for,
To live by the values they died for.

Our resolve is unshakable.
Our mission is clear.
To uphold justice.
To protect the innocent.
To preserve the sanctity of our faith.

Together, we stand united,
Bound by a shared heritage,
Fueled by a common purpose.
We are the torchbearers of their legacy,
The guardians of their vision.

We will rise.
We will protect.
We will defend.
We will voice.
For in every heart beats the spirit of Sikhi,
In every Sikh, the teachings of the Guru ablaze.

We march forward,
Undeterred and resolute,
As saint-warriors of light,
As heralds of peace,
In the name of justice,
In the name of love,
In the name of Sikhi.

It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that “Legacy of 1984: Rising Voices” is deeply inspired by the song “ਪੂਰੇ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਤੀਰ - Poore Ho Gaye Teer.” This powerful piece, sung by Manpreet with exquisite lyrics and composition by Harmanjeet, has profoundly influenced my reflections and writing.