City-based NGO Wishes and Blessings hosted the fourth edition of its annual fundraising event, Jashn-e-Qawwali 2025, over the weekend. Held on September 12, the evening drew more than 650 attendees, all gathered in support of the NGO’s flagship programme, Mann Ka Tilak, which works to provide dignity and shelter to neglected and abandoned elderly people.
The highlight of the night was the spellbinding performance by the renowned Niazi Nizami Brothers, torchbearers of the Hapur Gharana and resident qawwals of the Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah. “Music has the power to bring people together, and it gives us immense joy to know that our music performance is contributing to a meaningful initiative.” shared the troupe.
Their soulful renditions—from the timeless ‘Dama Dam Mast Kalandar’ to beloved classics like ‘Chaap Tilak’, ‘Khwaja Mere Khwaja’, ‘Kali Kali Zulfon Ke’, and ‘Hasta Hua Noorani Chehra’—turned the evening into a celebration of joy, devotion, and unity. With encores echoing through the auditorium, the performance embodied how music can bind people together in solidarity.
Founded in 2018, Mann Ka Tilak has been a sanctuary for abandoned and abused elderly citizens, offering shelter, food, medical care, and counselling. Dr Geetanjali Chopra, founder of Wishes and Blessings, addressed the gathering.
Though the initiative has already touched over 280 lives, the centre continues to struggle with space limitations. Proceeds from Jashn-e-Qawwali will go toward building a larger, permanent home—envisioned as a sanctuary of dignity, care, and love for generations to come. “We are deeply grateful to the Niazi Nizami Brothers for their support and to everyone who attended and contributed to this cause,” added Chopra.