Wishes and Blessings NGO Organized Fundraising Concert to Support Qawwals’ Community
New Delhi: Under the COVID Relief Project, Delhi-based NGO, Wishes and Blessings, recently supported the internationally renowned Qawwali troupe, Niazi Brothers, a troupe that has been drastically affected due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, by way of a fundraising musical concert. The event, Jashn-E-Qawwali, which was scheduled on July 31 was streamed on BookMyShow, India’s leading entertainment destination and its charity initiative BookASmile supported the cause. The official Radio Partner for the event was 92.7 BigFM. The fundraiser sold over 200 tickets and saw over 500 people in attendance.
The musical concert was organized as an initiative by Wishes and Blessings NGO to help the artists in need. The NGO, which has been providing its COVID Relief help to vulnerable communities since day 1 of the lockdown i.e. 25th March 2020, has since expanded to 8 states across India to help those in need. The concert is one of its kinds that the NGO has organized in its 7 years of existence.
“The Corona virus outbreak has affected many lives. One such section comprises of artists as well as artisans, who survive on events and concerts. Due to the lockdown, physical events are not allowed, and they have no other means to support themselves. We are glad that we got an opportunity to help the community in our own way. I am thankful to everyone who came forward to help the community and took part in the fundraising concert”, says Dr. Geetanjali Chopra, Founder, and President, Wishes and Blessings.
At the virtual concert, Niazi Brothers gave their power-packed performances on Qawwalis such as ‘Bhardo Jholi Meri’, ‘Piya Ghar Aaye’ and ‘Dama Dum Mast Qalandar’. “We as artists, if truth be told, were struggling because of the pandemic and following lockdowns. We reached out to Wishes and Blessings NGO for support, and they compassionately agreed to come ahead and help us by organizing this online concert. We are thankful and are glad that through this opportunity, we could be a voice for many artists who are suffering in these critical times. We are very grateful for this support.” says Shahid Niazi, Lead Artist, Niazi Brothers.
BookASmile has generously extended their aid to the cause by matching the sale of tickets. Out of the total funds raised, Rs 1 lakh has been disbursed to the Niazi Brothers themselves, and the remaining funds will be utilised to hold a ration drive for the musician community residing in Rampur.
Shahid Niazi and Sami Niazi, the lead singers and their troupe, Niazi Brothers, exhibit an extraordinary talent for versatile singing such as Qawwali, Naat, Ghazals, Bhajan, Geet, Folk etc. They never forget to send a message of brotherhood and peace through their singing.
Wishes and Blessings COVID Relief
The Wishes and Blessings Covid Relief Project was officially launched on day 1 of the lockdown i.e. 25th March 2020 and provided relief and aid in 7 states across India. Since then, the team has served over 20,00,000 meals, distributed 70,000+ dry ration kits, and provided 23,000+ hygiene kits to the beneficiaries. Wishes and Blessings had launched the WB Ambulances for Covid Relief Project in August 2020 wherein free transport was provided to the underprivileged to reach treatment centers and execute tests in quarantine zones. Currently, the Covid Relief Project is active in 4 states- Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, and aims at fulfilling immediate and long-term requirements of the needy and destitute affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
Wishes and Blessings
Wishes and Blessings is a registered NGO based in Delhi, with a presence in Assam, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Set up under the aegis of Dr. Geetanjali Chopra in 2014, the organization cuts across the spectrum of gender and age to help those who need it. The NGO is a unique platform to connect donors and beneficiaries and bring together those blessed to help those who have unfulfilled wishes. They believe that happiness is not just an end, but a means to an end as well, and therefore do not have one focus area but 6 causes among which are education, nutrition, care for elders, relief, customizable charity, and the overall cause of happiness.