New Hope, an NGO, celebrated Baisakhi festival at Swami Vivekanand Old Age Home, Model Town, on Sunday. The function was presided over by NS Nanda, president of the NGO.

Speaking on the occasion, Nanda narrated the historical facts and importance of Baisakhi. “Guru Gobind Singh formed the Khalsa Panth on this auspicious day at Anandpur Sahib, which infused a new spirit into people, irrespective of caste, colour and creed to fight against atrocities,” said Nanda.

Today’s function also coincided with the birthday of K K Bawa, chairman, Housefed, which was also celebrated by the NGO. The cake cutting ceremony was performed by Sohan Singh, a 115-year-old man, who has been residing in this Ashram for last 12 years.

Bawa applauded the sincere and untiring efforts of Nanda looking after the elderly and aged people who were being ill-treated and abandoned by their children.

On the occasion many residents pledged their bodies after death to DMC, Ludhiana, for medical research. Jawahar Lal, Prem Kumar, Raj Rani, Sita Rani, Saroj Rani, Kaushalya Devi, Krishna Wanti, Kamla Devi, Motia Rani and Shanti Devi were among those who donated the bodies.

Nanda disclosed that the number persons who had pledged to donate their bodies after death to the medical institutions for research had reached 336 and more and more people were coming forward for this noble cause. He said New Hope was successfully motivating people to donate their bodies for medical research.