Archers Deepika, Atanu to tie knot

Kolkata, June 27: Masks, sanitisers and strict social distancing measures would be in place when top Indian archers Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das tie the knot at Morabadi in Ranchi on Tuesday.

Getting hitched amid the

COVID-19 pandemic to make use of the “free time,” the duo’s invitation cards carry small notes that request the guests to adhere to the government’s

Covid-19 guidelines. “Mask, sanitisers will be given out to the guests on their arrival. We have made elaborate arrangements, booked a big banquet hall so that social distancing is properly maintained,” Deepika said, adding, “We won’t touch anything. We want ourselves to be safe and at the same time protect others.”

Only 60 invitation cards were printed and the duo have given two time slots in the evening for the guests to attend the reception, while the family members will stay confined at home. “We have divided our guests into two batches. In the first lot, from 5.30 to 7 pm, there will be 50 and rest 50 will come in the second lot. Our family members will stay home till the time the guests are around,” Deepika said.

“We have invited only a few selected guests. None of our friends, fellow archers or media is invited,” she said.

The duo had been engaged since 2018. “We all are staying and doing nothing at home. Everything is closed and we wanted to utilise this time. We had to get married at some point of time so finally we decided on this date,” Deepika, who turned 26 earlier this month, added. —