Archers Atanu and Deepika tie the nuptial knot

Ranchi: International archer and Olympian Deepika Kumari got married to her friend, Atanu Das, also an archer, in a grand function at the Morabadi Banquet Hall in the state capital on Tuesday.

Many dignitaries including Chief Minister Heman Soren blessed the couple. Soren wished the couple with a bouquet and gift and also posed for a photo.

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda, currently president of Indian Archery Association, could not make it to the wedding. He could not attend due to important meetings in New Delhi. His wife Meera Munda however blessed the couple in her husbandś absence. Munda was supposed to perform the Kanyadaan ritual at the wedding.

In a tweet, Munda said Deepika was his daughter and that he was sorry as he could not attend her wedding. I wish the couple a happy marital life.

The baraat came all the way from Kolkata. Deepikaś father welcomed the bridegroom and other guests. Keeping in mind the Corona virus threat, strict physical distancing norms were followed at the wedding. Guests were allowed in limited batches of 50 each.

Ranchi Mayor Asha Lakra, also present at the function, said she wished the couple a successful and bright future. She said tight security and COVID-19 safety arrangements were made at the venue. Sanitizers and masks were kept for the guests.

Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth and Padma Shri Ashok Bhagat were also present on the occasion.