A civic police volunteer has got married at home maintaining social distancing amid lockdown to honour the wish of his mother who is battling cancer.

Prasanta Majhi and Papiya Majhi exchanged floral garlands wearing masks in front of the priest at the groom’s home here on Friday.

Prasanta’s parents and a relative of the bride were present to witness the couple tie the nuptial knot at a small ceremony.

“The marriage was settled on April 17 after negotiations between the two families since December. After the outbreak of the coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown, we had thought of postponing the wedding but later, decided to go ahead with the ceremony because my mother is severely ill. She wanted to see me get married,” said the civic volunteer who is posted at the government railway police post in Andal.

Prasanta’s mother Aparna Majhi said she was happy to see her son get married.

“I had long wished to have a proper ceremony for my son’s marriage. But I am suffering from cancer and don’t know for how long I will live. So, we thought of holding the ceremony despite the lockdown,” she said.

The bride Papiya said she was happy that the ceremony could be held despite difficulties. “It is more important to stay blessed and happy in conjugal life rather than have large-scale celebrations. I am happy and want to do my duties as a wife and daughter-in-law, while I continue with my studies,” the higher secondary examinee said.

The couple on Friday donated Rs 6,000 to an NGO run by Durgapur Trinamul councillor and borough committee chairman Chandra Shekhar Banerjee to feed the poor during the lockdown as part of the wedding celebration.

The NGO — Swapner Udan — is feeding over 300 people daily through their community kitchen.

Banerjee, who had come to collect the cheque from the couple, blessed the newly-wed couple.