Amit Ghosh and Moumita Ghosh, a newly-wed couple from Nadia’s Santipur, opted out of having a reception for their marriage ceremony on Friday and instead distributed catered food in packets to over 100 needy persons in the area.

Amit, 37, a contractual worker of the Santipur municipality, tied the knot with Moumita, who hails from Nakashipara, on Thursday night in the presence of a few friends and family members.

After arriving at Santipur town on a boat ride from Nakashipara’s Sibpur ghat, the couple went to the groom’s home in Sutragarh for a brief ceremony.

Accompanied by friends and still dressed in wedding garb, the pair soon began distributing food packets among destitute and impoverished persons at the locality.

“We decided to call off the celebration which we had planned in compliance with the government’s order to maintain stricter restriction because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and instead, decided to distribute the food already ordered from the local caterer,” said Amit, belying a crucial and prudent change of heart.

“I know that a day’s meal offered by us will not solve their troubles, but we have done it sincerely from the depth of our hearts,” said bride Moumita, who works as a teacher at a kindergarten in Nakashipara.

The food packets contained rice, lentils, potato curry, fish fry and seven kinds of sweets.

“We have done it for this special day only. But we will try to help people in this situation in a sustainable way even if it is only a handful of needy people,” said Moumita, nodding in approval at her husband.