Banarasi 'Raja' weds Japanese 'Mickchiko'

Varanasi, Dec 13 (UNI) Giving a Japanese turn to the storyline of several Bollywood flicks a local tourist guide married his girlfriend from Japan at a Indian marriage ceremony here late last night.

Sudhir Tripathi 'Raja' -- a local tourist guide working with Japanese tourists -- capped his four-year-old love affair with Mickchiko, a nurse from Tokyo, at a traditional Hindu marriage ceremony comprising 'jaimaal, Lava Parchaiya, Sindoordan and Bidai'.

The young tourist guide first met Mickchiko in 2001 at Rajendra Prasad Ghat edging the Ganga. The Japanese girl forming part of a tourist group from Tokyo slowly developed a friendly relationship with Raja, which later on blossomed into love.

Even after Mickchiko's return to Japan, she stayed connected with Raja and continued pouring her heart out through chat and e-mail.

Six months back Raja flew to Tokyo on a call from Mickchiko's parents. He was in for a pleasant surprise as her girl-friends family had by then made up their mind to tie both Raja and Mickchiko with conjugal bond.

''With the permission of Raja parents the marriage was solemenised through Japanese rituals followed by its legal sanction.

Mickchiko's parents even managed to get the job of a cook for their Banarasi son-in-law at a famous restaurant in Tokyo,'' Raja's family members told UNI here.

Acting as per the wishes of Raja's family living in Ramapura locality here, the marriage was given Indian colour with Mickchiko in scarlett red Banarasi Saree marrying Raja amid the resonance of popular Bhojpuri and Bollywood numbers at 'Utsav Vatika'.

Mickchiko's parents attitred in kurta-pyjama and Banarasi Saree, gave blessings to the couple.

While Raja's family wants him to settle with the Japanese 'Bahu' in Varanasi after a short stay in Japan, Raja is interested in living permanently in Tokyo, some of Raja's friends said.

UNI ARS VS PDM KN1855