Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (RJP)

Updated

Udupi, Jun 18: A German girl and a local boy got married on Sunday, June 18 as per Hindu traditional wedding rituals here.

Rebecca Maria Opitz from Frankfurt in Germany and Bharat Kumar Karkera from Hejamady, are the bride and the groom.

Bharat, son of Sharada and Karunakar Karkera, is working in Food & Beverage department of a German based shipping company for the past 4 years. Rebecca, a postgraduate, is also employed in the same company as art gallery executive for the past 3 years. Both fell in love two years back.

The wedding ceremony was held at Shamili hall in Udupi as per Hindu tradition. A reception will be held for the couple's German friends at Sultan Battery in Mangaluru where Rebecca will wear German attire.

Bharat and Rebecca informed their families about their willingness to get married. Both the families agreed willingly. The engagement was held on April 30.

Rebecca is already familiar with Indian traditions. She says she had a Tamil friend in college from whom she learned about India and its culture. She started liking India after that. “After falling in love with Bharat, I moved closer to India. I have decided to become an Indian and live like an Indian in India’” she says.

Rebecca has been learning Tulu also. He is accustomed to Indian food items like Masala Dosa, Kori Rotti and other coastal delicacies now.

“We will work in Germany for another four years and then we will come back to India for good," said Bharat and Rebecca.

Parents of Rebecca are no more. Eleven of her close relatives have come to India for the wedding.

Bharat's parents said that they are happy to receive Rebecca as their daughter-in-law, and as Bharat has liked her, they mutually agreed for the wedding. 

Rebecca said that she liked Bharat when she met him first time in an elevator two years back and fell in love with him. Bharat has already taught her many words of Tulu language while they sailed together in ship during their work.

Rebecca feels that she would have learned Tulu if it had a script. Nevertheless she is confident that she will learn it soon.

Rebecca is a fan of Shah Rukh Khan and has watched his film 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' several times, she says.