Ganjam: Defying barriers of distance, language, culture and tradition, a British girl found her soul mate in an Oriya boy. The couple tied the knot in a traditional manner and the bride was more than happy to embrace the Oriya life.
The marriage between Gyana Ranjan Pattnaik and Georgia Elizabeth was held in great pomp at the former’s residence at Rambha under this police limits in Ganjam district.
Gyana, younger son of Ramani Mohan Patnaik, worked as South Indian International Volunteer. Meanwhile, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Michael, was engaged by an NGO in Chennai. The two met in 2012 and hit it off instantly.
Soon, their relationship developed and they began falling for each other. With the consent of their parents, the two first got into a court marriage in 2014 at Puri district court. After two years, they wished to carry their relationship forward and planned their marriage at Gyana’s village.
The marriage was conducted after Elizabeth readily agreed to marry in the local Hindu tradition. “I am totally in love with Indian culture and tradition,” said Elizabeth when she was asked for the reason of choosing an Oriya boy as her life partner. “My dream of marrying an Indian boy has come true,” she added. Elizabeth’s father Richard and her mother were present at the marriage ceremony.
Meanwhile, Gyana and his family members also welcomed the bride. Hundreds of locals gathered for the ceremony and wished the couple a happy married life. The concept of inter-country marriage was highly appreciated by people while it was the first such marriage in the region, locals said. PNN
