Driving Mr Nihon

8220;For six months I ferried her to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan from her home in Safdarjung Enclave. This was in 2004. I told her I was eager to learn Japanese and she taught me the basics. Every day, she would give me a list of 10 words to learn. She was my first guru,8221; says Malhotra. After that initial help, Malhotra tried to learn the language himself, through books picked up from Nai Sarak.

The acquired skill is coming in handy now. Malhotra drives around Japanese tourists in the city; it fetches him handsome tips that range from Rs 100 to Rs 500.

One hand on the wheel, Malhotra gives a jaunty greeting in Japanese over the phone. His son is dropping a group of Japanese tourists to the domestic airport. 8220;My son is also learning Japanese from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and he required some help with directions. So, I spoke to the tourists in Japanese and decided the fare as well,8221; says Malhotra, pulling out a sheet of paper that has the Japanese words for airport, evening, address, entry, exit and map.

The 52-year-old8217;s Japanese vocabulary is 300-word strong and growing. 8220;I started learning Japanese when I found that I couldn8217;t handle Japanese tourists, who didn8217;t like speaking in English. With the upcoming Commonwealth Games, knowing the language will be a big asset,8221; says Malhotra, who ran a lottery shop outside Tis Hazari before he began driving an auto rickshaw 20 years ago.

Malhotra, who says he has ferried about 3,000 Japanese tourists, usually hangs around New Delhi railway station, Connaught Place, international airport and five-star hotels, looking out for Japanese tourists. Once he spots them, he turns on the charm.

8220;Usually an effusive 8216;Mr Nihon8217; Mr Japan does the trick. Later, I crank out a string of phrases such as doko e ikkismas ka where do you have to go? and koni kiwa how are you? to break the ice,8221; smiles Malhotra, who known how to win over Japanese tourists.

Knowing a smattering of Japanese is also helping Malhotra expand his operations from auto driver to tourist guide. He often accompanies tourists to Jaipur, Agra and Ajmer.

8220;I even suggest the itinerary to Japnese tourists sometimes,8221; says Malhotra.

His association with Japanese tourists has given him some insights into their likes and dislikes. 8220;They are different from Americans, Koreans and other nationals. No Japanese passenger has ever enquired about drug dealers. The Japanese love to talk about technology.8221;

Not content with driving the Japanese around in India, Malhotra now wants to ferry them through Japan. 8220;I8217;ve heard the salary there is Rs 90,000 per month. Who will let a chance like that pass?8221; he asks. 8220;In the next five years, I would like to tour around Japan, China and Paris,8221; he adds.