[Python] How to create a Python dictionary with double quotes as default quote format?

I am trying to create a python dictionary which is to be used as a JavaScript var inside a html file for visualization purposes.
As a requisite, I am in need of creating the dictionary with all names inside double quotes instead of default single quotes which Python uses. Is there an easy and elegant way to achieve this.

couples = [
['jack', 'ilena'],
['arun', 'maya'],
['hari', 'aradhana'],
['bill', 'samantha']]
pairs = dict(couples)
print pairs


Generated Output:

{'arun': 'maya', 'bill': 'samantha', 'jack': 'ilena', 'hari': 'aradhana'}


Expected Output:

{"arun": "maya", "bill": "samantha", "jack": "ilena", "hari": "aradhana"}


I know, json.dumps(pairs) does the job, but the dictionary as a whole is converted into a string which isn't what I am expecting.

P.S.: Is there an alternate way to do this with using json, since I am dealing with nested dictionaries.

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