The move is seen as part of Ukraine's efforts to reinforce its army as soldiers struggle to hold positions against Russia
What is luck? Ask Nobin Mathew, who was forced into buying a raffle ticket, and in his only second and final attempt won Dh15 million in the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draw.
Mathew, an Indian expat, has been residing in Kuwait since 2007. A family man with a humble lifestyle, he had never thought about participating in raffle draws. It was at the behest of his colleagues, Pramod Mattummal and Minu Thomas, that Mathew joined them in buying the Big Ticket. Luck deserted him last month and Mathew had made up his mind that the November draw would be his last attempt - and then he hit the jackpot, which he has decided to share with his two colleagues.
“My colleagues are purchasing tickets for some time now. They forced me to join them. This is only my second time buying a lottery ticket. I didn’t win last month. So, I had told my colleagues that this will be my last attempt,” Mathew said over the phone from Kuwait.
Mathew was shocked when the Big Ticket organisers called him. He was working and didn’t watch the live telecast of the draw but immediately realised he had hit the jackpot with his ticket number 254806 bought on October 17. “I didn’t know what to say then. I was lost for words.”
The expat was born in Oman’s capital of Muscat and raised in the Indian state of Kerala. After finishing his graduation, Mathew moved to Kuwait where he now lives with his wife and five-year-old son.
“I have been living in Kuwait since 2007. I have seen a lot of struggle in my life. I have worked at many companies. I am still finding my feet. And now I am blessed with this win,” said Mathew, who works in the auto sector.
After the win, his phone is ringing non-stop with congratulatory wishes from friends and family members. The 38-year-old from Kerala’s Thiruvalla town is undecided on what to do with the money.
“I am undecided as I never thought about winning through a lottery. I will make a decision after consulting my family members. I am a down to earth guy. I thank God for the blessings.”
This is the consecutive time that the Big Ticket winner is from abroad. Last month’s winner Ahmed Al Hamidi was a Saudi national living in Bahrain.
Big Ticket promotion for the month of December has started. People can buy tickets till November 30 for the Dh12 million draw.
The move is seen as part of Ukraine's efforts to reinforce its army as soldiers struggle to hold positions against Russia
The Jamaican currently holds world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m with times of 9.58s, 19.19s and 36.84s respectively
Total property income posted year-on-year growth of 10% to $74m, highest value ever
All official donation channels however remain open through the outlets announced by government agencies
The Starlight Park is a four-building freehold community in Meydan
The 22-time major champion admits his farewell tour hasn't been as enjoyable as he would have hoped
Eating out, poor hand hygiene and erratic weather may be among causes, say medics
The goal-scoring striker is suffering from a muscle injury sustained during the Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid