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Sat, Jan 17, 2026 | Rajab 28, 1447 | Fajr 05:45 | DXB 
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Dubai expat becomes millionaire overnight, plans to keep working, spend on kids' studies
Pradeep, who won with the Dubai Duty Free draw, has spent nearly Dh50,000 buying tickets over the years
An Indian expat who has been living in Dubai for two decades has become the latest millionaire at the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw. For him, the winning is not about luxury, but about securing his children’s education and possibly fulfilling his teenage son’s wish for a car.
Pradeep Chalatan, 55, hails from Kannur in the southern Indian state of Kerala. He works as an IT support professional with an architectural consultancy firm in Dubai. On Wednesday, his life changed when his name was announced at Concourse D of Dubai International Airport as the winner of US $1 Million in Series 512 of the Dubai Duty Free promotion.
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He won with ticket number 2747, which he had purchased online on August 8. Like many longtime participants, Pradeep shared the ticket with a colleague, agreeing beforehand that he would keep 75 per cent of the prize while his teammate would receive 25 per cent.
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“When I first received the call, I thought it was a prank. I couldn’t believe it. Only after checking the number did I realise it was real,” said Pradeep, who has been taking part in the draw for over 10 years.
Over the years, he estimates that he has spent nearly Dh50,000 buying tickets. Sometimes he played alone, while other times he shared with friends and colleagues. “This time, my colleague joined me, and we were lucky,” he said.
Pradeep’s wife and two children live in Kerala. His son is 15 and currently in Grade 10, while his daughter is 12. For him, the win means a chance to provide a stronger foundation for his children’s future. “Many of my son’s friends’ families have bought a new car, as Onam offers are running in our hometown. My son asked if we could buy a car, which I will soon get for us at home,” said Pradeep.
“But for me, the priority is education. I want to make sure my son and daughter get the best opportunities,” he added.
Despite the sudden change in fortune, Pradeep is not rushing into decisions. He plans to travel to India this week. “I had planned to visit my family even before participating in the draw. It will be best for us to discuss with my family how to use the money.
“Now I just want to sit with my wife and children and decide together. This is not just my win, it’s for all of us,” he said.
While some lottery winners consider quitting their jobs, Pradeep insists that he enjoys his role in Dubai and is not making any drastic moves yet. “My job is very interesting, and I don’t want to change anything for now.”
Pradeep becomes the 256th Indian national to win US$ 1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since its launch in 1999. Indians remain the biggest buyers of tickets.
SM Ayaz Zakir
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.
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