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'Feeling I will never forget': Expat reacts to becoming millionaire in Big Ticket draw
Dulan Mayura, a 29-year-old UAE expat from Sri Lanka, said that sometimes all it takes is giving it a chance, as you never know when your winning moment might arrive
- PUBLISHED: Fri 6 Feb 2026, 12:38 PM
In the latest Big Ticket draw, five winners from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka each walked away with Dh1 million, bringing the total prize pool to Dh5 million.
Meet the five winners, each with a unique story and personal motivation for taking part, with some already deciding how to use their prize and others still considering their options.
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1. Santosh Kumar
Santosh Kumar, 51, a general manager from Bhopal, has called Abu Dhabi home since 1999 and has lived in the UAE for over two decades. He has been playing Big Ticket for more than five years, usually purchasing tickets for special occasions on his own.
Recalling the moment he learnt about his win, Santosh admitted he initially thought the call was a joke, having missed it while at the gym. “I didn’t believe it at first,” he said. “I asked my daughter to verify it online, and that’s when the excitement truly hit me.”
Santosh plans to use the win to explore property opportunities and long-term investments, describing the experience as both unexpected and inspiring.
2. Dasan Kunchu
Dasan Kunchu, a 43-year-old irrigation engineer from Kerala, has lived in Qatar for the past 12 years with his family. He first came across Big Ticket through social media ads and began participating three years ago, buying tickets monthly.
Speaking about his journey, Dasan shared, “I used to see Big Ticket advertisements everywhere, which encouraged me to take part with two different groups of 10 people. When I received the winning call, I honestly couldn’t believe it at all. The Big Ticket team kept trying to convince me, and it was only after I received the confirmation email that it finally sank in. The entire group is extremely happy.”
Looking ahead, Dasan said he plans to share the cash prize with his group and will decide on his portion once the funds arrive. He added that both he and his group plan to keep participating in Big Ticket, with their eyes already set on the grand prize.
3. Jency Ruba
Originally from India, Jency Ruba was overjoyed to find out her Big Ticket purchase had won. She bought her winning ticket, number 148955, on January 8 and was thrilled with her success.
4. Dulan Mayura
Dulan Mayura, 29, a professional at Magnolia Bakery from Sri Lanka, has been living in Dubai for the past four years. He started entering Big Ticket draws last year after friends encouraged him and has been participating regularly every month since.
Reflecting on his win, Dulan said, “I still remember the moment I found out—it was overwhelming. I can’t explain the happiness I felt; it’s a feeling I’ll never forget.” Although he hasn’t decided how to use the prize yet, he described it as a special milestone.
Looking forward, Dulan said he will continue entering Big Ticket and encouraged others to try their luck. “Sometimes all it takes is giving it a chance, as you never know when your winning moment might arrive,” he added.
5. Mohammed Alwar Uddin Hajee
Mohammed Alwaruddin Hajee Abu Syed, a business owner from Bangladesh, has lived in Al Ain for 21 years and has been entering Big Ticket for six years, buying tickets monthly with a group of nine friends.
Recalling the moment, Mohammed said, “I was completely shocked. After so many years of trying, I never imagined this would happen.”
He described the victory as a rewarding experience that validated his persistence and made all those years of participation worthwhile.
Although he hasn’t yet decided how to use the prize, Mohammed said the win has renewed his determination to keep participating.
