UAE: Indian expat wins Dh12 million Big Ticket raffle

Ajman-based India expat Mujeeb Chirathodi, a truck driver, couldn't believe his luck as he won Dh12 million in the Big Ticket raffle draw series 239 held on the second day of Eid Al Fitr in Abu Dhabi.

Chirathodi, who bought his lucky ticket: 229710 on April 22 – the final nights of Ramadan, said his prayers during the holy month have been answered.

“This is unexpected. I never hoped to be a millionaire in my life. I have a hand-to-mouth living. There are a lot of financial hardships. I have debts to repay. After long years of working abroad, I have managed to build my own home in Kerala. I have home loans to repay too. I can settle all my dues now. I can breathe easy now. My Ramadan prayers have been answered, especially those by my mother and family. God has heard our prayers,” an excited Chirathodi told Khaleej Times.

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“My Gulf journey started in 1996 with a job in Saudi Arabia. I moved to the UAE in 2006. I am a truck driver. I am indebted to my first employer Wade Adams Contracting based in Dubai. Later, I moved to another firm in Abu Dhabi. Currently, I am working as a tanker driver in Al Naqa Drinking Water, a company run by people from my native place in Kerala. I lead a simple life and will continue that way.”

The 49-year-old hails from Melattur town in Malappuram district of Kerala.

“My father passed away. I have a mother, four sisters, a wife and four children. I have 2 girls and 2 boys. I have been purchasing tickets for close to 2 years. We are a group of 10 people. We are mostly Indians from Kerala, there are 1 or 2 Pakistanis and Bangladeshis too. We are all in dire need of money.”

However, initially the draw host Richard was unable to reach Chirathodi to inform him about the jackpot.

“I was running. I was at a pump to fill diesel when I got the call from Big Ticket host Richard. So, I couldn’t attend but later I called them back. It was unbelievable. My friends also called to inform me about the win,” he added.

Meanwhile, it was also a lucky evening for two other Indian expats in the country.

Dubai resident Viswanathan Balasubramanian won second prize of Dh1 million. He bought the winning ticket number 072051 on April 26. Jayaprakash Nair based in Ras Al Khaimah pocketed the third prize of Dh100,000. He had purchased his ticket number 077562 on April 21.

In the ‘Dream Car’ series 19, Saad Ullah Malik from Pakistan with his ticket: 001506 won a BMW Z430i.

The next Big Ticket draw will be for Dh20 million on June 3. Also, there will be four weekly draws of Dh500,000.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

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