Dubai: An Indian expatriate has just hit the jackpot in the latest mega draw in Abu Dhabi - and his luck couldn't have come at a better time.
Krishnam Raju Thokachichu, who works as a detailing checker for a company in the construction industry, has earned for himself Dh5 million in the latest edition of Big 5 Ticket Draw.
Unlike many other winners who share the ticket prize with other raffle draw participants, Thokachichu will be enjoying the grand prize for himself.
“I used to buy tickets with other friends, but this time I decided I’ll just shoulder the cost alone – and I got lucky this time,” the expat based in Ras Al Khaimah told Gulf News on the phone.
The winning came at a perfect time since the expat has been struggling to pay back his loans and credit cards, which have so far reached Dh300,000, and he also has a young family to support.
Thokachichu has been buying tickets for the draw since three years ago. “Every month, I’d set aside money to pay for the ticket,” he said.
Still, the news about his winning came as a surprise. “It was indeed a surprise when I got the call from the raffle organisers. I got so excited that I had to call my mother in India right away.”
The expat, who first came to the UAE in 2008 and currently makes less than Dh10,000 a month, said he will save a portion of his Dh5 million to pay for the education of his child, who’s still four-years old.
The latest winning ticket no. 021051 was picked during a draw at the Abu Dhabi International Airport on August 6. The event at the arrivals hall was attended by all the Big 10 millionaires from series 181.
