Dubai: A 57-year-old Pakistani bus driver has won a life-changing gold prize on the last day of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and says the prize proceeds will now enable him to buy his very own bus.
Lal Jan became the mega winner on the final day of the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group promotion, taking home one kilogram of gold worth around Dh153,000 (about $41,600).
Speaking to Gulf News on Wednesday, Lal Jan, father of two, said the windfall came at a time when he needed it the most.
“The prize has brought a lot of joy to our home. It was something we never expected to happen at this time. I was caught up in many financial troubles after helping my friend with rent cheques, and this prize will now help me solve my problem. I will also buy my own bus.” said Jan, who could barely contain his excitement.
The retired municipal worker said he went along with his brother to buy gold jewellery for the wedding of his niece.
“My niece is getting married, and I had accompanied my brother to buy the gold for her from Malabar Gold and Diamonds. They gave us some coupons to fill out for the draw and luckily my coupon was the winner,” said Jan, who hails from Parachinar in Pakistan. He said his niece was the most excited once she got the news of winning gold.
Jan said he has been living in the UAE since 1976 and is grateful to the UAE for providing him a high quality of life.
“The last 42 years I’ve lived here have been really good and I still want to continue living here even after my two children got married.
"I also thank the Gold and Jewellery Group for giving everyone a chance to win and for changing the lives of many through these fair draws,” he said.
DSF, one of the biggest shopping extravaganzas, has helped fulfil the dreams of thousands of shoppers into reality since the past 23 years.
This year, 100 lucky gold shoppers won 33 Kilos of gold worth around Dh5 million through Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group promotion.
“Having the winner for the grand prize of 1kg of gold from Malabar Gold & Diamonds gives us double delight,” said Abdul Salam KP, Group Executive Director, Malabar Group. “As in previous years, majority of the winners during the campaign were shoppers at Malabar Gold & Diamonds.”
