Two groups of Indians win US$1 million each in Dubai Duty Free draw

Dubai: Two group of Indian nationals won US$1 million dollar each in the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire held on Wednesday at Concourse C of Dubai International Airport.

Thomas Parado, a 55-year-old Indian national based in Dubai became a US$1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 479 with ticket number 2762 which he purchased on Oct. 28 at Terminal 3 Public Shop. A resident of Dubai for 20 years now, Parado shared the cost of the ticket with his four family members and colleagues. A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free promotion for 10 years now, Parado is a father of three and works as an accountant for a management company in Dubai,

When asked about his initial plans with his win, he said: “Firstly, I have some debts to clear but a big chunk will be saved for my children’s education, while I will also do some religious donation. I’m so grateful to God in this moment of time when I need it desperately. Thank you, Dubai Duty Free, for being the instrument of this blessing.”

Second million dollar winner

Joining Parado as a fellow US dollar millionaire is Liv Ashby, a 45-year-old Indian based in Dubai who was announced as the winner of US$1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 480 with ticket number 1841, which he purchased on October 25 in Concourse C.

A resident of Dubai since 2005, Ashby, who purchased two tickets for Series 480, shared the ticket cost with his two other friends.

A regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for two years now, Ashby is a father of one and works as an electrical engineer for Dubai Airports.

“It’s unbelievable! But I’m so thankful to Dubai Duty Free for this win, it will definitely change our lives for the better,” he said.

Parado and Ashby who are from Goa and Kerala respectively, are the 238th and 239th Indian nationals to have won the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999, respectively, with Indian nationals being the biggest buyers of tickets.

Wednesday’s draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Deputy Managing Director, Salah Tahlak, Sinead El Sibai, SVP- Marketing, Sharon Beecham, SVP — Purchasing and Zayed Al Shebli, SVP — Loss Prevention and Corporate Security.

Luxury cars winners

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury cars and one motorbike. Lakshitha Cooray, a Sri Lankan national based in the UAE won a luxury car with ticket number 170 in Finest Surprise Series 1896 which she purchased on Oct. 19 at Terminal 3 Arrivals.

Cooray who is the 17th Sri Lankan to win the Finest Surprise promotion since 1989 is currently uncontactable, but will no doubt be delighted to learn of her win.

Meanwhile, Anupam Sharma, a 55-year-old Indian national based in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia won another luxury vehicle with ticket number 301 in Finest Surprise Series 1897 which he purchased online on October 25.

Lastly, Jaseema Mariyam, a 39-year-old Indian national based in Sharjah won an a motorbike with ticket number 757 in Finest Surprise Series 602 which he purchased on Oct. 27 at Terminal 1 Arrivals shop.