Two Indians win a million dollars in latest Dubai Duty Free raffle draw
While one is based in Bengaluru, the other is in Seattle
Dubai: There is not one but two lucky millionaires today. Two Indians have won the million dollar jackpot at the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Draw held on Wednesday, January 20. Amit S., 46, an Indian national living in the city of Bengaluru in the state of Karnataka, took home a million dollars after his lucky winning ticket was picked in the draw in series 348. Amit is said to have purchased the ticket online on December 18, 2020.
He has been a participant at DDF promotions since 2016. Amit took advantage of the 25 per cent discount offered by DDF during its anniversary celebrations. A businessman, who runs a computer shop and is into equity trading as well, said he was grateful for the win. “It’s hard to believe, but I have won indeed! It feels great.”
Amit said his quality of life back in India will greatly improve with this win. When asked about his plans, he said: “I will pay off my debts and invest more into equity trading. I would also like to set up an NGO to hopefully help as many people I can.”
Another Indian wins
Meanwhile, five lucky individuals were added to the long list of dollar millionaires and luxury vehicle winners on Wednesday at the DDF draw. And yes more Indians have won!
Varun Boosnur, 34, based in Seattle, United States, also won a million dollars on Wednesday, after his winning ticket was picked up from the millionaire series draw 349, which he had bought online on New Year’s Day, 2021. Varun, who had moved to the US in 2011, has been participating in DDF promotions for more than a year now. He originally hails from Davanagere in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. The father of one who works as a programme manager for Microsoft said he wanted to help poor children in need of education and housing in India. “I will also invest some money in business,” he added.
Other winners
Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for one car and two motorbikes.
Dubai resident, Zaya Sheikh, a three-year-old American, won a Mercedes Benz GLS 580 4M (Selenite Grey) car, for a ticket in the Finest Surprise Series 1766. DDF spoke to her mother Anika Jahan-Chowdhury, a resident of Dubai for three years now and a regular participant at DDF promotions for a year, said she had decided to buy the ticket under her daugther’s name, Zaya, who was born in Texas, United States.
Anika, who owns a startup cosmetic business in Dubai, was elated to win her dream car. “I’m on top of the world!,” she said.
Indian Nizar Nisu, 33, won a BMW F750GS (Black/Yellow) motorbike, in the Finest Surprise Series 439, for a ticket purchased online on January 7. A first-time participant in DDF promotions, Nizar, a resident of Abu Dhabi for 13 years now, who works as an administrative assistant for Al Jaber Aluminum Company, said he too was elated with his win.
Pakistani expat Zaheer Abbas, 36, based in Dubai for 14 years now, won an Aprilia Tuono Factory (Nero Opaca) motorbike, in the Finest Surprise Series 440. He had purchased the ticket online on January 15. Zaheer said he had watched live the DDF draw and was excited to hear his name announced.
A father of two and the owner of Al Masoom Technical Services in Dubai, Zaheer said he has been struggling a lot due to the pandemic and even had to borrow money to but the ticket for Series 440!
Wednesday’s draws were conducted following social distancing by Dubai Duty Free's Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO, Colm McLoughlin; Chief Operating Officer, Ramesh Cidambi; Salah Tahlak, the Executive Vic- President - Corporate Services; Sinead El Sibai, SVP - Marketing; Mona Al Ali, SVP - Human Resources; Michael Schmidt, SVP – Retail Support; and Zayed Al Shebli, VP - Loss Prevention and Corporate Security.