Dubai: A debt-ridden Indian businessman from Dubai has just won a million dollars at the Dubai Duty Free raffle draw today (October 22).
Kamalasanan Nadar Vasu won his jackpot, thanks to his winning ticket number 3318 which was picked from the Series 314.
Vasu purchased the ticket when he was travelling home to Trivandrum, Kerala.
Speaking to Gulf News, Vasu said, he is sharing the ticket with his close friend.
The wins from the ticket will be split equally between the two as they equally shared the cost of the ticket.
Indian man to repay debt of Dh900,000 with winning money
Vasu, who has been living in the UAE for the last 35 years said he has picked up a massive debt of Dh900,000 since his business went down in January 2018.
He will use his winning money to settle his debts. Rest will be saved for his business and future. "Ofcourse half a million dollars will go to my friend who bought the ticket with me," he told Gulf News.
Vasu, 56, a Dubai resident for 30 years now, runs a steel fabrication business. He is a long-time participant to Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for eight years now.
Kazakhstan million dollar winner doesnt know of his win
The other $1 million winner today at DDF is a Kazakhstan national Khussain Yeremeshev. His winning ticket is 3614 and it was picked up in series number 313.
Yeremeshev bought his winning ticket online. At the time of publishing the article, DDF organisers were unable to reach him to share the good news. Yeremeshev is the second Kazakhstan national to win at the DDF million dollar draw.
Other winners
Other winners of luxury vehicles were also announced in the Finest Surprise Promotion today.
Halat Rauf Aziz, a 45 year old British national won a BMW 750 Li xDrive Sports (Carbon Black Metallic) in Series 1733 with ticket number 0713.
Mr. Aziz who works as CEO for a construction company regularly buys tickets to Dubai Duty Free promotions whenever he travels to Dubai for business trips.
Faizaan Kader Sheikh, a 42 year old Indian national in Dubai won an Aprilia Shiver (Green) in Series 382 with ticket number 0885. A regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free promotions since 2003, Mr. Sheikh works as a Sales Manager for Rose Garden Hotel Apartment in Dubai and purchased his winning ticket online.
Mehreen Niaz, an Omani national based in Dubai won an Indian Scout Bobber (Thunder Black Smoke) in Series 383 with ticket number 0852. Mr. Niaz who bought his ticket online was not immediately available for comments and his surprise still awaits him.
Khajapasha Shaik, a 49 year old Indian national based in Dubai won an Aprilia Tuono RR (Red) in Series 384 with ticket number 0897. Mr. Shaik who bought two tickets in this series online, works as an RTA bus driver. A Dubai resident for 11 years, Mr. Shaik regularly buy tickets online or in Dubai Duty Free arrivals in Terminal 3 whenever he was assigned there.
Diwali promotion at DDF
As part of the promotional activities for Diwali, Dubai Duty Free today, rolled out a series of special promotions including a 20% discount offer on 17th and 18th October for all arriving and departing passengers travelling through Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airport. The two-day sale resulted in a shopping spree which saw sales of Dhs 61.86 million (US$16.95 million). From a category point of view, Cosmetics was the top performing category with sales of Dhs 12.3 million (US$ 3.37 million) during the two days followed by Perfumes sales which amounted to Dhs 10.04 million (US$2.75 million).
Other attractive offers featured the "Diwali Special Offers" on gold products - Buy selected gold products for AED 8,000 and above and get Dh5 discount per gram.
Indian Consul General conducts the draw
Vipul, Indian Consul General to Dubai conducted the draw for Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire along with Dubai Duty Free officials headed by Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Ramesh Cidambi, COO, Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President – Corporate Services, Sinead El Sibai, SVP-Marketing and Michael Schmidt, SVP-Retail Support.
Also present in the draw were Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President- Marketing, Mona Al Ali, Senior Vice President – Human Resources and Michael Schmidt, Senior Vice President – Retail Support.
