Dubai: An Indian national living in Hyderabad of India, Kanikaran Rajasekhar, has won a million dollars in the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions.
The 45 year old wants to use the money for his children’s education, build a villa in Hyderabad and also start a business in Dubai
Rajasekhar’s winning ticket number 3546 was picked up in Millennium Millionaire Series 347 which he purchased online on December 18.
Speaking to Gulf News from India, Rajasekhar said he was ecstatic and grateful with the win. “I will buy a villa in Hyderabad, save money for my children’s future and perhaps start a business in Dubai,” said the father of two, who was on a visit to Dubai last week.
He said he has bought the DDF ticket only two times, the first was last month and this was second attempt at his luck and he came out a winner.
Rajasekhar in the telephone call to Gulf News said he is planning to set-up an immigration service company in Dubai.
“I feel grateful,” he said.
Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two cars and three motorbikes.
Dubai resident Syed Shabber Hasan Naqvi, 24-year, an Indian student, won a BMW 750Li xDrive M Sport (Donington Grey) car, with ticket number 0514 in Finest Surprise Series 1764, which he purchased online on December 18.
Born and raised in Dubai, Naqvi said he started participating in DDF’s promotion six months ago and is currently doing a master’s degree in civil engineering at Heriot-Watt University.
“I’m very excited to start my new year! After going through some difficult times hopefully this win is the start of more good things to come,” he said.
It was a lucky day for another Filipino expat Gerardo Fernando who won a Range Rover Sport HST 3.0 400HP (Black) car, with ticket number 0891 in the Finest Surprise Series 1765, which he purchased online on December 20. Fernando is unavailable for immediate comment and he will be surprised to hear of his win.
Indian expat Nitin Agrawat, 38, won a Harley-Davidson Softail Low Rider (Billiard Red) motorbike, with ticket number 0901 in Finest Series 436, which he purchased online on December 10.
A resident of Dubai for 13 years now, Agrawat is a regular participant in DDF’s promotion for 10 years and works as a credit manager for Novotel in Dubai World Trade Center.“
Indonesian expat Martha Rosari, 35, based in Dubai won an Indian Vintage Dark Horse (Thunder Black Smoke) motorbike, with ticket number 0512 in Finest Surprise Series 437, which he purchased on December 20.
Rosari purchased three tickets for Series 437 and split the ticket cost with two other colleagues. She works for Emirates Airline as senior airport service agent couldn’t contain her excitement to share the good news to her two other colleagues and commented, “This is the best New Year’s gift for me.”
She is the first Indonesian national to win a motorbike since it was introduced into the Finest Surprise promotion in 2002.
Ahamed Nasar Kamal Sheik, an Indian national based in Dubai, won an Aprilia Tuono Factory (Atomico Racer) motorbike, with ticket number 0597 in Finest Surprise Series 438, which he purchased online on December 20. He is also unavailable for comment.
The Wednesday draw was conducted following social distancing by Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin, Chief Operating Officer, Ramesh Cidambi, Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President - Corporate Services, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, Mona Al Ali, SVP – Human Resources, Sharon Beecham, VP – Purchasing and Zayed Al Shebli, VP – Loss Prevention and Corporate Security.
