Revealed: Secret behind Indian engineer’s Dh100 million Emirates Draw jackpot

Dubai: Remember Sriram Rajagopalan? The retired Indian expat engineer who recently made global headlines after winning a staggering Dh100 million in the Emirates Draw MEGA7? He has now revealed what may have brought him that incredible luck and how he plans to use his jackpot.

Rajagopalan, 56, a soft-spoken father of two, spent about 23 years working across the Gulf, including stints in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait.
“I heard about Emirates Draw through some friends and through Google search. I love participating in these draws. For the past 3 years, I have been participating,” he told Emirates Draw in an interview.
Rajagopalan was stunned to find that he had matched all seven numbers – an almost impossible feat he calls nothing short of a miracle. The life-changing ticket was bought on March 10 – a day deeply personal to him.

“It was a special day because it was my mother’s 89^th birthday. I think it was her blessings that got me this win.”
Born in Chennai, Rajagopalan did his schooling in Neyveli town, and earned his engineering degree from Annamalai University in Chidambaram. He later built a successful career as an electrical engineer across the Gulf.

Rajagopalan bought three tickets: EASY6, FAST5, and MEGA7 in a single transaction. March 15 was his birthday, March 16 the MEGA7 draw, and on March 17, his phone rang.

“I got a call from Emirates Draw. Only then I came to know that I had won MEGA7. It was incredible. I didn't even have an iota of belief that I would win. So, I hadn’t even checked.”
While his mother was asleep, he broke the news to his wife and younger son.
“They were shocked and didn’t believe.”
The family checked the numbers together and one by one, all seven matched: 11, 30, 12, 17, 10, 33, 24.

Rajagopalan noted that it isn’t the first time he’s bought a ticket on his mother’s birthday. But this time, fate decided to reward his faith.

“I want to thank my mom for everything. Both my father and mother have put in lot of hard work. My father is no more. It’s through my mother’s blessings that I am where I am today. I offer my heartful thanks to her.”

Rajagopalan said the unexpected windfall will dramatically change his life and social status. He plans to use the money wisely – for family, charity, and a few long-cherished dreams. His priorities include investing into education of two sons, possibly sending them to study in the US, having a large dream house with all amenities, and expanding the charity work he’s already involved in. “It’s so much money.”

Rajagopalan has a simple message for those chasing a dream.
“You never know when your luck is going to shine. But when it does, you should have the ticket in your hand.”
Note: UAE residents can no longer participate in Emirates Draw, as the company has paused operations in the country from January 1, 2024, following new regulations by the UAE’s Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).