Thank you, Dubai: From meat shop to Big Ticket win for Kerala worker

For Kabeer Kazhinkil, life in Dubai has always been about hard work, opportunity, and dreams of a better future. But the 42-year-old expat from Kerala, who has been working in a meat shop, never imagined that he would win a cash prize in the Big Ticket raffle draw.

Along with five friends, including a driver and a few typing centre staff, Kabeer – the father of two – bagged Dh50,000, a modest amount when divided, but one that filled his heart with joy. This win is nothing short of a blessing from the country he now calls home for the past 22 years.

“I am happy that I won in this country, which has helped me earn my livelihood. I feel blessed. This land has given me a job, an opportunity to thrive, and now an unexpected Big Ticket win. Out of millions of Indians here, I am among the chosen few. I can’t thank Dubai enough. This country looks after me and my family,” said Kabeer.

The win, however, brought with it a flood of attention. Back in Kerala, his family was overwhelmed with congratulatory calls, while in Dubai, customers and acquaintances crowded the shop where he works. Many assumed he had won the jackpot or taken the entire Dh50,000 for himself.

“People think I won this amount alone. But we are a group of six friends, including a driver and a few who work at a typing centre. So, you know how much each person gets,” said Kabeer, a father of two children.
When divided, each person would get about Dh8,333.
Kabeer revealed that his family in Kerala even had to temporarily move to a relative’s place because of the constant visitors.
“It isn’t that I won a jackpot, but people won’t believe it,” he added with a smile.

The group started trying their luck in Big Ticket draws only about a year ago, with most tickets purchased in Kabeer’s name. This time, luck finally favoured them.
Their winning ticket number, 170133, was bought on July 7.

Ironically, Kabeer wasn’t even watching the live draw when the number was called.
“A relative told me I had won. I thought it was a prank. The next day, phone calls started pouring in, and then after a few days, Big Ticket confirmed it.”

Despite the modest share, Kabeer is overjoyed.
“Yes, I will continue to buy tickets. Not just me, I wish everyone gets lucky and finds happiness.”