DDF lights up Diwali celebration, announces two winners of $1 million each

Dubai Duty Free celebrated the Diwali Festival of Light in Dubai International Airport on Tuesday with a special reception attended by Vipul, the Indian Consul General to Dubai, which coincided with the draw for the Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise.

Khussain Yeremeshev, a Kazakhstan national won $1 million in Series number 313 with ticket number 3614.

Yeremeshev who bought his winning ticket online was not reachable at the time of draw but will surely be surprised when he learns of the good news.

Yeremeshev is the second Kazakhstan national to win in this promotion since its inception in 1999.

Meanwhile, Kamalasanan Nadar Vasu, a 56 year old Indian expat in Dubai will also be taking home $1 million for his winning ticket number 3318 in Series 314.

A Dubai resident for 30 years now, Vasu runs a steel fabrication business.

A long-time participant to Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for 8 years now,

Kamalasanan purchased the ticket when he travelled home to Kerala.

Vasu and his friend shared the ticket cost and both of them are equally happy with the news.

Commenting on his win, Vasu said, “Thank God for this wonderful news! I have been living in Dubai for a long time and I had picked up a massive debt since my business went down in January 2018. I will be using this money to settle my debts and the rest will be saved for my business and my future.  Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free!”

Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Colm McLoughlin led the senior management group in welcoming Vipul and was joined by Dubai Duty Free’s Chief Operating Officer, Ramesh Cidambi and Executive Vice President – Corporate Services, Salah Tahlak.

To mark the festivities a traditional Indian dance (Kathak dance) was performed by the dance group Ocean Kids, to welcome the guests in Terminal 1 Concourse C, before Vipul was invited to join a cake cutting ceremony.

Commenting on the Diwali celebration, Colm McLoughlin said, “We are privileged to be joined by the Indian Consul General, Vipul to celebrate Diwali. Dubai Duty Free employs 950 Indian nationals and Indian passengers account for 13% of our business, so it is appropriate that we mark this most popular Festival which is celebrated all over the world.”

Consul General, Vipul said, “Thank you Colm and Ramesh for inviting me to your Diwali celebration here at Dubai Duty Free. As you said you have a great Indian employment in Dubai Duty Free, I feel very happy that so many Indians are working here. Indians form the majority in the number of tourists who come to Dubai and to UAE and of course many of them will be doing their shopping here in Dubai Duty Free. Wishing you all happy Diwali!”

Vipul then joined in the draw for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, four winners of luxury vehicles were also announced in the Finest Surprise Promotion.

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.

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.

“Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this great opportunity of becoming one of the lucky winners of your fantastic promotion.”

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.

“Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this good opportunity given to expats like me. The chance of winning any of your promotion is everyone’s dream.”

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.

Lastly, Khajapasha Shaik, a 49 year old Indian national based in Dubai won an Aprilia Tuono RR (Red) in Series 384 with ticket number 0897.

Shaik who bought two tickets in this series online, works as an RTA bus driver. A Dubai resident for 11 years,  Shaik regularly buy tickets online or in Dubai Duty Free arrivals in Terminal 3 whenever he was assigned there.

“Thank you! Dubai Duty Free is indeed world class!”

As part of the promotional activities for Diwali, Dubai Duty Free rolled out a series of special promotions including a 20  per cent discount offer on Oct.17-18 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 Dhs61.86 million ($16.95 million). From a category point of view, Cosmetics was the top performing category with sales of Dhs12.3 million ($ 3.37 million) during the two days followed by Perfumes sales which amounted to Dhs 10.04 million ($2.75 million).

Other attractive offers featured the "Diwali Special Offers" on gold products - Buy selected gold products for Dhs8,000 and above and get Dhs5 discount per gram.

Themed retail areas for Diwali are in place throughout the retail operation, featuring the most popular products, while Indian staff are dressed in traditional attire to add to the authentic atmosphere.

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.