Indian father wins $1m after he buys DDF ticket in 7-year-old son's name

A 7-year-old Indian national living in Ajman became the latest addition to young millionaires in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion at a draw held on Tuesday at Concourse C of Dubai International Airport.

Kapilraj Kanakaraj won $ 1 million in Series 327 with ticket number 4234.

Kanakaraja, who hails from Tamil Nadu and has been a resident of Ajman for 27 years, was emotional after learning that the ticket which he purchased on Feb.21, 2020, under his  son’s name gave him the surprise of a lifetime.

“Words aren’t enough to express how I feel today. My family and I are so thankful for this wonderful blessing. Part of the prize money will definitely go to our furniture shop business and for my son’s future. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free for this life-changing win!”

Also, three winners of luxury vehicles were announced in the Finest Surprise Promotion directly after the Millennium Millionaire draw.

Devaraj Subramaniam, a 57-year-old Indian national based in Dubai, won a Mercedes Benz S560 (Diamond White) in Series 1749 with ticket number 1106. A resident of Dubai for 12 years, Subramaniam works as an Integration Manager for General Electric.

A father of one,  Subramaniam, who hails from Chennai, was delighted of his win and commented, “Thank you much Dubai Duty Free, it’s just pure luck when I bought the ticket but through divine grace I won this prize.”

Lady Luck also shone on a 38-year-old Filipino national based in Dubai.

Marie Joy Candalla won a Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Sport motorbike with ticket number 0112 in Series 402, which she bought online on Feb.26, 2020.

Commenting on her win, Candalla, a  resident of  Dubai for 6 years said: “I am so happy to win in the DDF Finest Surprise Promotion and was surprised that my luck came early –  this is my third online ticket which I purchased over a period of 3 months, and I will surely continue to participate  in the future draws.”

Lastly, Ahmed Saeed Mohd, a 44-year-old, Dubai-based Sudanese national, won an Aprilia RSV4 RR (Nero) in Series 403 with ticket number 0642. Mohd bought his ticket on Feb.21, 2020, during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships – WTA Semifinals.

A longtime resident of Dubai for 42 years,  Mohd is a registered nurse for Dubai Health Authority and has been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotions for the past 4-5 years.

“This is a very good news for today and hopefully the start of a much bigger prize for me. Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this amazing promotion.”

Mohd is the third Sudanese national to win a motorbike since its introduction in 2002.

Tuesday’s draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Chief Operating Officer, Ramesh Cidambi, COO, Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President – Corporate Services, Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President – Marketing, Mona Al Ali, Senior Vice President – HR and Michael Schmidt, Senior Vice President – Retail Support.