Two Indian expats win $1m each in Dubai Duty Free raffle draw
- 04 Jan 2023
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The New Year brought good luck to two Indian nationals when their names were announced at the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, held on Wednesday at Concourse C of Dubai International Airport.
Kurakula Daveedu, a 53-year-old Indian national based in Hyderabad, became a $1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 410 with ticket number 4578, which he purchased online on Dec.19, 2022.
A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 2 years now, Daveedu, who is a father of two and works as a civil contractor for a private company in Hyderabad, had purchased two tickets in Series 410.
“Thank you Dubai Duty Free, what great blessing for the new year!” he said.
Joining Daveedu as a fellow US dollar millionaire is Sagar Anand Bhatia, a 35-year-old Indian national based in Dubai, who was also announced the winner of $1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 411 with ticket number 3013, which he purchased online on 18th December.
Born and raised in Abu Dhabi before moving to Dubai in 2012, Bhatia, who will be celebrating his birthday on Jan.16, has been buying tickets for over 20 years, on the recommendation of his father, who told him not to miss buying tickets for this promotion.
A self-employed man who runs a technical and engineering supply company, when asked about his initial plans with the $1 million, said, “This is a life-changing win. It will definitely improve my and my family’s lives as well as my business. I also want to help other people.”
“I think everyone should try this promotion and wait for their dreams to come true. Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this amazing win and for the early birthday gift!” he added.
Daveedu and Bhatia are the 203rd and 204th Indian nationals, respectively, to have won $1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999. Indian nationals make up the highest number of Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire ticket buyers.
Wednesday's draws were conducted by Dubai Duty Free's Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin, Ramesh Cidambi, COO, Salah Tahlak, Joint COO, Sinead El Sibai, SVP - Marketing, Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR, Sharon Beecham, SVP – Purchasing and Zayed Al Shebli, SVP - Loss Prevention and Corporate Security. They were joined by Thankachan Varghese, Senior Manager – Retail Support, Salim Ibrahim, Senior Manager – Retail Sales and Rajesh Advani, Operations Manager – Arrivals & Public Shops.
Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury vehicles.
Daniel Abraham, an American national based in Florida, USA won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Graphite Grey) car, with ticket number 1047 in Finest Surprise Series 1826, which he purchased on Dec.16, 2022, on his way to Houston from Dubai.
Abraham is currently uncontactable, but will no doubt be surprised when he learns of his win.
Lastly, Salem Yaqub, a 37-year-old Bangladeshi national based in Ajman won a BMW F 850 GS Adventure (Triple Black) motorbike, with ticket number 1023 in Finest Surprise Series 526, which he purchased online on Dec.18, 2022.
A regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for three years now, Mr. Yaqub is no stranger to winning with Dubai Duty Free as he also previously won a Mercedes Benz S560 (Obsidian Black) car, with ticket number 1127 in Finest Surprise Series no. 1742 on Jan.7, 2020.
Born and raised in Ajman, Mr Yaqub is the owner of Salem Shopping Center in Ajman.
“Indeed, Dubai Duty Free is full of surprises! I cannot believe that I won again in the same month of January. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free!” he said.