Keralite thanks Dubai Duty Free after winning Dhs3.67m draw

A group of Indian colleagues collectively won $1 million (Dhs3.67 million) in the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, held on Wednesday at Concourse A of Dubai International Airport.

Prasad Sivadasan, a 45-year-old Indian national based in Dubai, became a $1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 492 with ticket number 3793 which he purchased online on Feb.19.

A resident of Dubai for 20 years now, Sivadasan shared the cost of the ticket with his 9 colleagues, who have been participating in the Dubai Duty Free (DDF) promotion for 7-8 years now, alternating the name on the ticket for each series whenever they purchase.

Sivadasan is a father of two and works as system engineer for Seven Seas Technologies in Bur Dubai.

“I’m very thankful to Dubai Duty Free. We are so happy with this news!” he said.

Sivadasan, who hails from Kerala, is the 246th Indian national to have won $1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999, with Indian nationals being the biggest buyers of tickets.

The draw was conducted by DDF Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak, Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR, Michael Schmidt, SVP – Retail and Sharon Beecham, SVP - Purchasing.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury cars and motorbikes. Joining in the draw were Yasa Tahir, VP - HR, Mohamad Al Khaja, VP - Retail Support, Salim Dahman, Senior Manager - Marketing, Khalid Saleh, Senior Manager - Loss Prevention & Corporate Security.

Shahul Hameed, a 38-year-old Indian national based in Abu Dhabi, won a BMW M850i Gran Coupe (Tanzanite Blue Metallic) car with ticket number 985 in the Finest Surprise Series 1911 which he purchased online on Feb.3.

A regular participant in DDF’s promotion for more than 10 years now, Hameed works as an IT manager for a semi-government company.

“Indeed, dreams do come true! I’ve been trying my luck for the last 10 years and now I finally won the car!” he said.

Meanwhile, Adel Ranjbar, a 47-year-old Iranian national based in Dubai, won a BMW 740i M Sport (Tanzanite Blue Metallic) car with ticket number 98 in the Finest Surprise Series 1912, which he purchased at Terminal 2 on Feb.13.

A regular participant in DDF’s promotion for 8 years, Ranjbar is a father of two and works for a shoe shop in Murshid bazaar.

“I wish before that one day I will win in your promotion, and now it has finally happened. Thank you Dubai Duty Free,” he said.

While Kamal Thahaseel Shakur, a 48-year-old Indian national based in Dubai, won an Indian Scout Bobber Limited Plus Tech (Black Smoke) motorbike with ticket number 175 in the Finest Surprise Series 615 which he purchased in Concourse B on Feb.9.

A regular participant in DDF’s promotion for 10 years now, Shakur is a father of two and works as regional manager for FEDEX.

“Amazing! I’m very happy though I hope it’s a call for my ticket to Millennium Millionaire. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free,” he said.

Lastly, Htet Pine-Oo, a 36-year-old Myanmar national based in Sharjah, won a BMW R12 (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 816 in the Finest Surprise Series 616 which he purchased online on 26th February.

A regular participant in DDF’s promotion for since last year, Pine-Oo, who works for a retail company in Dubai, is the first Myanmar national to have won a motorbike since it was added in the Finest Surprise promotion in 2002.

“I love Dubai Duty Free! Thank you for this win,” he said.