News Desk
DUBAI: Two groups of Indian colleagues each won US$1 million in the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, held today at Concourse A of Dubai International Airport.
Mr. Ettiyanikkal Pailybabu, a 56-year-old Indian national based in Dubai became a US$1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 513 with ticket number 3068 which he purchased online on 18th August.
A resident of Dubai for 16 years now, Mr. Pailybabu shared the cost of the ticket with his nine colleagues, who have been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for 4 years now, alternating the name on the ticket for each series whenever they purchase.
Mr. Pailybabu hails from Kerala is a father of two and works as a site supervisor for a manpower agency in Dubai.
“Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this timely win! We are very happy and blessed,” he said.
When asked about his own plans for the prize money, he said “I’ll probably go back to Kerala and start a small business.”
Another lucky ticket holder who will be sharing the US$1 million prize money with his colleague is Mr. Gopi Devarajan, a 46-year-old Indian national based in Sharjah who won in Millennium Millionaire Series 514 with ticket number 1978 which he purchased online on 14th August.
A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion since 2009, Mr. Devarajan shared the cost of the lucky ticket number, which is his birth year, with his three colleagues – a group he has formed over the past 7 years.
Mr. Devarajan, who hails from Chennai, is a father of two and works as a manager for Burjeel Hospital.
“This is unbelievable! I have never won any promotions before – this is the first time I’ve won such a big amount. Thank you Dubai Dury Free!” he said.
When asked about his plans, he shared, “I will definitely save this for my children’s education. I may also buy a house and start a small business.”
Mr. Pailybabu and Mr. Devarajan are the 257th and 258th Indian nationals, respectively, to win US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since its inception in 1999, with Indian nationals being the biggest buyers of tickets.
Today’s draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR, Michael Schmidt, SVP – Retail, Sharon Beecham, SVP – Purchasing, Zayed Al Shebli, SVP – Loss Prevention & Corporate Security, Mansoor Al Khaja, VP – Finance, Mohamad Al Khaja, VP – Retail Support, Thankachan Varghese, Senior Manager- Retail Support, Salim Ibrahim, Senior Manager- Retail Sales, Salim Dahman, Senior Manager – Marketing and Khalid Saleh, Senior Manager – Loss Prevention & Corporate Security.
Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury vehicles.
Mr. Khaled Al Dhaheri, a 51-year-old an Emirati national based in Abu Dhabi won a Land Rover Defender 110 V8 HSE P525 (Fuji White) car with ticket number 0047 in the Finest Surprise Series 1931 which he purchased online on 7th August.
A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for 5 years now, Mr. Al Dhaheri is a retired government employee and a father of four.
“I’m so happy and lucky that I won with Dubai Duty Free. Thank you so much!” he said.
Lastly, Mr. Olavo Fernandes, an Indian national based in the UAE won an Aprilia RSV4 1100 (Grey) motorbike with ticket number 0602 in the Finest Surprise Series 635 which he purchased online on 9th August.
Mr. Fernandes is currently uncontactable, but will no doubt be delighted to learn of his win.
