News Desk
DUBAI: A German national and an Indian national have been announced as the new dollar millionaires at the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, held today at Concourse C of Dubai International Airport.
Mr. Manfred Schmidt, a 59-year-old German national based in Marktl, Germany became a US$1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 536 with ticket number 4142 which he purchased online on 10th February.
Mr. Schmidt who purchased four tickets in Millennium Millionaire Series 536, has been participating in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for six years now. The father of one runs his own travel agency.
“Thank you, Dubai Duty Free. You make people very lucky, including me.” he said.
Mr. Schmidt is the 13th German national to have won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion.
Joining Mr. Schmidt as a fellow US dollar millionaire is Mr. Premadasan Makkalikkal, a 47-year-old Indian national based in Dubai who won in Millennium Millionaire Series 537 with ticket number 0277, which he purchased in Terminal 2 on 8th February.
A resident of Dubai for 23 years, Mr. Makkalikkal, who shared the ticket cost with three others (two family members and one friend), has been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion since 2008. He is a father of two and works as a messenger at a typing centre in Dubai. “Thank you very much Dubai Duty Free! This win will help us in a big way,” he said.
Mr. Makkalikkal who hails from Kerala, is the 272nd Indian national to have won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion, with Indian nationals being by far the biggest purchasers of tickets.
Today’s draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, Michael Schmidt, SVP – Retail, Sharon Beecham, SVP – Purchasing, Mohamad Al Khaja, VP – Retail Support, Thankachan Varghese, Senior Manager- Retail Support, Salim Ibrahim, Senior Manager- Retail Sales, Mahesh Chetnani, Duty Manager and Rajesh Advani, Operations Manager – Arrivals & Public Shops.
Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for three luxury vehicles. Joining in the draw was Nasser Al Jasmi, Senior Manager – Exchange Burea.
Mr. Saif, a Saudi Arabian national based in the UAE won a BMW M4 Convertible Competition xDrive (Isle of Man Green Metallic) car with ticket number 1420 in the Finest Surprise Series 1949 which he purchased online 20th January. Mr. Saif is currently uncontactable but will no doubt be delighted to learn of his win.
Mr. Sujesh Velluva Kandy, a 41-year-old Indian national based in Sharjah won a BMW F 900 GS (Trophy White / Blue / Red) motorbike with ticket number 0902 in the Finest Surprise Series 658 which he purchased in Terminal 2 on 19th February.
Mr. Kandy, who shared the ticket cost with his nine colleagues, has been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for 12 years. He is a father of one and works as a dedicated merchandiser for a retail company. “It’s our first time winning, thank you Dubai Duty Free!” he said.
Lastly, Mr. Paul Draaijer, a 47-year-old Dutch national based in Ajman won an Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 (Grey Black) motorbike with ticket number 1083 in the Finest Surprise Series 659 which he purchased at DDF Tennis Shop on 21st February.
A resident of Ajman for the past year after living in Dubai for eight years, mr. Draaijer has been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for the last two years.
The stay-at-home father of one was delighted with his win and said, “Thank you, I’m very happy. I’m glad that I won – its great opportunity.”
