Indian driver wins $1 million in Dubai raffle

Kaplenghat Velu Venugopalan doesn't come across as a man who has just won $1 million. When Khaleej Times contacted the Indian driver after he won the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion, he was busy doing what he does every day - deliver his company's products to customers.

"I may have won, but I still have to do my job, don't I?" said Venugopalan, who hails from the south Indian state of Kerala.

On Tuesday, Venugopalan became the 121st Indian to win the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion among a total of 252 raffle draws. Third time was the charm for Venugopalan, as it was his third ticket that helped him become a millionaire.

"I have bought a lot of raffle tickets over the years, but God had this plan for me. I have not won a single dirham before this. I guess when God decided to give me, he gave me the biggest."

The native of Malappuram district had landed in the UAE in 1987. After doing odd jobs for a couple of years, he joined a company as a driver, and has been with it ever since. Thirty years in the UAE later, Venugopalan now plans to go back to India and "start a small business".

He also plans to use his newfound wealth to support the less fortunate. "I have personally seen many patients struggling to pay off their medical bills. I want to help them."
Other winners

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, Dubai Duty Free presented a $1 million cheque to Bronvin S. Muns, an Indian national living in Dubai, who won in Series 249 in August.

The winner said: "I am excited to be here today for such a wonderful occasion. Winning $1 million is an unforgettable experience, which will change our lives. We are grateful to Dubai Duty Free for such amazing promotions and will continue buying tickets in the hope of making it second time lucky."

Three more winners were announced in Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Promotion, each one winning a luxury vehicle.

Michael Botros, a 32 year-old Australian national living in Dubai won a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe. Speaking from Kuwait, Botros, who works as a Manager for Ernst & Young, said he bought his first ever ticket in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise promotion.

"I am thrilled to have won a luxury car with my first ever ticket in the Dubai Duty Free promotion and I thank the Dubai Duty Free team for making my day a very memorable one."

In addition, Ajit Kumar, a Dubai-based Indian, won a Jaguar F Type Coupe V8 while Suresh Kutharambath Sukumaran Nair, also an Indian expat, won a BMW R 1200 GS motorbike.

Source: Khaleej Times