Four Indian expats residing in the UAE and Bahrain have struck gold, literally, in the latest Big Ticket Abu Dhabi weekly e-draw. Each of the four winners was awarded a 200-gram, 24-carat gold bar, with each bar valued at approximately Dh96,500, which translates to around ₹25 lakh at current exchange rates. Collectively, the four gold bars are worth about ₹1 crore.
Meet the Lucky Winners
The fortunate individuals are Aruna Krishnappa Kidiyoor, Jijoy Viswan, Sadathulla Sharief, and Manisha Harshal Kasat. Their wins represent months or even years of consistently participating in the Big Ticket draws, sometimes individually and often as part of a group.
Office Boy from Bahrain Celebrates
Aruna Krishnappa Kidiyoor, 45, an office boy who has lived in Bahrain for 23 years, expressed immense joy and surprise upon learning of his win. He had been purchasing Big Ticket entries for some time, intensifying his participation with a group of friends over the past four months. Aruna, who has not yet decided how to utilize his prize, encourages others to keep trying their luck and never lose hope.
Freelancer’s Solo Attempt Pays Off
Manisha Harshal Kasat, 30, originally from Mumbai and a resident of Sharjah for over a decade, decided to buy a ticket on her own this time after three years of monthly participation, sometimes with groups. The winning call left her feeling emotional and happy. Manisha plans to continue participating in future draws, echoing Aruna's sentiment: “Never lose hope. One day, you might just get lucky!”
Group Ticket Success for Contracting Professional
Jijoy Viswan, 51, from Kerala, has resided in Sharjah since 2007, working in the contracting industry while his family lives in India. He had been a consistent participant, buying tickets monthly as part of a group of five to ten people. Unaware of the e-draw, he was surprised by the Big Ticket team's call and later verified his win online. Jijoy intends to share the winnings with his group, save a portion, and support his wife and children.
Engineer in Dubai Finds Unexpected Fortune
Sadathulla Sharief, 51, a civil engineer from Bangalore, has been living in Dubai for a year. He first encountered Big Ticket at the airport and has since purchased tickets both in-store and online. He described his reaction to the news as “extremely excited” and “couldn’t believe my luck.” Sadathulla is yet to decide on the use of his prize but plans to continue participating, advising others to “Trust your luck.”
These stories highlight the enduring appeal of such draws for expats hoping for a life-changing win, often after years of effort and perseverance in their adopted homes.