Indian wins $1m in Dubai Duty Free raffle draw

Three Indian expats were announced as the winners of the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw held on Wednesday at Dubai Duty Free Head Office in Ramool.

Ajith Narendran, a 47 year old Indian national based in Abu Dubai joined the list of $1 million winners when his ticket number 2657 in Series 329 that he purchased online was drawn on Wednesday.

A father of two, Narendran works as purchasing manager for Marriot Hotel in Abu Dhabi and purchased the winning ticket with a friend.

Narendran who hails from Kerala, has been living in Abu Dhabi for 3 years now and has just recently started buying tickets online for the  Dubai Duty Free promotions in January 2020. 

Commenting on his win, Narendran said: “I really cannot believe this great news and in the current situation we are in today, I totally forgot about this ticket. Dubai Duty Free gave me so much happiness today with the $1 million win. Thank you so much and I cannot wait to share this $1 million to my friend.”

Wednesday’s draw was conducted following strict social distancing by Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin, Chief Operating Officer, Ramesh Cidambi and Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President – Corporate Services.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, two other Indian nationals were announced winners in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Promotion to win a luxury motorbike each.

Abdul Jaleel T, a 35 year old Indian national staying in Bur Dubai won a Moto Guzzi V85 TT Evocative (Rosso Kalahari) in Series 406 with ticket number 0291.

Currently on vacation in Kerala, Jaleel is a regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free promotions for five years now. A pharmacist for Aster Pharmacy in Bur Dubai, Mr T was elated to know that he finally won in Dubai Duty Free.

“Thank you Dubai Duty Free. I am very grateful for this win considering the current situation that we are all in.”

Meanwhile, Rajesh Balan Padikkal, a 45 year old Indian national also based in Dubai, won a Moto Guzzi Audace (Nevo Travolgente) in Series 407 with ticket number 0056, which he bought online.

A self-confessed biker, Balan Paddikal who works as logistics manager for a company in Dubai Investment Park, is a regular online ticket buyer in Dubai Duty Free promotions for two years now.

“I’m happy with this news and I would like to thank Dubai Duty Free for giving me one of my dream motorbike”, added Balanpaddikal..