Expat from Hyderabad becomes 168th Indian to win $1m in Dubai Duty Free raffle
- Last updated: September 9, 2020 | 18:33
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
An Indian expatriate living in Dubai has joined the long list of $1 million winners when the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw was held on Wednesday at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport.
Laxmi Venkata Tata Rao Grandhi, a 34 year old Indian national based in Dubai, became the latest dollar millionaire when his ticket number 4829 in Series 338 was drawn on Wednesday.
Grandhi had purchased his ticket online on Aug.29, 2020.
A Dubai resident for over a year now and a regular online ticket buyer in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion, Grandhi who works as software engineer for Synechron Technology in Dubai, was ecstatic when he heard his name announced on the live draw on Dubai Duty Free’s official Facebook page.
“I’m really glad and thankful to Dubai Duty Free for this amazing opportunity. This will definitely secure a better future for my family in India,” he said.
Grandhi who hails from Hyderabad in India is the 168th Indian national to have won $1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999.
Indian nationals make up the highest number of Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire ticket buyers.
Wednesday’s draws were conducted by Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin, Chief Operating Officer, Ramesh Cidambi, Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President – Corporate Services, Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President – Marketing, Mona Al Ali, Senior Vice President – Human Resources, Michael Schmidt, Senior Vice President – Retail Support and Sharon Beecham, Vice President – Purchasing.
Following the draw, a presentation to the previous Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire winner took place.
Nitesh Sughnani, a 35 year old Indian national based in Dubai, won $1 million in Series 337 with ticket number 2321.
Upon receiving his ceremonial cheque, he commented, "I am happy to come to Dubai Duty Free and meet the people who gave me one of the many blessings in my life. My winning is indeed a great help for me and my family for that I will be forever grateful to Dubai Duty Free."
In addition, the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw for one car and two motorbikes were also conducted.
Alexey Kolomeytsev, a Russian national based in Russia won a BMW 750Li xDrive M Sport (Mineral White) with ticket number 1058 in Series 1757 which he purchased online on Aug.15, 2020.
Kolomeytsev is unavailable for immediate comment, but will no doubt be surprised when he learns of his new car.
Meanwhile, Shyju George, a 41 year old Indian national based in Sharjah won a BMW RnineT motorbike (Black Silver aluminium Tank) with ticket number 0838 in Series 420 which he purchased online on Aug.13, 2020.
A resident of Sharjah for 24 years now, George works in the accounts department of Sony Middle East in Jebel Ali.
“Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this luxurious motorbike. I can’t believe to finally won something after participating in your promotion for more than 3 years now.”
Lastly, Frank Matthaes, a German national based in Germany won an Aprilia RSV4 RR motorbike (Superpole) with ticket number 0257 in Series 421 which he purchased online on 20th August. He is also unavailable for comment.