An Indian expatriate living in Bahrain has become the latest multi-millionaire after winning Dhs20 million in the Big Ticket draw held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Krishna Kumar Syamala Ravindran was revealed as the grand prize winner, walking away with an Dhs20 million win, as MD Ranu Miah Miah claimed the keys to a brand-new Range Rover Velar.
Kumar, a 43-year-old businessman from Kerala, has been living in Bahrain for the past 23 years while his family remains back home. He has been participating in Big Ticket draws for the last seven years.
Reflecting on his journey, Krishna shared, "I started participating around the time COVID began, nearly seven years ago. Sometimes I would purchase tickets with a small group of friends, and other times I would take part on my own. This winning ticket was purchased independently.”
Recalling the winning moment, he added, "I actually missed the call at first because my phone was switched off. When I eventually found out that I had won, I was in complete shock. I was literally shaking and still find it hard to believe.” Krishna also noted that the winning ticket had been selected entirely at random.
Speaking about his plans, he said that he has not yet decided how he will use the prize and intends to discuss it with his family before making any decisions.
Looking ahead, he shared that he may participate again in the future and encouraged others to remain persistent, adding, "I started taking part with the hope of creating better opportunities for myself and my family. My advice to others is to keep trying, stay positive, and never give up.”
MD Ranu Miah Miah - Range Rover Velar Winner
Ranu, a 39-year-old electrical maintenance worker from Bangladesh, has been living in the UAE for the past 18 years and currently resides in Al Ain while his family remains back home. He has been participating in Big Ticket for the last five years.
Reflecting on his journey, Ranu shared, "I’ve been taking part in Big Ticket for the past five years. I usually purchase the grand prize tickets as part of a group of 20 people, while I participate in the Dream Car draws on my own. When I received the winning call, I was extremely happy and grateful. It felt like luck was finally on my side.”
He added that the win came at a particularly meaningful time, explaining that he had recently faced some financial challenges and had to rely on support from friends. "This win arrived at the perfect moment,” he said.
Speaking about his plans, Ranu shared that he has not yet decided whether he will keep the car or opt for the cash equivalent.
However, he confirmed that he intends to continue participating in Big Ticket for as long as he remains in the UAE, with hopes of one day winning the grand prize.