In an extraordinary turn of events, a group of 20 Indian expats hailing from Kerala, living in Umm Al Quwain and Dubai, have claimed the grand prize of Dh15 million in Big Ticket's raffle draw series 253 held in Abu Dhabi. These friends demonstrated the power of perseverance, purchasing nearly 30 tickets each month across various draws such as Big Ticket, Mahzooz, and Emirates Draw, despite facing financial difficulties.
The winning ticket number, 061908, was purchased by Nihal Parambath, a 28-year-old resident of Umm Al Quwain, in the name of his father-in-law, Mohammed Ali Moideen, aged 56, who had been trying his luck for decades. Currently on a short vacation to his hometown in Kerala, Moideen entrusted his phone to Parambath, eagerly anticipating the anticipated call from Big Ticket's show hosts, Richard and Bouchra.
Parambath, who works as a purchasing manager in UAQ, shared his experience with Khaleej Times, recounting how his friends played a prank on him just before the live draw, and his initial disbelief upon realizing their astounding win.
"My father-in-law, an accountant, has been purchasing tickets for decades. He used to personally visit the in-store counters at Abu Dhabi International Airport and Al Ain Airport. I encouraged him to switch to online purchases, and two months ago, I gathered a group of friends from Dubai, most of whom are from Kozhikode, to pool our money and buy tickets," explained Parambath.
The group consisted of individuals employed in various sectors such as sales, PRO, and management, with many facing financial challenges. To help everyone overcome their difficulties, Parambath took the initiative to contribute on behalf of those unable to pool money immediately, ensuring their inclusion in the ticket purchases. The newfound windfall will not only resolve their financial concerns but also provide an opportunity to explore future business ventures together or individually.
To maximize their chances of success and alter their destiny, Parambath urged the group to pool their resources and acquire an average of 25-30 tickets from different draws over the past two months. Recognizing the importance of seizing opportunities, he emphasized, "You can win only by trying to maximize opportunities."
On the day of the grand prize announcement, Parambath fell victim to a prank orchestrated by his friends. They called him during the show, claiming they had won. However, upon checking the broadcast himself, he discovered they were only cash prize winners. Disappointed, Parambath decided to take a drive, only to receive another call minutes later, confirming their victory.
While initially skeptical, Parambath quickly became curious after his friends bombarded him with photos, screenshots, and videos of the show hosts announcing the winning number. Doubting the authenticity, he even hung up on a phone call from Big Ticket, suspecting his friends were pranking him once again. It wasn't until he verified the information on the raffle draw's official website and social media platforms, followed by another call from Big Ticket organizers, that he finally believed his newfound millionaire status.
Parambath emphasized that the group would continue purchasing tickets to increase their chances of winning future prizes. He advised others to buy Big Ticket during the first week of each month, as it enhances their prospects of winning the weekly electronic draw of Dh100,000. His joint family, currently in the UAE to celebrate Eid Al Adha, eagerly awaits the return of his father-in-law, who will collect their Dh15 million prize during the August 3 draw.
A single Big Ticket costs Dh500, but purchasing two tickets entitles the buyer to receive a third ticket for free. The general public can conveniently purchase tickets online through Big Ticket's official website or visit the in-store counters at Abu Dhabi International Airport and Al Ain Airport.