'World tour, Labubu for daughter': Dubai's Indian expat wins $1 million, reveals plans
The 42-year-old senior operations supervisor at a logistics company has been pooling money with his colleagues to buy raffle tickets regularly. 'There were 20 of us when we started, but only 10 have continued for the last two years. This time, we got lucky,' said Sabish, who hails from Thrissur in Kerala.
The winning ticket (4296) was purchased online on July 4, and when Sabish received the call, he couldn't believe it. 'I thought it was a prank or some promotional call. When they asked for my details and announced that I had won, my hands began to shake. I couldn't breathe,' he said.
Sabish, who has been working in the same company for 17 years, said the group plans to divide the money equally. 'Each of us will get approximately Dh370,000. Most of us are settled here. We will continue working, but this will also help us start a small business. It's a great boost,' he said.
He said his wife, who works in Sharjah, and his young daughter were equally excited. 'My daughter was shocked, but now she just wants her toys, especially Labubu. She keeps reminding me.'
After years of hoping for a win, Sabish believes the wait was worth it. 'We were not expecting it, but somewhere in our hearts, we believed one day it would happen.'
First-ever Russian winner
Joining Sabish in the millionaire ranks is Maen Saleh, a 57-year-old Russian based in Doha, Qatar. He won in Series 509 with ticket number 1184, becoming the first Russian national to take home the $1 million prize. 'This win will help me build a house in my village in Suzdal and support my son's education in Malta,' he said.
The Dubai Duty Free draw also saw four others win luxury vehicles. Czech national Alice Semianova won a Mercedes-Benz S500, while Indian expat Sridhar Ankam Bhikshapathi, a porter at Dubai Airport, won a Bentley Bentayga V8. Indian national Roby Devassy won a Ducati Multistrada motorbike, and British expat Robert Miggels, based in Ras Al Khaimah, rode away with a BMW S 1000 R.
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