Latest news with #MillenniumMillionaireSeries500
NDTV
11-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Kerala Man Wins Rs 8.5 Crore Jackpot In Dubai, Calls It A "Lifesaver" After Betrayal
A 52-year-old man from Kerala, working in the UAE, has won the $1 million (around Rs 8.5 crore) jackpot in Dubai Duty Free's Millennium Millionaire draw - a windfall he describes as a "lifesaver" after facing betrayal and financial distress. Venugopal Mullacheri, an IT support specialist and resident of Ajman, had been trying his luck at the draw for over 15 years. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Mullacheri said winning the jackpot felt like a "massive burden" being lifted off his shoulders. "The win marks the end of a difficult chapter and the beginning of a new one filled with hope and happiness," he said. Mullacheri bought the winning ticket at Dubai airport on April 23, after returning from a trip to India to visit family. His persistence paid off, making him the 500th winner of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw. Recounting his struggles, Mullacheri revealed that he had been battling heavy debts, made worse by the betrayal of someone he had trusted. "I had recently built a house and was facing huge financial pressures. Being let down by someone close only worsened things. This jackpot came as a true saviour," he shared. We have our 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞! Congratulations to 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐠𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢, an Indian expat from Ajman, UAE, for winning 𝐔𝐒$𝟏 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 in our landmark Millennium Millionaire Series 500! Out of 5,000 participants from 123 nationalities - his… — Dubai Duty Free (@DubaiDutyFree) May 7, 2025 The father of two said he plans to first clear his debts and take a much-needed vacation with his family. "I haven't decided everything yet, but I will definitely take a long break and spend time with my loved ones. After that, I hope to return to the UAE, start a business, and eventually bring my family here too. The UAE is very close to my heart - I can't imagine living anywhere else," he added. Since the announcement, Mullacheri's inspiring story of perseverance and hope has gone viral, striking a chord with many across India and the Gulf region.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Indian-origin man wins ₹8.3 crore in Dubai after trying for 15 years: ‘I couldn't even respond'
An Indian expat living in the UAE has struck it big by winning $1 million (approximately ₹8.3 crore) in Dubai Duty Free's (DDF) Millennium Millionaire draw, marking his victory as the 500th in the promotion's history. Venugopal Mullacheri, a 52-year-old father of two from Kerala, had been trying his luck for over 15 years before finally landing the life-changing prize, reported the Gulf News. Mullacheri, who works in IT support in Ajman, was watching the live draw on Dubai Duty Free's Facebook page when he was announced as the winner. His ticket number 1163, purchased at the Terminal 2 Arrivals shop on April 23, made him the lucky winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 500. 'I'm delighted to become the 500th winner of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire,' Mullacheri said after hearing the news. 'I'm thrilled to finally be one of the many winners it has created. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free.' Also read: 26-year-old woman drops out of PhD to chaperone dogs at weddings, earns ₹22,000 a day Expressing disbelief at winning, he said, "I couldn't even respond". Mullacheri's win is part of a long-standing tradition, with Indian nationals being the most frequent purchasers of tickets since the promotion began in 1999. His win also marks a special milestone in the history of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire, as he is the 249th Indian national to win the $1 million prize. A post shared by Dubai Duty Free (@dubaidutyfree) The celebratory draw was held at Dubai International Airport's Concourse B, with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, attending the event. Alongside him were Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, and other senior officials from the company. 'This promotion has changed people's lives,' said Cidambi. 'Congratulations to Mr. Mullacheri, our 500th US$1 million winner, and to all of our many winners over the years.' Since its inception in 1999, the Millennium Millionaire draw has had a transformative impact on the lives of countless participants, with Mullacheri now among them. Also read: Michelle Obama shows off dance moves ahead of her podcast, internet echoes 'queen'
Gulf Today
07-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Ajman-based Indian father of two wins $1m from Dubai Duty Free draw
Dubai Duty Free has announced the winner of its 500th Millennium Millionaire draw, marking a significant milestone for the long-running promotion that has transformed lives for over 25 years. The celebratory draw took place in Concourse B at Dubai International Airport and was attended by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. His Highness joined the Dubai Duty Free Executive team led by Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, to conduct the draw and announce the lucky winner. Venugopal Mullacheri, a 52-year-old Indian national based in Ajman became the 500th winner of $1 million, in Millennium Millionaire Series 500 with ticket number 1163 which he purchased in Terminal 2 Arrivals shop on April 23. A Dubai Duty Free employee show the lucky number of the Millennium Millionaire promotion. A resident of Ajman for more than a decade, Mullacheri watched the live draw on Dubai Duty Free's official Facebook page and was ecstatic to hear his name announced. A regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free's promotion for over 15 years, Mullacheri is a father of two and works as an IT support for a company in Ajman. Commenting on his win, Mullacheri said, 'I'm delighted to become the 500th winner of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire. As a long-time participant in this popular promotion, I'm thrilled to finally be one of the many winners it has created. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free.' Mullacheri, who hails from Kerala is the 249th Indian national to have won $1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999, with Indian nationals being by far the biggest purchasers of tickets. Commenting on the 500th series draw, Dubai Duty Free's Ramesh Cidambi said, 'Our sincere thanks to our Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum for joining us for this milestone Millennium Millionaire draw here today. The very first draw was made during the Dubai Airshow back in November 1999 and over the years this promotion has changed people's lives. Congratulations to Mullacheri, our 500th $1 million winner and to all of our many winners over the years.' Also present at the draw were Salah Tahlak, Deputy Managing Director, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR, Michael Schmidt, SVP – Retail and Zayed Al Shebli, SVP – Loss Prevention & Corporate Security. Tickets for the milestone series were sold out in 7 days after it went live on April 21 — significantly faster than the average 20-day sales cycle of a regular Millennium Millionaire series. 37% of the tickets were sold out in the first 12 hours. Participants in the Series 500 represent 123 nationalities, with the top three being Indian, British and Pakistani.
