A Sharjah man has won the latest Big Ticket weekly draw in Abu Dhabi – two days after his wife gave birth to twins, it was announced on Friday.
Bijesh Bose, an Indian resident in his 30s, received the happy news that he had won Dh1 million ($272,000) as he stepped out of the hospital where his wife and their babies were, to buy lunch.
The UAE's latest millionaire aims to share some of the prize money with workmates who pitched in to buy the ticket.
“Just two days ago my wife gave birth to twins and today I've won a million dirhams,” said Mr Bose.
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UAE residents who struck lucky with Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket draw attended a gala dinner. Organisers of the draw celebrated the winners' good luck at the Alexandra Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina. All photos by Leslie Pableo / The National -
Richard Isaac and Bouchra Yamani, the two presenters who pick out the raffle tickets and call the winners, interacted with the winners. Some of attendees had won jackpots of between Dh1 million to Dh15 million, while others won Dh90,000 -
'The National' spoke to winners about how they have spent their grand prize. Shivamurthy Gali Krishnappa won Dh12 million last month. He said he wants to save for his children's future. For now, he is still working as a mechanical engineer for a stainless steel production company -
Shahed Ahmed Moulvifaiz, a Bangladeshi car garage owner in Al Ain, won Dh10 million less than a week ago. He wants to bring his family to the UAE, expand his business and spend on his youngest son's education -
Jayaprakash Mariyan Philip had won the Dh1 million prize with nine other people. The funds were split equally, leaving him with Dh100,000. He said he has paid off part of his bank loans -
Zaheenn Kausar was visiting her husband in Abu Dhabi from Pakistan, when he bought a ticket under her name. She proved lucky for her family after winning Dh90,000. She wants to pay for her daughter's university tuition and buy a car for herself -
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 5,000 people would gather during a live event in Abu Dhabi to watch the draw take place. Since 2020, the draw streams live on social media channels, bringing in even larger crowds -
Many people buy multiple tickets together and then split the prize equally. There are also those who win after buying a ticket alone, allowing them to keep the entire jackpot -
The Abu Dhabi Big Draw has been changing lives since 1992 -
The ticket for the grand prize costs Dh500
“I believe my two new babies have bought extra lucky into my life and that is the reason for my win today.”
The elated dad has yet to figure out what to do with the money but he will ensure its put to good use.
“I have to divide the money among a few of my friends and colleagues who shared this ticket with me. After the excitement settles, I’ll start planning how to put the money to good use.”
The next draw for the Dh1m prize takes place on January 1, while a draw for Dh25m takes place on January 3.
Big Ticket was launched in 1992 at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Tickets can be purchased at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Ain Airport and online.
