- By Poorva Karki
- Mon, 12 Feb 2024 04:44 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kerala Man In UAE Wins Rs 33 Crore Lottery: An India-origin man in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stole all the spotlight after he won a lottery prize of 15 million dirhams (around Rs 33 crore) through the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi weekly lottery draw. But what he decided to do next, made him go viral not only in the UAE but in India as well.
Rajeev Arikkatt, a man hailing from Kerala, has been trying his luck in lottery games for the past 3 years. However, it was the recent ticket number that turned into a key for a major financial boom for the man and his family of 4. Arikkatt has been living in UAE along with his wife and two kids, aged five and eight, for the past 10 years. But it was only recently, that the man's otherwise simple life took a turn he never saw coming. What was further special about the win, was that Arikkatt and his wife selected the lottery ticket based on the combinations of the birthdays of their kids. Buying the ticket with the number ‘037130’, the duo did not have much in mind until they actually made it as the winners.
“I have been residing in Al Ain for more than 10 years. I have been purchasing tickets for the past 3 years. This is the first time I have won a lottery. This time, my wife and I selected tickets with numbers 7 and 13, which are the birth dates of our children,” Arikkatt was quoted as saying to the Times.
Meanwhile, this was not the first time that the couple had an almost lucky ticket number in their possession that was also the combination of the birth dates of their two kids. “Two months back, I missed Dh 1 million by a whisker with the same combination but this time I was fortunate,” the lottery winner further added.
Working as a draftsman and residing in an architectural company, the man had been trying the game for quite a while, due to which, he was quick to recognise the big call. “I was speechless. I couldn't describe the feelings in words. I recognised the host's voice, as I had been listening to it for years. I knew he called the winners, but I never imagined it was the first prize. It was a surprise,” he was quoted as saying to the Times.
ALSO READ: Try Your Luck! Spot The Four-Leaf Clover In Under 15 Seconds | Optical Illusion
However, despite the entire story being one of a kind, what actually made the man go viral was the way he decided to spend the ‘win’. Showcasing rare generosity, the man, along with his family, decided to split the money among a group of 19 people. Calling it a ‘life-changing moment’, Arikkatt counted the blessings that are about to enter the lives of his family and the said group. “This is a life-changing moment, not just for me but for others in our group,” the man was quoted as saying.