In the UAE, 18 friends from India win $1 million in Dubai Duty Free draw
In Ajman, UAE, 18 friends from India won $1 million in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw. The winning ticket No. 4891 was purchased online by Jijo Pulikkathodi, who will share the prize money with 17 friends, The National reports.
Shared ticket
Pulikkathodi and his friends live in shared accommodation in Ajman, with most of them originating from the state of Kerala in southern India. The group had been buying tickets together for three to four months. According to one of the co-winners, Mohammed Anas, this was only the second ticket they had purchased as part of the Dubai Duty Free promotion.
When Pulikkathodi received a call about the win at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, he and his friends first checked whether their ticket number matched the announced number. Anas noted that the winnings would help all members of the group.
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Winner's plans
The 41-year-old Pulikkathodi has lived in the UAE for four years and works at a photo studio, earning 1,800 dirhams a month. He said he has not yet decided how to use the money, but may invest part of the sum in opening his own photo studio in the future.
Other co-owners of the ticket include a pharmacy assistant, drivers, a sales manager, a store manager, an electrician and a courier. Most of the friends were at work when the result was announced, so they planned to gather for a joint celebration in the evening.
Pulikkathodi became the 283rd Indian national to win $1 million in the Millennium Millionaire programme since its launch in 1999. According to the publication, Indians are the largest buyers of tickets in this promotion.
