Kishoresh Rout, a 60-year-old business owner from Ranch, is the latest Big Ticket winner. SUPPLIED

An Indian expatriate who won Dh1 million in Big Ticket’s latest draw has revealed the simple belief that kept him buying tickets despite years of skepticism from family and friends: never stop trying because “what is meant for you will find its way to you.” Kishoresh Rout, a 60-year-old business owner from Ranchi who has lived in the UAE for 18 years, emerged as the biggest winner among five Indian expatriates who shared Dh1.95 million in consolation prizes under Big Ticket’s Series 287. His Dh1 million win was also his first-ever Big Ticket prize after two years of regular participation. What makes his story particularly memorable is that one of the first people he called after learning about the win was his daughter, who had repeatedly discouraged him from buying raffle tickets. “My daughter would always warn me whenever I went to buy a ticket, telling me that these raffle companies are a scam and that I would never win. But I never listened and kept participating,” Rout said. “This particular ticket, I actually hid from her. So when I found out I had won, the very first person I called was my daughter. We were both overjoyed.”

The winning secret

Asked if he had any special strategy when selecting tickets, Rout admitted to having a small superstition. “When choosing the winning ticket, I made sure the digits added up to a total of 5. I don't believe in it too much, but it certainly worked for me this time,” he said. Still, Rout credited persistence more than luck. His advice to aspiring winners was straightforward: “Believe in yourself. Your day will come, and what is meant for you will find its way to you.” The longtime UAE resident said his family circumstances made the win especially meaningful. “I intend to give it to my daughter, as she is getting married and it will go a long way in helping her,” he said. The victory has also changed the minds of some of the people around him. “My daughter has now asked me to buy tickets on her behalf, so I've already purchased four,” Rout said. “My colleagues have also requested I buy on their behalf, so I told them to form a group, pool their contributions, and I'll put mine in too and buy the ticket, since my luck has proven itself.”

Five Indian expats share Dh1.95 million

Rout was among five Indian expatriates who won consolation prizes in the latest Big Ticket series. Sharjah resident Jinoy Kumar, a 42-year-old salesman from Kerala, won Dh500,000 after participating in Big Ticket every month with a group of 20 friends. The win marked the group's first success. “We have been participating since so long and it feels amazing to finally win. I am so happy for all of us,” Kumar said. He plans to use his share of the prize for a family holiday later this year. Sharad Kumar Singh, a 44-year-old software consultant from Uttar Pradesh, received Dh250,000 after more than two years of monthly participation. This is his first time winning, and he follows no special routine, buying four random tickets each month. “It was just an ordinary day at work when the call came through, and within 30 seconds, the day wasn't ordinary anymore,” he said. Singh plans to invest the money in the future of his family and continue participating in upcoming draws. Parabhuram Yadav, a 45-year-old employee of a marble company in Sharjah, won Dh100,000 after regularly purchasing tickets online. “I am very happy, it is a wonderful feeling,” Yadav said. He encouraged others to take a chance and buy the ticket. "If it is meant for you, it will come to you,” he said. Meanwhile, Prakasan Themaliprambil, an Indian expatriate residing in Saudi Arabia, also won Dh100,000 after discovering that ticket number 052606 had turned into a winning entry.

More chances to win in Big Ticket

Big Ticket said June offers customers multiple opportunities to win, including a Dh25 million grand prize that will be drawn live on July 3. Five additional participants will each win Dh1 million as consolation prize winners. Customers purchasing a Big Ticket during June will also be entered into The Big Spin, with three finalists to be selected during the July 3 live draw. They will compete on August 3 for cash prizes of up to Dh1 million each. The promotion also includes luxury vehicle giveaways, with a BMW X6 scheduled to be awarded on July 3 and a Maserati Grecale on August 3. There are also weekly e-draws with a cash reward of Dh25,000 each to four winners. Tickets are available online and at Big Ticket retail outlets across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. CAM/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page