Hosts Richard and Bouchra at a Big Ticket draw in Abu Dhabi. ARCHIVE

Aravind Appukuttan, an Indian expatriate based in Sharjah, struck gold when he won Dh25 million in the Big Ticket draw on Tuesday (December 3). The winning ticket, number 447363, was a free entry, making it an even luckier win for Aravind. The 35-year-old salesperson had been consistently buying tickets for two years. When informed of his win while out shopping, Aravind was initially in disbelief. "It’s still sinking in," he admitted, adding that he plans to use the prize wisely by settling loans and securing savings for the future. Aravind said he will also share his winnings with 20 people. "My message to fellow Big Ticket participants is simple: never give up and keep trying your luck,” he advised. The draw also spotlighted last month’s grand prize winner, Prince Sebastian, who had the honor of selecting Aravind’s winning ticket. Apart from the Dh25 million jackpot, other participants won life-changing prizes. Harun Rashid, a Bangladeshi national in Saudi Arabia, claimed a BMW 840i, while several others won cash prizes ranging from Dh30,000 to Dh100,000. This December, Big Ticket is offering a Dh30-million grand prize alongside weekly cash draws and a Maserati Grecale giveaway. Participants purchasing two tickets for Dh1,000 in a single transaction are automatically entered into these draws. The next live draw is scheduled for January 3, 2025. ICA/Expat Media
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