The winner of the Dh15 million Big Ticket has not yet spent his winnings; here’s why – News
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After the unexpected windfall, he decided not to spend much for the first six months.
Photo by Ashwani Kumar
Winning a lottery jackpot and becoming a millionaire overnight is a life-changing moment. However, bagging two big prizes from the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket and other draws has not changed Pradeep Kumar’s lifestyle.
In May this year, Kumar won Dh15 million, an amount he shared with his two other friends. And to date, apart from buying a car and hosting parties for his friend, the Abu Dhabi-based Indian expat has not splurged on anything else. After the unexpected windfall, he decided not to spend much for the first six months.
“My winning money is still in ICU,” laughed Kumar, a native of Kerala, during a meeting of the winners of the Big Ticket draw.
“I had seen many people spend lavishly and their lives spiraled out of control. I will spend but as necessary. “I’m not going to waste.”
Kumar has spent 36 years in the UAE and has been buying tickets for the last 25 years. And the investments made in purchasing tickets have been generously rewarded. In 1998, he won the Big Ticket grand prize and also got lucky a few times with the monthly Mashreq Bank draws.
“In 1998, while flying from Abu Dhabi airport, I saw the Big Ticket counter. Back then there was a ticket available for 100 dirhams. I had 120 dirhams with me. I bought a ticket and I won. From Mashreq, I earned smaller amounts, like Dh10,000 and Dh40,000.”
After working for 28 years in a state-owned company, he plans to spend his retirement days working in agriculture in his native place of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
“I like agriculture. I have got a place in Thiruvananthapuram. I wish to remain committed to my retired life. It would be the best activity to stay active. Afterwards, it will be up to my two sons whether they want to continue with the farm,” said Kumar, who plans to return to Kerala early next year.
Kumar, who attended the event with his wife Mini, will continue to purchase Big Tickets.
“I hope to win again. I will continue buying tickets even after moving to Kerala,” Kumar added.
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