The key facts
- Govindan Nair from Kerala won $1 million with ticket No. 3159, bought online on 20 October
- He has been taking part in the draw since 1999 and became the 286th Indian winner
- Winners of the Finest Surprise motorcycle draws — nationals of Jordan and India — were also announced
A million dollars after a quarter-century of waiting
62-year-old Indian entrepreneur Govindan Nair, originally from the state of Kerala, has won $1 million in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Series 562 draw. According to The National, he has lived in Dubai for more than three decades and owns a textile and garment factory in the Bur Dubai area. He bought the winning ticket, number 3159, online on 20 October. Nair has been taking part in the draw since its launch in 1999 — that is, for more than 25 years. “Thank you, Dubai Duty Free, for this wonderful news! I can't believe I've finally won!” the publication quotes the winner as saying. Asked about his plans for the money, he said he intends to invest it in his business. Nair is a father of two and the 286th Indian citizen to win a million dollars in the Millennium Millionaire; according to the publication, Indians are the largest group of ticket buyers.
Two more winners in the motorcycle draws
At the same time, the winners of the Finest Surprise promotion, which features luxury motorcycles, were announced. 36-year-old Jordanian Rami Mohammed Amer Alhatib, who has lived in Sharjah for 12 years and works as a brand manager at a UAE exchange company, won a BMW S 1000 R in series 683 with ticket No. 1191, bought online on 8 October; he purchased four tickets and has been taking part in the promotion since 2019. In series 684, a Harley-Davidson Sportster S went to Abhilash Padmanabhan, an Indian national living in the UAE, with ticket No. 1024, bought online on 21 October.
The winners' announcement coincided with Diwali celebrations
The winners were announced on the days when Dubai Duty Free was celebrating Diwali at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport. The Consul General of India in the emirate, Dr Ammadi Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, attended the event; the programme included a ceremonial lighting of electric diyas, a traditional Indian dance and a cake cutting. Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi described the annual celebration as part of the company's recognition of the diversity of nationalities and cultures among its customers and staff. He also cited figures: nearly 1,000 Indian citizens work at the company, and Indian passengers account for 13 to 14 percent of its business.
