Kerala expat wins Dh20 million Big Ticket jackpot
His first priority is supporting close friend injured in Bahrain
DUBAI – A Bahrain-based Indian expatriate has struck it lucky in Abu Dhabi's latest Big Ticket draw, winning the Dh20 million grand prize after nearly seven years of regular participation.
Krishnakumar Syamala Ravindran, a 43-year-old businessman from the Indian state of Kerala, was announced as the winner during the June live draw on Wednesday. The life-changing prize came after years of purchasing tickets in the hope of securing a better future for himself and his family.
Despite becoming an overnight multimillionaire, Ravindran said his immediate thoughts were not focused on personal spending. Instead, he is looking at ways to help a close friend who has been in a coma for the past three months following a serious accident in Bahrain.
Big Ticket live draw
The moment of victory nearly passed him by after Big Ticket organisers were unable to reach him during the live draw.
According to Ravindran, his Bahrain phone number was switched off because he was in the UAE and the number was not on roaming. The organisers initially failed to contact him, leaving him unaware that his ticket number 339729 had been selected as the winner of the Dh20 million jackpot.
The news eventually reached him through WhatsApp on his Indian number.
“I was in complete shock,” Ravindran said, recalling the moment he discovered he had won. “I was literally shaking and still find it hard to believe.”
He had travelled to Abu Dhabi with his family on May 27 and purchased the winning ticket during the visit.
Friend first
While many jackpot winners immediately begin planning major purchases, Ravindran's attention remains firmly on a long-time friend from Karnataka who suffered a severe head injury after falling down a staircase in Bahrain.
The friend has remained in a medical centre in Bahrain for three months, and Ravindran said witnessing the situation has been emotionally challenging.
With the unexpected windfall, he now hopes to arrange further treatment in India, where the friend could be closer to family support. He said helping his friend was the first thing that came to mind after learning of the win.
The two have known each other for nearly eight years and have maintained a close friendship throughout that time.
Years of hope
Ravindran has been participating in Big Ticket draws since around 2019, buying two or three tickets almost every month. Over the years, he alternated between entering independently and pooling purchases with friends and colleagues.
This time, however, the winning ticket was purchased with his sister, meaning the Dh20 million prize will be shared equally between them.
He said he has yet to decide how the remaining money will be used and plans to discuss future financial decisions with his family.
Reflecting on his journey, Ravindran encouraged others to remain positive and persistent. He said he began participating in the draw with the hope of creating better opportunities for himself and his loved ones, and believes perseverance played a key role in his eventual success.
The same Big Ticket draw also saw participant MD Ranu Miah win a brand-new Range Rover Velar, adding another major prize to the evening's celebrations.