Former Dubai Resident Wins $1M After 23-Year Wait
Gowda Ashok Gopal, a former Dubai resident for 23 years, patiently waited for 23 years to win the Dubai Duty Free (DDF) Millennium Millionaire grand prize of $1 million. Gopal, who bought the winning ticket online during DDF's 40th-anniversary celebration on December 20, shared his tradition of buying a ticket every year on the same date. Having witnessed DDF's first draw in 1999, Gopal never lost hope and attributed his win to the belief that his time would come. He expressed gratitude to other participants and plans to use his winnings for various endeavors, including charity work and renewable energy projects.
Gopal, residing in Mumbai and working as the R&D head for a multinational electronic solutions company, became the 222nd Indian national to win the $1 million prize since the promotion's inception in November 1999. Despite not visiting Dubai since leaving in 2015, Gopal remains connected to the city through news, friends, and family. His positive outlook and patience were evident as he never felt frustrated during the two decades of participating in the draw.
In addition to Gopal's win, another Ethiopian national, Hannan Mohamed Abdurehman, secured a $1 million prize in series 445 with ticket number 3386. Abdurehman, based in Ethiopia, purchased the winning ticket online on December 18. The organizers were initially unable to contact Abdurehman, marking the third Ethiopian winner in DDF's history.
Furthermore, Safeer Palliparamdil won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Diamond White) car in the Finest Surprise Series 1863, purchased on December 16. Palliparamdil, putting his four-year-old son Lahiz Mohammed's name on the ticket, celebrated his lucky charm. Mustafa Wali Mohammad, a 34-year-old Afghan national residing in Al Ain, won a Harley-Davidson Sportster S (White Sand Pearl) motorbike. Mohammad, a father of eight and an accounts manager for a transportation company in Al Ain, celebrated his victory.
The DDF Millennium Millionaire draw continues to create millionaires, with participants worldwide contributing to the prize pot. Gopal expressed his delight at joining the ranks of DDF millionaires and looks forward to visiting Dubai soon to collect his prize. The draw, initiated in 1999, has consistently offered participants the chance to win substantial prizes, fostering excitement and anticipation among those hoping to be the next lucky winner.
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By- Sahiba Suri
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