Four Indian expats, including office boy, win 200gm gold bars in Big Ticket draw

Big Ticket announced on Monday that Aruna Krishnappa Kidiyoor, Jijoy Viswan, Sadathulla Sharief and freelancer Manisha Harshal Kasat were the winners. The gold bars are worth approximately Dh96,500 each at prevailing market rates.

Unexpected win for long-time participant

Aruna said the win came as a surprise. He has bought Big Ticket tickets for some time, but only in the past four months did he start playing regularly with a group of friends. “I was so happy and surprised when I found out I had won,” he said.

The 45-year-old has not yet decided how to use his share of the prize and is still processing the news. He urged others to keep trying their luck and never lose hope.

Freelancer’s solo attempt pays off

Manisha, a 30-year-old freelancer originally from Mumbai, has lived in Sharjah for more than a decade. She has taken part in Big Ticket for the past three years, buying tickets every month and occasionally joining others. This time she decided to try her luck alone.

When she received the winning call, she experienced a mix of emotions and happiness. She has not decided how to use the prize money but confirmed she will continue playing in future draws. “Never lose hope. One day, you might just get lucky!” she said.

Contractor shares joy with group

Jijoy, a 51-year-old expat from Kerala, has lived in Sharjah since 2007 and works in the contracting industry. His family remains in India. He has bought tickets every month as part of a group of five to ten people, and his persistence finally paid off.

He was unaware of the e-draw and was surprised when the Big Ticket team contacted him. He then checked the website to confirm his win, turning an ordinary moment into an unforgettable one. He plans to share the winnings with his group, save the remainder and use it to support his wife and children. He encouraged others to stay positive and keep trying. “We love purchasing Big Ticket every month, and I would like to thank the Big Ticket team for their continued support,” he said.

Civil engineer’s airport discovery

Sadathulla, a 51-year-old civil engineer from Bangalore, has lived in Dubai for the past year. His Big Ticket journey began at the airport, where he first encountered the draw. Since then, he has bought tickets both in-store and online whenever he decides to try his luck.

“I was extremely excited when I received the news. I honestly couldn’t believe my luck. It was such a wonderful surprise!” he said. He has not yet decided how to use his prize money, but the win has not changed his plans to keep taking part in Big Ticket. His message to others hoping to win is short and simple: “Trust your luck.”