News Desk
Abu Dhabi,– Move over Bollywood plots, because real life just scripted a blockbuster for two Indian expats who struck gold—or rather, Dirhams—in the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi weekly e-draw. Ramesh Dhanapalan and Rashid Puzhakara, both hailing from the spice-scented shores of Kerala, have nabbed a whopping 250,000 Dirhams (that’s ₹59,02,552 for those counting in rupees) each in the 272nd draw. And in true Indian style, they’re sharing the love—and the loot—with their pals.
Ramesh, a 49-year-old forklift operator and proud papa from Kerala, has been sweating it out in Oman for years. He’s no stranger to the Big Ticket game, faithfully tossing his hat (or at least his cash) into the ring for six years straight. Ramesh doesn’t roll solo—he’s part of not one, but two squads of 27 friends each, pooling their rupees and dreams every month. When the winning call came, he nearly dropped his forklift. “I was happier than a kid at a mango festival,” he laughed. “This isn’t just my win—it’s a high-five to all 54 of my buddies and their families. We’re basically the Avengers of lottery tickets now. My advice? Keep playing, because luck doesn’t care if you’re late to the party!”
Meanwhile, 36-year-old Rashid Puzhakara, a salesman grinding it out in Saudi Arabia for 15 years, joined the Big Ticket e-draw gang just six months ago. With his wife and kids back home in India, he teamed up with 20 mates to buy tickets every month—like a desi version of a WhatsApp group, but with better payouts. “I’m still pinching myself,” Rashid said, grinning ear to ear. “This isn’t just my jackpot—it’s a party for 20 families! We’re splitting it fair and square, and you bet I’m buying more tickets. Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice?”
India’s winning streak didn’t stop there—two Bangladeshi expats, MD Mozammal Hoque Bhuiyan Akterar Zaman Bhuiyan and Alamgir Hafezur Rahman, also snagged 250,000 Dirhams each in the same draw. But let’s be real: the spotlight’s on our Kerala boys, proving that teamwork and a little stubborn hope can turn a modest ticket into a life-changing crore.
For the uninitiated, Big Ticket Abu Dhabi is the Gulf’s favorite pastime—think of it as a lucky draw on steroids, with weekly e-draws dishing out 250,000 Dirhams to two winners and a monthly grand prize that could make even a maharaja blush. This February, one ticket holder will drive off into the sunset with 20 million Dirhams (roughly ₹47 crore—yes, you read that right). And if that’s not enough, car-crazy fans can score a Maserati Grecale on April 3 or a Range Rover Velar on March 3, because why settle for just cash when you can flex on the roads?
Want in on the action? Tickets are up for grabs online at the Big Ticket website or at Zayed International Airport and Al Ain Airport. It’s ₹500 well spent—or as Ramesh and Rashid would say, the price of a dream that might just come with a side of biryani.
So here’s to India’s lottery legends, showing the world that when desis dream big, they don’t just win—they win together. Pass the laddoos, please!
