UAE
Multiple Indian Winners Strike Big in UAE Big Ticket Draws; Five Other Indians Strike Gold: It has been a remarkable period of fortune for the Indian diaspora across the Gulf, with multiple winners emerging from recent Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draws, including a Dh20 million grand prize winner, a Dh15 million jackpot recipient, and several gold prize winners.
Leading the headlines is Shamon Shaji, an Indian national from Kerala, who won Dh20 million in the latest live draw with ticket number 229425. The 32-year-old entrepreneur, currently visiting Dubai with his family, was overwhelmed as his wife—already watching the live stream—received the confirmation call. The couple, who had been participating for just three months, described the moment as surreal and unforgettable.
Adding to the wave of Indian success, Shanthanu Shettigar, an Indian expatriate from Karnataka working in Muscat, Oman, secured another Dh20 million jackpot in a recent Series 283 draw with ticket number 305810. Having purchased the ticket on January 20, Shettigar received the life-changing news during the live draw via a direct call from organisers.
In another inspiring story of persistence, Vibeesh Palliyali, a Sharjah-based pickup driver, won the Dh15 million jackpot after consistently buying tickets every month for 15 years. Palliyali was on duty with a transport company when he received the call that changed his life. Sharing the prize with three others, his individual share amounts to approximately Dh4 million (nearly Rs 10 crore), which he plans to use to return to India and settle down.
The celebrations extended further, with five additional Indians winning 200-gram 24-karat gold bars in the same draw. The winners include Mohammed Shakil, Rajopal Chandran, Karthikkumar Kaliyaperumal, Mohammed Maqdoum, and Soloman Raja.
These consecutive wins highlight the strong participation and extraordinary luck of Indians across the Gulf region, particularly from states like Kerala and Karnataka. From first-time participants to long-term hopefuls, these stories reflect dreams realized—bringing joy not only to the winners but also to millions who continue to try their luck in pursuit of a better future.
