Kerala man working as driver in Dubai wins ₹24 lakh lottery after 25 years abroad
A 57-year-old Indian driver in Dubai has won Dh100,000 (around ₹24 lakh) in the Big Ticket e-draw after living in the UAE or 25 years.
After spending more than two decades behind the wheel in Dubai, a long-time Indian expat driver’s patience and perseverance have finally paid off. Basheer Kaipurath, a 57-year-old Keralite who has lived in Dubai for the past 25 years, has won Dh100,000 (around ₹24 lakh) in the Big Ticket e-draw.

According to a report by Gulf News, Basheer struck gold with ticket number 276640. For the past 2 years, he has been consistently purchasing Big Ticket entries every month, hoping that one day his turn would come. That moment finally arrived last month.
When the show host Richard called to inform him of the win, Basheer sounded stunned and unsure. “Dh100,000? I have won?” he asked in disbelief. Even after confirmation, he repeated, almost to reassure himself: “Yes, I bought a Big Ticket. Dh100,000, eh?”
Once the news sank in, joy quickly replaced hesitation. “Okay, thank you. I am very happy,” he said.
Basheer said he plans to use a portion of the prize money to support his family back home in India. He also intends to keep participating in the Big Ticket draws, optimistic about more luck coming his way.
(Also Read: Kerala nurse in UAE wins ₹24 lakh lottery prize after 5 years of waiting: ‘Delighted to learn I had won’)
UAE's record ₹240 crore lottery winner
Notably, the latest win comes months after another major Middle East lottery story, when a 29-year-old Indian man won the UAE’s record ₹240-crore lottery, the largest prize ever awarded in the country. The draw was held on October 18 as part of the 23rd Lucky Day event, where the man beat odds of over 1 in 8.8 million to secure the historic win.
The winner, identified as Anilkumar Bolla Madhavrao Bolla, described being “in shock” after learning of the life-changing jackpot.
ABOUT THE AUTHORBhavya SukhejaBhavya Sukheja is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 6 years of experience in digital journalism. She specialises in covering stories that reflect everyday human experiences, with a focus on viral videos, social media trends, and human-interest features that inform readers while sparking meaningful conversations. She loves chasing page views and finding stories that tug at readers’ heartstrings. Known for her strong news sense, Bhavya has a keen ability to spot emerging trends and craft angles that transform viral moments into impactful narratives. Her coverage spans pop culture, entertainment, global affairs, and the internet’s most talked-about topics, helping readers better understand the context behind what is trending online. Before joining Hindustan Times, Bhavya worked with Republic World and NDTV, where she developed her skills in real-time reporting and digital storytelling. Working in fast-paced newsrooms helped her build an editorial approach that prioritises accuracy, clarity, and audience engagement. Bhavya is driven by a curiosity about how people communicate and connect in the digital age. She is particularly interested in stories that highlight cultural shifts, shared emotions, and the evolving nature of online conversations. When she is not tracking trends or producing stories, Bhavya enjoys unplugging and spending time with her cat.Read More

E-Paper













