An Indian expatriate's unwavering hope has finally paid off in the United Arab Emirates. Basheer Kaipurath, a 57-year-old driver from Kerala, has won a significant prize of Dh100,000 (approximately ₹24 lakh) in the popular Big Ticket electronic draw in Dubai. This moment of fortune comes after he spent more than two decades working behind the wheel in the city and a dedicated two-year streak of purchasing lottery tickets.
A Long-Awaited Dream Realized
Basheer Kaipurath has been a resident of the UAE for a remarkable 25 years. For over twenty of those years, he worked diligently as a driver in Dubai. His belief in a lucky break led him to buy Big Ticket entries consistently every month for the last two years. His persistence was rewarded when ticket number 276640 turned out to be the winning entry in last month's draw.
Shock and Disbelief Turn to Joy
The life-changing news was delivered by Big Ticket show host Richard in a surprise phone call. Basheer's initial reaction was one of pure astonishment. Unsure if he had heard correctly, he questioned, “Dh100,000? I have won?” Even after confirmation, he repeated the words in disbelief, “Yes, I bought a Big Ticket. Dh100,000, eh?”
As the reality of his windfall settled in, his hesitation melted away into pure happiness. His simple yet heartfelt response was, “Okay, thank you. I am very happy.”
Plans for the Prize and Future Hopes
Basheer has clear intentions for his winnings. He plans to use a portion of the Dh100,000 prize to support his family back home in India. Demonstrating his enduring optimism, the driver confirmed that he will continue to participate in the Big Ticket draws, hopeful that more good fortune might come his way in the future.
A Year of Major Wins for Indian Expatriates
This announcement follows another massive lottery win by an Indian national in the UAE just months earlier. On October 18, during the 23rd Lucky Day event, a historic jackpot worth ₹240 crore was won. The record-breaking prize, the UAE's biggest-ever lottery win, was claimed by 29-year-old Anilkumar Bolla Madhavrao Bolla.
Bolla, who had been living in the UAE for about a year and a half at the time, beat staggering odds of more than 1 in 8.8 million. His winning combination was jackpot number 251018, which successfully matched all seven numbers. Reacting to his win, Bolla said he was “in shock.” He told TOI that his immediate plans included buying a supercar and treating himself to a month-long stay at a seven-star hotel.
The stories of Basheer and Bolla highlight the dreams and fortunes that unfold within the Indian expatriate community in the Gulf, where persistence and a stroke of luck can rewrite destinies.
