12-9-crore-lottery-win-indian-man-s-big-plans-after-33-years-in-uae

Kishore Pandurang Rao, an Indian national who has lived in the UAE for more than 33 years, has won Dh5 million, approximately Rs 12.95 crore, in the UAE Lottery.

 

The Sharjah resident secured the second prize in the Lucky Day draw held on October 3, only a few days before his 60th birthday on October 8. He purchased the Dh50 ticket through the UAE Lottery platform and used the Easy Pick option to generate his numbers.

 

Rao matched all six numbers in the Days section and won the Dh5 million reward. He missed the Dh30 million jackpot by one number after the month's number came up as 10, which was not included in his ticket.

 

He said he initially mistook the email informing him about the result for a routine verification message. After later seeing his name mentioned online, he checked his lottery account and confirmed the win. Rao described himself as stunned and said he spent some time sitting quietly, unsure how to react.

 

Rao did not immediately tell his family about the result. He eventually shared the news with his wife, who was delighted, while the couple chose to keep the development within a small circle as they absorbed the unexpected change in their circumstances.

 

One of his main priorities is to bring his family closer together in the UAE. Having spent long periods away from his loved ones, he hopes the prize will give them more opportunities to live and spend time together.

 

Rao plans to help his elder son establish a business and support his younger son’s higher education. He said his wife and children had shared his difficulties and successes, making it important for him to share the benefits of the win with them.

 

The prize has also renewed Rao’s long-standing ambition to obtain a UAE Golden Visa. He said he had hoped for years to apply for one and now sees an opportunity to pursue that goal.

 

Rao moved to the UAE in 1993 and has lived in Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi during his time in the country. He now intends to continue living there while exploring new possibilities.

 

Travelling around the world with his wife is another plan he hopes to realise. He said she enjoys travelling and that he wants the two of them to visit different places together.

 

Rao also advised lottery participants to spend carefully and decide in advance how much they can afford to use for such purchases.