Two Indian Expats Win $1 Million Each in Dubai Draw
Two Indian expatriates have struck gold in the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw, with each walking away with a staggering $1 million (Dh3.67 million). The winners, Bhanu Sobhani and Saravanan Malairaj, represent the 283rd and 284th Indian winners since the promotion was first launched in 1999.
A Textile Owner’s Lucky Investment
Bhanu Sobhani, a 40-year-old textile factory owner based in Bur Dubai, has lived in the UAE for 10 years. His life changed after purchasing ticket number 0489, Series 557, at Concourse B on September 2 while traveling to Poland.
Despite being a successful businessman who owns four villas and has two daughters, Sobhani revealed that his wife had previously been skeptical of his ticket purchases. He, however, always maintained that buying the tickets was a form of investment.
With his new fortune, Sobhani plans to:
- Allocate funds toward fixed deposits.
- Expand his real estate investments.
- Make donations to a temple in India.
From Shop Worker to Millionaire
For Saravanan Malairaj, the win provides a massive boost to his family's future. A 36-year-old shop worker in Abu Dhabi, Malairaj moved from Chennai 17 years ago and currently earns a monthly salary of Dh8,000.
The father of four-year-old twins has previously made significant personal sacrifices, including selling family land to fund his sister's marriage. This windfall will allow him to focus on his children and his entrepreneurial ambitions in his home country.
Malairaj intends to use the $1 million to:
- Secure his children's education.
- Open a new shop in Tamil Nadu, India.
Regional Context
These individual success stories come at a time when the rights of migrant workers remain a significant topic of discussion across the region. Recently, community groups in Qatar have signed new pacts aimed at worker protection, while reports regarding labor issues in Oman continue to draw attention.