Indian engineer Saravanan Venkatachalam ignored the initial jackpot notification, learning of his win from his frantic wife and friends.
Abu Dhabi: In a moment of dramatic irony, an Indian expatriate missed the phone call informing him he had won Dh25 million because he was busy searching for his car. Saravanan Venkatachalam, a 44-year-old electrical engineer, dismissed the unknown landline number, only to have his life transformed minutes later through a cascade of calls from his elated wife and friends.
The winner of the Big Ticket jackpot for draw series 280 initially believed the news was an elaborate prank. “Even after hearing my name, I couldn’t believe it. There might be many people named Saravanan, I thought,” he said. The reality finally sank in after multiple confirmations, unlocking a new future for his family.
A Win for Family and Future
For Saravanan, a father of two young daughters aged 11 and 6, the monumental win translates directly into security and opportunity. His immediate priority is his children’s education.
“Their education is my top priority. This win means I can give them everything I had dreamed of,” he said. The windfall will also allow him to settle outstanding debts and financial commitments, offering a fresh start. “You come here because you have responsibilities. This win helps me clear my commitments and start fresh,” he added.
A Group Victory Six Years in the Making
Saravanan’s winning journey began six years ago, inspired by a former colleague’s prize. He became a regular participant, often pooling resources with a large group of 30-35 colleagues and ex-colleagues.
The fateful ticket (number 463221) was purchased online on October 30 during a promotional offer. His win of Dh25 million means a shared celebration, with each of the 25 members in his group set to receive approximately Dh1 million.
Since the announcement, Saravanan’s phone has been inundated with congratulatory calls from relatives and well-wishers. “I still can’t believe it actually happened to me,” he said, finally having found his car and a new path forward.
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