Dubai: Driver wins 1kg gold in draw on dad's death anniversary, calls it a 'blessing' from him

The fortunes of three lucky expats changed for good after winning Dh100,000 each in the 54th weekly live Mahzooz draw, while a 22-year-old Indian expat Akshay struck gold in the special one-off Golden Draw held as part of the 50th UAE National Day celebrations and took home 1kg of gold.

Reacting to the win, the Dubai resident said he believed the prize is a blessing from his late father who died of cancer: “The draw happened on the same day as my father’s first death anniversary. My dad was my pillar of strength and life’s hard without him. I think he sent this prize my way to make my life easier and reduce the burden of my responsibilities.”

Akshay moved to Dubai two years ago to work as a driver at a gas agency and support his mother, brother, and sister-in-law back in India. “I’ve always dreamt of clearing my family’s debts. This gold will help me do that as well as build a house and buy my mother a gold chain,” he says.

The weekly Mahzooz draw also saw three raffle draw winners win Dh100,000 each.

For Sharjah resident Imran, the prize money will allow him the independence he has always dreamed of: “This prize money is such a great boost to my savings. We live in a joint family household in India but now I can now buy an independent house for my wife and daughters. This win will also help me secure my daughters’ future education,” says the Indian sales project manager.

For Indian AC mechanic, Riju, and Filipino restaurant supervisor, Maria, the prize money will give them the ability to retire early and enjoy their time with family and loved ones.

Riju, 46, says: “I’ve been in the UAE for 15 years and I’ve been planning to wrap things up here and settle down in India next March. This prize money came into my life at the most opportune moment to facilitate my move and allow me the freedom to set up a business I can live off.”

While Riju was in a barbershop in Dubai when he received texts from his friend informing of his win, Maria was at home in Abu Dhabi recovering from a surgery when a couple of friends texted her saying she had won.

“When I checked my Mahzooz account and saw the winnings, I was so happy,” says the 48-year-old who has lived in the UAE for 23 years.

Entrants can participate in the draw by registering via www.mahzooz.ae and purchasing a bottle of water for Dh35.