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Indian shocked at winning $1 million in Dubai raffle, forgets ticket in Kerala

Dubai - He will be flying to Kerala to get the actual ticket which he forgot to bring back on his last visit.

An Indian accountant won $1 million, while four others drove away luxury vehicles when their winning ticket numbers were drawn today, in Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions held at Concourse B - Terminal 3 in Dubai International Airport.

Muhamed Aslam Arayilakath, a 31 year old Indian national based in Sharjah, became the latest $1 million winner in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion in Series no. 294 with ticket no. 0369.
A Sharjah resident for 12 years, is an accountant for Emirates National Factory for Plastic Industry.

A long-time participant to Dubai Duty Free promotions for seven years now, Arayilakath bought his winning ticket at The Irish Village Shop earlier this month and couldn't believe his luck: "I am literally shaking right now, and this doesn't sound surreal!" Arayikalath was speechless, but thanked Duty Free: "Thank you Dubai Duty Free."

Arayilakath is the 139th Indian national to have won $1 million since its inception in 1999. He will be flying to Kerala tomorrow to get the actual ticket which he forgot to bring back on his last visit.

The draw was conducted by Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Ramesh Cidambi, Chief Operating Officer and Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President - Marketing.

Furthermore, a Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw for two luxury cars and two motorbikes were conducted directly after the Millennium Millionaire.

John Kurien John, a 56 year Indian national based in Dubai won an Audi R8 RWS V10 Coupe (Daytona Grey) in Series no. 1710 with ticket number 0457. John, a Director and part owner of Motherlines Shipping Company bought his winning ticket on his way to Kerala for the New Year.
A regular participant to Dubai Duty Free promotion for 15 years, John commented, "Thank you very much Dubai Duty Free! I have tried several times but no luck and I am glad that I finally got it!"

Another car winner, Hirohito Murai, a Japanese national from Kyoto won a Mercedes Benz S560 (Diamond White) in Series no. 1711 with ticket number 0981. Murai could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Gifanny Banal, a Filipino national based in Dubai won an Indian Chief Vintage (Willow Green & Ivory) motorbike in Series no. 358 with ticket number 0625. She, too, was not available for comment.

Bangara Manjeshwar Abdulla, a 55 year old Indian national in Sharjah won a BMW R Nine T (Black) motorbike in Series no. 359 with ticket number 0599. Abdulla, a long-time resident of Sharjah was delighted of his win and said: "Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this great surprise!"