After clinching the Dh100 million, the largest prize in UAE Draw history, Chennai’s Sriram Rajagopalan penned a heartfelt letter. It wasn’t about wealth or luxury, but gratitude and his mother’s joyous smile.
“When I received your call, my world paused,” he expressed to Emirates Draw. “My hands trembled, my heart raced, and it felt like time had stopped.”
The retired engineer, who returned to India in 2023 after years in Saudi Arabia, picked numbers on his phone with his eyes closed.
Stay informed with the latest updates. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
On March 16, during the MEGA7 game, those numbers made him a multimillionaire overnight.
In his emotional letter, Sriram revealed the win’s true value: “My 88-year-old mother, who had always seemed weary, now beams with happiness.”
Raised in a modest household, Sriram worked abroad for years to support his family. Many sacrifices were made, dreams delayed, until a life-altering moment arrived.
“No more sleepless nights filled with worry,” he wrote. “No more sacrificing dreams for survival.” He describes the jackpot as a chance to build generational wealth and plans to donate part of his winnings to charity.
“You haven’t just changed my life; you’ve given me a new one,” he concluded, signing the letter as ‘Dear Millionaire,’ the name he was called during the memorable phone call.
Screenshot from Emirates Draw/Instagram
For Sriram, wealth was secondary to seeing his mother smile, a moment he treasures above all riches.
Watch Sriram’s letter to Emirates Draw:
Managed by Tycheros, Emirates Draw paused UAE operations at 2023’s end due to CGRA regulatory updates, shifting focus internationally.
Like Sriram, other winners reflect on their mega win’s impact and future plans.
From driver to millionaire
Pakistani expat Junaid Rana’s life changed in October 2021 after winning Dh50 million in the Mahzooz draw. Once a driver earning Dh6,000 monthly, he used his winnings to reunite his family in Dubai, invest at home, and fulfill dreams like buying his dream car and securing his brother’s future.
Free ticket, Dh25 million windfall
Sharjah-based Indian Aravind Appukuttan, a salesperson, won Dh25 million in December 2023’s Big Ticket draw with a free ticket. Sharing his prize with 20 friends, Aravind called it a dream come true and encouraged others to keep dreaming.
“I’ll pay off loans and save the rest,” he said.
