Mr. Ratheesh Kumar Raveendrannair, a Dubai-based Indian national won a prize of a lifetime as Dubai Duty Free drew his lucky ticket number 1608 in Series 300 to win US$1 million in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion, which was held this morning in Concourse D, Dubai International Airport.

The 40-year old manager of a trading company purchased his winning ticket online on 2nd April. A resident of Dubai for a decade now, Mr Raveendrannair was understandably nervous and excited at the same time and said: “I’m speechless. I can’t believe that I have actually won after four years of buying. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free for this opportunity.”

With his new-found fortune, Mr Raveendrannair has some plans to travel with his wife and share some of his winnings to the needy.

Following the Millennium Millionaire, Dubai Duty Free also conducted the Finest Surprise to win two luxury vehicles.

First time ticket buyer Mr. Taku Nishikawa became a proud owner of a Mercedes Benz S560 (Diamond White) in Series 1721 with ticket number 1062. Mr. Nishikawa , a 27-year-old Japanese national, who works in a management consulting firm in Japan bought two tickets during his transit flight to Tokyo.

“It is my first time to participate in the Finest Surprise draw and I can’t believe that I just won - I’m so happy! Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free!”, exclaimed Mr. Nishikawa.

Another Indian national based in Dubai, Mr. Pankaj Agarwal won an Indian Scout Bobber (Thunder Black Smoke) motorcycle in Series 366 with ticket number 0820. Mr. Agarwal, a project manager at Q5 Arch Engineering Consultancy believes that his lucky number has worked this time after eight years of participating at the Finest Surprise Promotion.

Delighted at winning today, Mr Agarwal said: “I advise everyone to keep on trying. After 4 months of being jobless, I am truly thankful for this gift.”

Today’s draw was conducted by Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of Dubai Duty Free together with Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President-corporate Services and Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President – Marketing.