Son’s birth month, year bring luck for Indian
Dh7m raffle winner says prize is a ‘godsend’
Indian expatriate Anil Varghese Theveril, who lives in Kuwait, had a feeling his son would give him luck. The 50-yearold was announced the winner of a Dh7 million Abu Dhabi Big Ticket raffle draw yesterday, after buying a ticket with the number 11/97 reflecting his son’s birth month and year. Theveril described the win as “a godsend” during an uncertain time.
“This came at the right time. It is a big support given by God!” said Theveril.
Currently waiting for his end-of-service benefit, Theveril said the firm he worked for was acquired by another company after 26 years of operation, leaving him and many others in a difficult position. The millionaire aims to start a business and put away some of his money for his son’s higher education.
An Indian expatriate in Kuwait who won Dh7 million in the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket raffle draw yesterday said it was a godsend during a crisis.
“The company I have been working [as an executive assistant] for past 26 years was taken over by another company and we have been going through an uncertain time,” Anil Varghese Theveril, 50, told Gulf News by phone from Kuwait.
He said he has been awaiting for the end-of-service benefit as promised by the employer during the ownership change of the company. “This came at the right time. It is a big support given by God!” said Theveril who is from the South Indian state of Kerala.
He had chosen a ticket number online, which represented his only son Rohit Varghese’s birthday that brought him luck. “I was looking for a number related to his birthday in November 1997 [11/97] for a while but I never found it online. When I saw a related number [Ticket Number 011197], I immediately grabbed it online. I always had a feeling that my son has an element of luck with him,” said Theveril who met with luck in his fourth attempt with a lottery.
He had purchased two tickets of Dubai Duty Free and one Abu Dhabi Big Ticket during the past two years. He said he was sure that he would win the lottery one day.
Theveril first called up his wife who works as a senior accountant with a travel agent in Kuwait to break the news. “She was damn cool, although I was very excited.”
His son has just completed his bachelor’s degree in commerce from a college in Kerala. “I just informed him without revealing the amount [which will be Rs127.05 million].”
He will set aside a part of the money for his son’s higher studies and charity. “I had a comfortable life and I was helping others within my limited means. I think that good deeds also contributed to this luck. I will continue doing such good things,” Theveril said.