Indian Expat Wins Dh5 Million Lottery, Decides to Stay in UAE with Family
Kishore Pandurang Rao wins Dh5 million in UAE Lottery and changes plans to return to India, opting to bring his family to the UAE.
Kishore Pandurang Rao, an Indian expatriate who has lived in the UAE since 1993, has decided to remain in the country after winning Dh5 million in the UAE Lottery. This unexpected win came just five days before his 60th birthday on October 8, altering his initial plan to return to India after more than 30 years in the UAE.
Rao had prepared to leave the UAE in October, informing his wife that it would be his final month in the country. However, the lottery victory prompted a change in his plans. "October is a new beginning for me," he said during a conversation with former Australian cricketer Brett Lee, who is the Chief Celebrations Officer of The UAE Lottery.
Initially, Rao did not realise he had won the prize. He almost missed the notification email from The UAE Lottery and only checked his account later, where he was shocked to see the Dh5 million prize. He kept the news to himself for three days before sharing it with his wife. Rao described his reaction: "It took me a long time to believe that I would actually win. I have worked for 30 years, and I still can't believe my luck. This is a big win for me."
Beyond the financial gain, Rao’s decision to stay in the UAE means he plans to bring his family to join him. He had been preparing to leave but now intends to settle in the country he has called home for decades. The UAE Lottery noted that the win also opens opportunities for family reunions and international travel.
During his discussion with Brett Lee, Rao and Lee found a unique connection, both sharing birthdays on the eighth day of their respective birth months. Lee greeted Rao in Hindi, and they discussed the impact of the lottery win on Rao’s life. Rao acknowledged that accepting the win was initially difficult after years of hard work, but his plans have now shifted significantly.
Instead of departing the UAE, Kishore Pandurang Rao is preparing to welcome his family and continue his life in the country where he has spent most of his adult life.