A Chennai-based Indian national has become the latest addition to the growing list of Indian millionaires after being announced as a winner in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, held today at Concourse D of Dubai International Airport.

Mr. Selvaraj Vijayananth, a 50-year-old Indian national based in Chennai, India became a US$1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 524 with ticket number 1346 which he purchased online on 13th November.

A regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion for over 15 years, Mr. Vijayananth is a father of one and works as senior engineering manager for a software company in Chennai.

“Your promotion has clearly earned the trust of many, and I can see why. Winning has always been a dream of mine and now that it has finally come true, I am deeply grateful. Thank you Dubai Duty Free,” he said.

Mr. Vijayananth is the 266th Indian national to have won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion, with Indian nationals being by far the biggest purchasers of tickets.

Today’s draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, Salah Tahlak, Deputy Managing Director, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR, Michael Schdmit, SVP – Retail, Mohamad Al Khaja, VP – Retail Support, Salim Dahman, Senior Manager – Marketing, Fatma Al Fardan, Senior Manager – Purchasing, Khalid Saleh, Senior Manager – Loss Prevention & Corporate Security, Nasser Al Jasmi, Senior Manager – Exchange Bureau and Salim Ibrahim, Senior Manager- Retail Sales.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, a presentation to the previous Millennium Millionaire Series 522 winner was conducted.

Mr. Atul Dinkar Rao, an Indian national based in Dubai, won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire Series 522 with ticket number 2242, becoming the 264th Indian national to win the Millennium Millionaire promotion since its inception in 1999.

Mr. Rao received his ceremonial cheque from Dubai Duty Free senior management team and commented, “I feel grateful and thankful for this win. I have always had faith and participated in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for a long time, and I believe even more now that this validation has come.”

Following the Millennium Millionaire presentation, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury motorbikes.

Mr. Samer El Achkar, a 58-year-old Lebanese national based in Dubai won a BBMW F 900 GS (Sao Paulo Yellow) motorbike with ticket number 0764 in the Finest Surprise Series 645 which he purchased on 4th November at the DDF Concierge desk in the Emirates Business Class Lounge, Concourse A.

A resident of Dubai since 1991, Mr. Achkar, who has been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for over 20 years now, runs an office furniture business in Dubai.

“Thank you very much Dubai Duty Free. I really appreciate this win,” he said.

Lastly, Mr. Jaya Devan, a 38-year-old Indian national based in Ras Al Khaimah won a BMW S 1000 XR (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 0629 in the Finest Surprise Series 646 which he purchased online on 7th November.

A resident of Ras Al Khaimah for 7 years, Mr. Devan, who has been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for over a year now, is working as a storekeeper for a cigarettes manufacturing company in Ras Al Khaimah.

“I’m still in disbelief but feeling lucky. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free,” he said.