Lifestyle
Want to be a millionaire in the UAE? Punch the Big Ticket to a new life
Published
2 years agoon
Abu Dhabi’s Big Ticket lottery draw is the oldest, tried and still trusted, and hence ruling roost despite emerging competition, the hosts of the draw have said at an event in Dubai.
Still going with their first names, Richard and Bouchra, introduced four winners from different backgrounds and for different amounts in front of some media representatives at One Life Cafe on Wednesday in an effort to reach out to the masses.
![Big-Ticket-lottery-draw](http://headline.ae/wp-content/uploads/Big-Ticket-Abu-Dhabi-Breakfast-Event-2-1.jpg)
Richard, left, and Bouchra host Abu Dhabi’s Big Ticket draw on the third of each month. Photos Red Havas ME
“We are the oldest one; we are the only one that never changed our format; we are transparent and we declare our prizes at the start of it and irrespective of how many tickets are sold we give away the prize – guaranteed – in full view of everyone; and there is no rollover,” says Richard. “We get a winner regardless of anything from the name picked out of the drum (of tickets) in front of you, all secured and audited for.”
Originally conducted by the Abu Dhabi Airport Company, the Big Ticket moved under the aegis of Abu Dhabi Duty Free, a similar branding as their counterparts in Dubai.
There is no denying the fact that the Big Ticket has had to evolve a bit going with competition with Mahzooz and Emirates Draw coming in with their own varying formats.
However, with varying amounts each month, Big Ticket has changed lives of thousands with many people clubbing together in the hope to punch the big ticket to fulfil their dreams. This year alone, Big Ticket awarded 60 cash prize winners, whose winnings equate to a total prize value of over AED110 million.
“We are indeed privileged to be life-changers for many and it is such a satisfying job,” says Bouchra. Both hosts had plenty of anecdotes to share of people’s reactions and disbelief. There have been instances when Big Ticket had to go out of the way and spread out messages in public for the winners to get in touch.
“In the rare occurrence that we don’t find the winner – it has happened for the lesser prizes only – we wait for six months before giving it to charity,” a marketing official explained without being named because he was not authorised to speak.
The experiences of the winners gathered separately vouched for the efforts of Big Ticket as they shared their initial feeling of numbness and reality sinking in late for couple of them.
There were inspiring stories of Leena Jalal, Jacob Roy, Shahid Mahmood, and Safwan Nizameddin, a passport holder of St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean.
Congratulations to The Fantastic 15 Million Series 241 winners!
Visit https://t.co/NonDNCmHwQ for the complete list of winners.#BigTicketAbuDhabi #BigTicket pic.twitter.com/BBUeJUePmW— Big Ticket Abu Dhabi (@BigTicketAD) July 3, 2022
“They say that Big Ticket only favours only one or two nationalities, but I am testimony to the fact that it is for everyone. One should have the belief,” said Nizameddin, the oldest of the four but the latest grand prize winner.
Lives changed
Leena, an Indian expat currently residing in Abu Dhabi, shared that she bought the ticket only days prior to the draw with many of her colleagues and friends, and was the luckiest one whose name was chosen after months of trying. Leena seeks to make a difference, just like Big Ticket, and is currently in talks with local charities to donate a percentage of her winnings, while the remaining amount will go towards supporting her family back home.
Jacob, another Indian expat residing in Abu Dhabi since 1990, discussed his commitment to a group of 12 friends that have been pitching in to purchase Big Ticket raffles on a monthly basis, for five years. He won Dh300,000 representing a group of buyers. “I tell others, consider buying the ticket as a job. We are all here as expats to change our lives and BT can do that for us. I and few others also chip in with extra if we have to make up the necessary amount at times.”
Shahid Mahmood is a Dubai-based Pakistani employee working at a glass installation company. After five years of buying BT raffles every month, Shahid received the winning phone call that made his and his friend’s dreams come true with a Dh15m purse.
Four Big Ticket winners and the event emcee Lekha Menon in Dubai. From left: Ms Menon, Leena Jalal, Shahid Mahmood, Jacob Roy and Safwan Nizameddin shared their experiences
A longtime resident of Abu Dhabi, Nizameddin has been purchasing tickets every month for the past two years. When the call came, Safwan says his sixth sense kicked in and he instinctually knew he had finally won. The executive manager of a company specializing in power generation is a family man at heart. He plans to use his winnings to purchase properties for his three children as an investment in their future and some for charity.
On a side note, regular buyers of Big Ticket have been curious to know the logic behind different prize amounts each month. Having started at one million dirhams, the highest on offer has been Dh25m although it 10-20 is the common range. Initially, Richard said “the idea behind it is to give it fresh a look, I guess”, but when prodded further, he conceded he wasn’t sure and never checked with his employers.
Nonetheless, the prizes given out on the third of each month remain substantial and undoubtedly have changed many lives.
Journalist for 25 years with leading publications in India and UAE such as The National, Mumbai Mirror, DNA, Indian Express and former Sports Editor of eIndia.com. Now managing editor of Headline.ae, part of MEMc (https://www.memc.co)
Announcements
Privacy and Comfort: Inside Sharjah’s newly announced women’s beach retreat
Published
2 weeks agoon
August 24, 2024By
SudhashreeA new beach, only for women, has been announced in Sharjah under the orders of the emirate’s ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. The 500-meter beach is located in the Lulu’iya area of Khorfakkan and will offer complete privacy for women. The beach will also have other amenities like a cafe, a medical clinic, and a prayer room.
Sharjah Ruler directs allocation of beach for women in Khorfakkan's Al Luluyah area#WamNews https://t.co/CrZULIUb3E pic.twitter.com/YmyKgyHxbj
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) August 22, 2024
Other than this beach, Sharjah has the Sharjah Ladies Club beach and in 2023, Sheikh Dr Sultan announced the development of women’s only beaches in Kalba and at Al Hamariya Beach. In May this year, the Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed launched the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which includes designating new beaches for only women.
In further orders, the Sharjah Ruler directed the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking Al Bardi 6 and Al Batha areas in Khorfakkan city.
Speaking on the Sharjah’s Direct Line radio programme, Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, Chairman of RTA Sharjah said that the new bridge will help the movement of residents between the two areas.
He also said the RTA will implement modifications to the internal roads in the Hayawa area.
Announcements
Adventure alert: Hatta unveils UAE’s longest mountain trails
Published
2 weeks agoon
August 24, 2024By
SudhashreeDubai Municipality has completed the development of the UAE’s longest mountain trails, which features 21 cycling routes spanning 53 kilometres, 17 walking trails across 33 kilometres, 9 wooden bridges and 14 rest stops and service facilities.
The Hatta Mountain Trails are one of various projects being implemented by Dubai Municipality to establish Hatta as a leading tourist destination in the region.
The trails are divided into four colour-coded levels of difficulty: Green – with four tracks for cycling and four for walking; Blue – with six tracks for cycling and three for walking; Red – with eight routes for cycling and six for walking; and finally, Black – with three trails for cycling and four for walking.
.@DMunicipality completes development of the #UAE’s longest mountain trails, which features 21 cycling routes spanning 53 km, 17 walking trails across 33 km, 9 wooden bridges and 14 rest stops and service facilities. #Dubai https://t.co/Hsr2EwOdxs pic.twitter.com/R0Rq386gij
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 22, 2024
During the project’s first phase, Dubai Municipality implemented a comprehensive development plan in a record time of 10 months. This involved the expansion and maintenance of existing hiking and mountain bike trails and stabilising the soil in areas to improve the experience for visitors using the trails.
Comprehensive maintenance was also carried out on all existing bridges, with damaged ones replaced.
The second phase included constructing rest stops and service facilities along trails and other locations and installing 176 signposts and 650 directional signs to help cyclists enjoy a safe and distinctive experience on the Hatta Mountain Trails.
The Hatta Mountain Trails pass through a variety of different terrains and landscapes, including rocky paths, mountainous areas, rugged peaks and valleys, offering panoramic views and the opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities to enjoy Hatta’s unique natural beauty.
Announcements
Burjuman or Union ? RTA reveals Dubai’s busiest metro station
Published
4 weeks agoon
August 12, 2024By
SudhashreeThe Dubai Metro was the top choice of public transport in the emirate, accounting for 37 per cent of all commuters in the first half of 2024. Overall public transport ridership clocked 361.2 million in the first six months of the year — a 6 per cent increase over the same period in 2023. BurJuman and Union stations saw the highest number of passengers, with BurJuman recording 7.8 million users and Union station 6.3 million users.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) counts Metro, Tram, public buses, marine transport, taxis, e-hail vehicles, smart rental vehicles, and on-demand buses while computing public transport ridership numbers. BurJuman and Union stations saw the highest number of passengers, with BurJuman recording 7.8 million users and Union station 6.3 million users.
#RTA announced that the number of users of public transport and shared mobility in Dubai—including Metro, Tram, public buses, marine transport, Taxis, e-hail vehicles, smart rental vehicles, and on-demand buses—reached about 361.2 million in the first half of 2024. This… pic.twitter.com/nirGThtXOT
— RTA (@rta_dubai) August 11, 2024
Announcing these figures on Sunday, theDubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said the number of users of public transport and shared mobility means in Dubai, including Metro, Tram, public buses, marine transport, taxis, e-hail vehicles, smart rental vehicles, and on-demand buses—reached saw a six per cent increase compared to around 340.5 million users in the first half of 2023. The daily average number of riders in the first half of this year reached 1.98 million, compared to 1.88 million in the same period in 2023.
His excellency Mattar Al Tayer, director general, chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA said the authority plans to improve public transport even further. He said: “RTA’s strategic and operational plans are based on achieving multi-modal integration of all public transport and shared mobility means to ensure smooth mobility across Dubai. This included developing and expanding road networks and all elements of public transport — metro, tram, buses, marine transport, first and last-mile solutions, and shared mobility— along with an enhanced and integrated pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
“The RTA also focuses on traffic management systems to maximise the efficiency of roads and public transport and implements policies to encourage the public to reduce reliance on private vehicles and increase the use of public and shared transport,” the RTA chief added.