Kishore Pandurang Rao with his token cheque for Dh5 million in The UAE Lottery.
An Indian expat who has called the UAE home for more than three decades received an extraordinary birthday surprise when he won Dh5 million in The UAE Lottery just five days before turning 60.
Kishore Pandurang Rao, a Sharjah resident who first arrived in the UAE in 1993, matched all six numbers in the Days section of the Lucky Day game in the October 3, 2026, draw. His winning ticket cost Dh50 and was generated using the platform’s Easy Pick option.
His 60th birthday fell on October 8, giving him two major milestones to celebrate within the same week.
But for Kishore, the prize means more than a birthday windfall. It opens up possibilities he has been thinking about for years, including applying for a UAE Golden Visa and bringing his family closer together.
“I always hoped that one day I would get a Golden Visa. I kept thinking that one day I’d get one. Now I have a chance to apply for a Golden Visa, and that’s something I’d really like. I always tell my friends that one day I’ll look into getting one,” he said.
Kishore initially kept the news of his win to himself. His wife was the first person he eventually told, and the couple decided to share the news with only a small circle while they took in the life-changing moment.
After spending extended periods living apart from loved ones, he hopes the money will help him bring his family together in the UAE and spend more time with them.
“Especially my wife,” he said when asked who he most wanted to share the moment with. “Together, we share our ups and downs. Now this opportunity has come, so I have to share it with her, and with my children.”
Having lived in Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi over the years, Kishore is also looking forward to a new chapter in his life. One of his personal ambitions is to travel the world with his wife, who shares his enthusiasm for exploring new places. “My goal is that I have to travel around the world,” he said. “I have to see those places with my wife, because she is fond of travelling as well.”
As he considers how best to use the prize, Kishore is taking his time to weigh his options and plan for the future.
He also had a reminder for anyone who participates in lottery games, stressing the importance of setting personal limits on spending. “Everyone should know their own limits,” he said. “They should set a limit on how much they spend.”
For Kishore, the win has arrived at a moment when he is already looking ahead to a new decade of life. Alongside the celebrations, it has given him the chance to consider long-held ambitions and, most importantly, make more memories with his family. PIA/Expat Media
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