Bahrain-based restaurateur Krishnakumar Syamala Ravindran hits the jackpot after seven years of persistence; plans to airlift comatose friend to India for treatment.
DUBAI — In a remarkable turn of fortune, a Bahrain-based Indian expatriate currently vacationing in Kerala has claimed the staggering Dh20 million grand prize in the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket Series 287 draw. Strikingly, the multi-million-dirham win was secured through a complimentary ticket—valued at Dh0—acquired via a promotional offer, ending his seven-year streak of persistent attempts.
Krishnakumar Syamala Ravindran, a 43-year-old restaurateur who has resided in Bahrain for over two decades, was back home in the south Indian state when the life-changing draw took place on Wednesday evening. The winning ticket, number 339729, was part of a ‘buy-two-get-two’ online promotion he purchased on May 28.
During the live broadcast, the event host, Richard, displayed the web copy of the winning ticket, highlighting the face value of Dh0—a detail that underscored the extraordinary nature of the win.
A Family Fortified by Hope
“I purchased the tickets through the buy-two-get-two offer. All the numbers were chosen randomly by my wife and sister. Interestingly, it was one of the two free tickets that turned lucky for our family,” Krishnakumar stated, speaking from Kerala on Thursday.
Krishnakumar had arrived in Kerala on May 25 for a brief two-week vacation with his wife and two sons, currently studying in grades six and three, before the conclusion of their school holidays. Due to his Bahraini SIM card being inactive while abroad, the organizers initially struggled to reach him.
“When they called, my phone was unreachable. Later, they successfully contacted me via WhatsApp on my Indian number,” he explained, recounting the moments of joyful shock that enveloped his household. “It was so unexpected. We are still in disbelief; the news is just sinking in.”
From Financial Hardship to a Philanthropic Priority
Krishnakumar’s journey to this monumental win began during a period of profound professional uncertainty. After studying hotel management and working in the hospitality sector, he migrated to Bahrain at the age of 20, eventually establishing his own restaurant in Manama. When the business encountered a severe downturn, he turned to the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket as a beacon of hope. For seven continuous years, including the challenging post-pandemic period, he consistently purchased tickets—sometimes individually, and at other times pooling resources with friends. Fortunately, as the sole owner of this specific ticket, he retains the entire prize amount.
While the windfall promises immense financial security, Krishnakumar’s immediate priority remains entirely altruistic. He intends to utilize a portion of the funds to airlift his close friend and business partner back to India for advanced medical care. The 41-year-old partner, a native of Kodagu, Karnataka, has been in a coma for three months following a severe head injury sustained from a staircase fall.
“His condition is very critical. I want to bring him to India for further specialized treatment,” Krishnakumar said, emphasizing that coordinating this medical repatriation is his foremost objective.
Future Horizons
As for the remaining capital, Krishnakumar remains pragmatic. Well-versed in foreign exchange rates, he plans to deliberate with his family regarding long-term investments. One immediate plan, however, includes a family trip to the UAE to officially collect the prize.
“My family visited the UAE some years ago. This will be the first time traveling there together since my children have grown up,” he added. Offering words of encouragement to global lottery participants, Krishnakumar advised: “Keep trying, stay positive, and never give up.”
