Indian driver in UAE wins lottery worth Rs 33 crore
Dubai, Dec 24: An Indian driver in the UAE has won Dirhams 15 million (Rs 33 crore) as the grand prize in a weekly lottery.
Ajay Ogula, 31, who has been working for a jewellery establishment, hit the jackpot after he purchased two tickets for his first-ever participation with Emirates Draw EASY6.
Currently working as a driver at a jewellery firm, Ogula came to the UAE four years from his village in southern India.
"During a random conversation with my boss, I mentioned reading about someone winning a handsome amount with Emirates Draw, to which my boss advised that you keep wasting money here and there, so why not use it instead on an opportunity like this'," he was quoted as saying by the Gulf News.
Following his employer's advice, Ogula installed the Emirates Draw mobile app and purchased two lottery tickets, it said.
As the eldest child, he felt obligated to support his family, including an ageing mother and two younger siblings who reside in an old, rented house.
"I was out with my friend when I received the congratulatory email. I thought, perhaps it's a smaller winning amount, but when I started reading, the zeroes kept adding up, and I practically lost my mind when I learned the final figure," he said.
Ogula plans to invite his family members to Dubai and then build a house for them in their village and also start a construction company to become self-sufficient, the report said.
"Congratulations to our Grand Prize winner, Ajay Ogula, on his epic win. Emirates Draw is not just about numbers and winners; it is about making a difference in people's lives and has been the goal from day one and will remain at the heart of all we do," said Mohammad Behroozian Alawadhi, Managing Partner, Emirates Draw.
"Our entire team is ecstatic for Ajay Ogula, and we are confident that this win will positively change his life and all the people around him," he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bearys education announces ‘campus connect & talent hunt 2026,' offers up to 100% scholarships
Mangaluru: Bearys Education has announced the launch of its “Campus Connect & Talent Hunt 2026,” scheduled to be held on April 11 at the Bearys Knowledge Campus near Mangalore University in Innoli.
The initiative, aimed at promoting academic excellence and student empowerment, will offer scholarships of up to 100 percent on tuition fees for meritorious candidates.
The programme seeks to identify and support students aspiring to pursue Pre-University Course (PUC), degree, engineering and architecture programmes.
The event is open to students from SSLC (Class 10), PUC (Class 12), Diploma and ITI streams, along with their parents. Organisers said the day-long programme will focus on guidance, engagement and opportunities for students planning their academic future.
A Talent Hunt Examination will be conducted on April 11 at 9.30 am, with eligibility extended to students completing SSLC and PUC in 2026. Based on their performance, candidates will be considered for scholarships of up to 100 per cent.
The event will also feature a career guidance and counselling session led by Ameen-E-Mudassar, CEO of CIGMA. In addition, a technical and science expo showcasing student-led innovations, along with a food festival, will be organised as part of the programme.
Organisers stated that the initiative reflects the institution’s focus on quality education, personality development and integrity, while marking over 120 years of educational service.
Interested participants can register before April 8 by scanning the QR code provided in the official announcement (provided below) or by contacting 89704 96949, 81239 04351, or 99000 66888.
