News Flash Daily
07 March 
Sharjah-based Indian driver Vibeesh Palliyali hits Big Ticket jackpot worth Dh15 million; will share prize with friends and plans to return to India
Bengaluru: In a remarkable story of perseverance and luck, a pickup truck driver working in Sharjah has finally struck gold after 15 years of consistently purchasing lottery tickets every month. The driver, Vibeesh Palliyali, has won a share of the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi jackpot worth Dh15 million (approximately Rs. 34 crore), instantly transforming his life.
According to reports, the jackpot will be shared among four individuals, with Vibeesh receiving Dh4 million (approximately Rs. 10 crore) as his share of the prize money. The unexpected win has made him a multi-millionaire overnight, and he now plans to return to India and settle with his family.
A Lottery Habit That Lasted 15 Years
For more than a decade and a half, Vibeesh had developed a routine of purchasing lottery tickets every month despite his modest income as a driver.
Working for a transport company in Sharjah, he continued buying tickets even when finances were tight. What started as a hopeful habit eventually turned into a life-changing moment when his ticket number was announced among the winners in the Big Ticket draw.
Ticket Bought After Friends Insisted
Vibeesh revealed that the winning ticket was actually purchased under pressure from friends, even though he initially did not intend to buy it.
“On February 7, while travelling to India, I had already purchased a set of tickets worth Dh 1,000. Later, on February 28, my cousin and two of his friends called me and insisted that I join them in buying another ticket,” he told.
He initially refused, explaining that his budget for the month had already been exhausted. However, he eventually decided to buy the ticket online around 8 PM to avoid disappointing them.
That very ticket, purchased reluctantly, ended up changing his destiny.
Thought the Winning Call Was a Prank
When the company called to inform him about the win, Vibeesh initially believed someone was playing a prank on him.
Since he was a regular participant in the lottery, he often received promotional calls from the company regarding offers and ticket deals.
However, he found it unusual to receive such a call early in the month during the evening hours.
When he was told that he had won the jackpot, he dismissed it as a joke. It was only after he informed his wife that the truth became clear.
His wife immediately checked the official Big Ticket website, where Vibeesh’s name appeared on the winners’ list, confirming the life-changing news.
Arguments at Home Over Buying Lottery Tickets
Vibeesh also shared that his lottery habit had caused disagreements at home over the years.
With a driver’s modest salary, purchasing expensive lottery tickets was not always easy. His wife frequently questioned the decision to spend money on tickets instead of other household needs.
At times, she would get upset and argue that the money could be used for more practical purposes. Because of this, Vibeesh admitted that he occasionally hid his ticket purchases from her.
However, his persistence and belief in luck ultimately paid off, proving that his long-standing habit had finally delivered an extraordinary reward.
Plans to Return to India and Secure Daughter’s Future
Following the major win, Vibeesh is now planning to return to India and settle permanently with his family.
One of his top priorities is to secure the future of his daughter, Vandana, who is currently pursuing her studies in Bengaluru.
The prize money, he says, will help him provide better financial stability, education opportunities, and a secure life for his family after years of hard work abroad.
Vibeesh’s story has quickly become an inspiring tale of patience, perseverance, and unexpected fortune, highlighting how a small hope maintained for years can sometimes lead to life-changing results.
