KHAMMAM: Bolla Anil Kumar, a 29-year-old resident of Bheemavaram village in Vemsoor mandal, Khammam district, has struck gold by winning the Dh100 million (Rs 240 crore) UAE lottery.
After completing his education in Hyderabad, Anil moved to Abu Dhabi, where he has been working as an IT professional for over a year and a half. Recently, he purchased 12 tickets, one of which, bearing the date of his mother Bhulakshmi’s birthday, turned out to be the winning number, fetching him the massive jackpot.
The joy of Anil Kumar’s parents, Madhava Rao and Bhulakshmi, knew no bounds when they learnt about his win. Speaking to TNIE from their home in Bheemavaram, they said, “We have no words to express our happiness.” Madhava Rao, 60, is a small farmer who owns five acres of land. Anil has an elder brother, Subramanyam.
Speaking to Khaleej Times in Abu Dhabi, Anil said he intends to continue working and plans to remain in the UAE for at least the next decade. His top priority is to bring his family, his parents and brother, to the UAE so they can live together.
“The UAE is a very safe and secure country, and I’m happy to build my life here,” he said. “I want my parents and brother to experience the life I have here and be close to me. I also want to buy a home, maybe in Yas Island or Saadiyat Island.”
Anil Kumar’s quiet, predictable life, working during the day, spending time with friends, and staying connected with family back home, changed on 18 October when he received an unexpected call from the UAE Lottery team while sitting on his sofa.
“I was shocked and couldn’t believe it at first. I had some water, tried to calm down, and then celebrated quietly. It was an unforgettable moment,” he recalled.
Anil started playing the UAE Lottery about a year ago, occasionally trying his luck with scratch cards and Lucky Day draws. “I skipped a couple of months, but I kept believing,” he said. “For the 18 October draw, I bought 12 tickets, and one of them changed my life.”
Despite his new multimillionaire status, Anil Kumar said he intends to remain grounded and give back. “I plan to donate part of the money to charity,” he told Khaleej Times.