Nigeria-based Indian man wins $1 million in latest Dubai Duty Free draw

A former Dubai expat has won $1 million (Dh3.67 million) at the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise.

DDF winner Rahul Julka (second from left) with his family.

Rahul Julka, 53, now based in Port Harcourt in Nigeria, could not contain his excitement with the win. Julka, who worked in Dubai for two years until 2009, said part of the win will be saved and another part towards home and personal loans that he has taken. The father of two, who currently works as general manager for Claridon Hotels and Resorts, said he is grateful for the win. 

He added that the winning money will go towards education of his children – son Shardul, 29 and daughter Julka, 24. 

“My son works as sous chef at Falkenberg Stranded in Sweden. My daughter Julka is pursuing her masters in public health from University of Adelaide, Australia.” Julka, who hails from Mumbai, is the 177th Indian to win the million-dollar prize at the draw since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999. Indians make up the highest number of Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire ticket buyers. Following the Millennium Millionaire draw the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for one luxury car and two motorbikes. 

Joining in the draw line-up was Mona Al Ali, SVP - Human Resources, Michael Schmidt, SVP - Retail Support, Sharon Beecham, VP – Purchasing and Zayed Al Shebli, VP – Loss Prevention & Corporate Security.