Vice-President Qatar Duty Free Krishna Kumari is pictured, third left, announcing the winning ticket in the US$1 million raffle draw at Doha International Airport

Indian National Buys Winning Ticket En Route To Kerala For Birth Of Son Cash Prize At Doha International Airport Creates Third Instant Dollar Millionaire

Qatar Duty Free, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, has announced the latest winner of its US$1 million bumper raffle – its biggest ever prize – turning one lucky passenger into an instant millionaire.

And what a delight it was for winner Roopesh Kumar Kidavunil, from India, who bought his winning ticket en route to his home state of Kerala to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.

“This has really taken us by surprise,” said 31-year-old Roopesh, on learning of the win following the draw ceremony at Doha International Airport. He becomes Qatar Duty Free’s third US dollar millionaire.

Married with a four-month-old son, Roopesh lives in Doha and works for Qatar Petroleum. He said the news had brought “great joy” to his family. The Kidavunil family has lived in the Qatari capital for three years.

“What a great prize and a double celebration for my baby son and the family,” he added. When asked what he planned to do with his prize money, Roopesh said his priority would be towards supporting his family.

The US dollar millionaire raffle was launched in May 2006 giving passengers a great opportunity to win the bumper prize as each draw is made after 5,000 tickets are sold. Departing and transiting passengers at Doha International Airport are able to purchase raffle tickets, each priced at QAR950.

Vice-President Qatar Duty Free Krishna Kumari said: “Our congratulations go out to Mr Kidavunil and his wife – and what a great birthday gift for his new-born son.

“Qatar Duty Free has enjoyed tremendous success since launching the Qatar Riyal Millionaire Draw five years ago,” she said, adding, “since we upgraded to a bigger prize last year offering one million dollars, the response from the travelling public has been fantastic and now we welcome our third US dollar millionaire in what has proved an exciting and highly popular draw.”

Qatar Duty Free has been enjoying significant growth year on year, helped by a ramping up of its presence in the departures and arrivals area at Doha International Airport, the airline’s operational hub.