Eyes Closed, Dreams Open: Retired Indian Engineer Wins Dh100-Million Emirates Draw Jackpot

A former Chennai engineer in India, Sriram Rajagopalan, has stunned the world by taking the record-breaking Dh100-million (₹225 crore, $27 million) Emirates Draw MEGA7 jackpot, the largest individual win in lottery history.

Sriram, 56, won the jackpot by drawing random numbers on his phone using a stylus with his eyes closed—a habit he followed on March 16, his birthday plus one, and his mother's sixth death anniversary. 

The life-changing jackpot win was certified by Emirates Draw, operated globally by Tycheros, after Sriram matched all seven MEGA7 game numbers.

Shocked at first, Sriram replayed the draw video and took screenshots to confirm his fortune before sharing the news with his family.

Growing up in a humble, middle-class family, Sriram credits his determination and principles to his mother, stating, "Amma taught us to never give up. No matter what happens."

After working in Saudi Arabia for over two decades, Sriram returned to Chennai in 2023 to settle down and nurse his ailing mother back to health.

Sriram described his emotions as "70% happiness, 30% fear," acknowledging the magnitude of the win and the way it will secure his family's future.

He also emphasized that the jackpot is not just a personal victory but a hope for his family and many others, as he said, "Every father wants to secure their children's future—and now I can. This is a chance to build generational wealth."

Sriram plans to donate some of his winnings to charity, particularly causes that help cancer patients, temples, and old age homes.

Emirates Draw, which halted UAE operations in 2023 due to a regulatory change, now runs globally, and Sriram is its first-ever global grand prize winner.

Sriram's story is one of hope, perseverance, and serendipitous magic of fate—comforting dreamers all around the world that good luck can occur when one least expects it.

Source: Khaleej Times