In an inspiring tale of perseverance and luck, an Indian woman from Punjab has won Rs 8 crore in the Dubai Duty-Free (DDF) Millennium Millionaire draw after trying her luck for 12 years. Payal, whose lucky number is three, won the grand prize by selecting ticket number 3337 in the DDF series 461, which she purchased online on May 3.

A Gift That Keeps on Giving

Payal received Dh1,000 (approximately Rs 22,000) from her husband as a wedding anniversary gift and decided to invest it in a raffle draw ticket. On April 20, Harnek Singh, her husband, gave her the money for their 16th wedding anniversary. She used it to buy a DDF ticket online, choosing the one with the most number three.

"I was so happy, and tears of joy rolled out as I spoke to him," Payal said, describing her emotional reaction when she shared the news with her husband.

Twelve Years of Perseverance

According to the Khaleej Times, Payal has been purchasing DDF tickets each time her family visited Dubai over the past 12 years. She often used her children’s and husband’s names on the tickets. This time, for the first time, she bought a ticket online, which turned out to be the winning move.

Immediate Plans

Currently, Payal is still coming to terms with her newfound wealth and hasn't made concrete plans for the money. However, she has clear priorities: securing her children’s future, assisting her brother in Australia, and donating to her community. "It’s still very early to decide. But, of course, our priority is to secure my kids’ future, to give them a really good education for a good life," she shared.

A Milestone for Indian Winners

Payal’s win marks her as the 229th Indian to hit the jackpot in the Dubai Duty-Free draw. When she first received the call from the DDF organizers, she was in disbelief. The first person she informed was her mother-in-law, who was at home with her at the time.

This remarkable win underscores the potential of persistence and optimism. Payal’s story serves as an inspiration to many who continue to try their luck, hoping for a life-changing moment.