Two UAE-based expatriates from Kerala have started the month on a high note after being declared the latest winners of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw. Kabir Poovathingal, a 48-year-old aviation operator and father of five, and 30-year-old newlywed Mohammed Shibil Thayyil each walked away with a $1 million prize. Both men purchased their winning tickets online in mid-June, joining a long line of Indian nationals who have found fortune through these promotions, which have been running since 1999.

Beyond the million-dollar prizes, the event also featured the "Finest Surprise" draw, which saw two others take home luxury prizes. Kaushal Ved, an insurance agent based in Oman, claimed a Mercedes-Benz S500, while Mahmoud Harissi, a Canadian national working in Kuwait, won an Aprilia motorbike. For winners like Ved, who has been entering these draws monthly for years, the result was a dream come true, proving that perseverance—and a bit of luck—can truly pay off in the most unexpected ways.