Kishore Pandurang Rao, a Mumbai-born expatriate who has called the UAE home since 1993, was just days away from wrapping up his life in the country. Having spent three decades working abroad, he had already informed his wife that October would be his final month in the UAE before permanently returning home. However, life took an incredible turn just five days before his 60th birthday when he discovered he had won a staggering Dh5 million in the UAE Lottery. What was meant to be his farewell month has now transformed into a fresh start, as Kishore has decided to abandon his retirement plans and instead bring his family over to join him in the Emirates.

The path to this life-altering windfall was nearly missed, as Kishore initially overlooked the email notification regarding his win. It wasn't until he checked his account that the reality of the prize sunk in—a realization so surreal he kept the news to himself for three days. Even now, the veteran expat finds it hard to process his luck after thirty years of hard work. During a conversation with the lottery’s Chief Celebrations Officer, Brett Lee, Kishore expressed his relief and newfound excitement. Rather than leaving the country as he had planned, he is now looking forward to a future filled with family reunions and travel, cementing his long-standing connection to the UAE.