ABU DHABI – The luck of the “Malayali Power” was on full display during the third week of March 2026, as three expatriates from Kerala were among the four Indian winners to strike gold in the prestigious Big Ticket Abu Dhabi weekly electronic draw. Each winner secured a 200-gram, 24-karat gold bar, bringing a wave of celebration across the UAE’s Keralite community.
The ‘Golden Heart’ of Kannur: Suneesh Krishnan
Among the winners, Suneesh Krishnan Balakrishnan, a native of Kannur, has touched hearts with his selfless decision. A sales professional in Dubai for the last 18 years, Suneesh has been a consistent participant in Big Ticket for nearly a decade.
Sticking to his “lucky number 3,” Suneesh purchased the winning ticket along with four friends. Upon learning of his victory, Suneesh announced that his share of the prize would be donated to an orphanage in Kerala. “I always believed my time would come,” he said, “and I am grateful that this win can now serve a greater cause.”
A Surprise Win for Dubai Businessman
For Sharath Balan, a businessman who has called the UAE home for 20 years, the news came as a complete shock. Sharath was in the middle of a high-stakes work meeting when Big Ticket officials attempted to call him.
“I couldn’t pick up the phone at the time,” Sharath recalled. It wasn’t until he checked the official results online later that evening that he realized his group of three friends had actually won the gold bar. While he hasn’t decided how to spend the windfall yet, he confirmed he will definitely continue participating in future draws.
Funding a Dream: Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim’s Journey to Canada
The third Malayali winner, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, represents the younger generation of hopefuls. Currently practicing medicine in Kerala, Ibrahim was introduced to Big Ticket by his father and brother, who live in the UAE.
Having shared the ticket cost with six friends for the past three years, Ibrahim views this win as a life-changing milestone. He is preparing to move to Canada later this year for higher studies, and the prize money will provide a critical financial cushion for his international education and travel.
A Diverse Pool of Winners
The weekly draw also saw success for Muhammad Azhar Jam Imam Bakhsh, a Pakistani national working as a driver in Abu Dhabi. The results underscore Big Ticket’s reputation as a life-changing platform for the diverse expatriate population of the UAE.
Eyes on the AED 20 Million Grand Prize
As March comes to a close, excitement is reaching a fever pitch for the Mega Draw on April 3, 2026.
- Grand Prize: AED 20 Million (Approx. ₹45 Crores).
- Consolation Prizes: Five more 200g gold bars.
- Luxury Vehicles: Upcoming draws include a Maserati Grecale (April) and a Land Rover Defender (May).
With one more weekly gold draw remaining in March, the “Big Ticket fever” continues to grip the expatriate community.
