Indian toddler wins BMW in DSS raffle

Mangalore Today News Network

Dubai August 13, 2014 : She may be too young to drive a car, but not too old to win one. Two-and-a-half-year-old Dubai resident Tanishka has won a BMW at the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) raffle draw. Abhilash Ayyapan, her father, is obviously excited with the good news.

Little did he or his wife know that their shopping at Oasis Centre just ahead of their Indian holiday would prove lucky for them.

“At first I thought it was a prank call. I often gets calls from ‘du’ and ‘Etisalat’ representatives claiming I’ve won $100,000, so I thought this one was another hoax,” he chuckled. “I was about to disconnect the call when it struck me that the gentleman on the phone line was asking for my daughter and not me,” he told Emirates24|7. “It had to be from the coupon, because I always write my daughter’s name on raffle coupons.”

Once the authenticity of the win was established, Abhilash had another hurdle to cross. “I couldn’t remember where I had kept our raffle ticket.”

His wife, he added, was livid, and the two searched their home thoroughly before it was found neatly tucked away in a corner reserved for bills and receipts. “We were lucky to find it. Actually, we fill so many coupons during promotions that sometimes we just keep them away without thinking that it could actually win us something.”

They shared the joy with their little winner, who is clearly oblivious to what she won. The win, he claimed, was their first big win even though Tanishka has brought fortune to the family earlier. “Once we won an iPod during a scratch-and-win promotion when my wife was pregnant with Tanishka. But, that’s nothing compared to this,” he added.

“We leave for Kerala in a few days, and I can’t wait to share the big news with my family.”

Born and brought up in the UAE, Abhilash works for his family-owned transportation and logistics firm in Dubai.

Since he and his wife own a car each, they have decided to trade in the BMW for cash. “I will keep the money aside for my daughter’s future. I can’t wait to share this story with her when she grows up and can understand the enormity of the win.”

The 2014 sedan, he believes, might fetch around Dh130,000 and could prove a great start for his girl’s future savings.

The DSS promotion which runs until September 5 is organised by DFRE, an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), and DSMG.

The malls participating in the campaign are Al Ain Centre, Al Barsha Mall, Al Bustan Centre, Al Ghurair Centre, Al Manal Centre, Al Mulla Plaza, Arabian Centre, Bin Sougat Centre, BurJuman Centre, Century Mall, City Walk, Dubai Outlet Mall, Ethihad Mall, Ibn Batuta Mall, Karama Centre, Lamcy Plaza, Madina Mall, Mazaya Shopping Centre, Oasis Centre, Palm Strip Shopping Mall, Reef Mall, Sunset Mall, The Beach, Times Square Centre, Twin Tower, and Wafi.

 

Courtesy :emirates247.com