Doha Time

Doha, Jul 24: Qatar Duty Free, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, yesterday said Roopesh Kumar Kidavunil from India has won its $1mn bumper raffle.

“And what a delight it was for winner Kidavunil, who bought his winning ticket en route to his home state of Kerala to be with his wife for the birth of their first child,” a spokesperson for Qatar Duty Free said.

“This has really taken us by surprise,” said 31-year-old Roopesh Kidavunil, on learning of the win following the draw at Doha International Airport. He becomes Qatar Duty Free’s third dollar millionaire.

Married with a four-month-old son, Roopesh lives in Doha and works for Qatar Petroleum. He said the news had brought “great joy” to his family. The Kidavunil family has lived in the Qatari capital for three years.

“What a great prize and a double celebration for my baby son and the family,” he added. When asked what he planned to do with his prize money, Kidavunil said his priority would be supporting his family.

The dollar millionaire raffle was launched in May 2006 giving passengers an opportunity to win the bumper prize as each draw is made after 5,000 tickets are sold. Departing and transiting passengers at Doha International Airport are able to purchase raffle tickets, each priced at QR950.

Vice-President, Qatar Duty Free Krishna Kumari said: “Our congratulations go out to Kidavunil and his wife – and what a great birthday gift for his new-born son.

“Qatar Duty Free has enjoyed tremendous success since launching the Qatar Riyal Millionaire Draw five years ago,” she said.

“Since we upgraded to a bigger prize last year offering $1mn, the response from the travelling public has been fantastic and now we welcome our third dollar millionaire in what has proved an exciting and highly popular draw.”
She said Qatar Duty Free has been enjoying significant growth year on year, helped by a ramping up of its presence in the departures and arrivals area at Doha Airport, the airline’s operational hub.