Vilas Rikkala from Jakranpalli village in Nizamabad district gave up agriculture in search of greener pastures. He flew to the UAE four years ago and ever since has been working as a cabbie. But six weeks back, he returned to India. “I couldn’t get a proper job in the UAE, so I returned after my Visa expired,” he said.
Lady Luck was following him. Vilas won the Fantastic 15 Million series 206 draw, drawn on August 3, 2019 in the UAE capital. He was informed on the same day that he has won the huge prize money.
“It’s incredible; I was overwhelmed when I heard the news! My mobile has been ringing incessantly and I just don’t know how to handle the joyous moment,” replies an ecstatic Vilas, adding that he never expected to win the prize money.
The 36 year-old’s constant endeavor for a better job in UAE was always coupled with his fascination of buying a Raffle Ticket.
“I did buy the Raffle Ticket twice earlier along with my friends, but I didn’t win, but this time luck was by my side,” reveals Vilas, adding, it was his wife’s (Padma) decision to force him to buy the Raffle Ticket. He elaborates, “I was running short of money since I didn’t have a stable job there. So I was in a dilemma whether to buy the Raffle Ticket or not. But Padma insisted that I buy it, so I borrowed money from her, and asked my friend to buy on my behalf. She’s on cloud nine! The entire credit goes to her.”
Vilas said he could recognise the voice of the prize money announcer, and hence could rule out the possibility of the phone call being a fake one. “I saw the program live earlier in UAE, so when I got the call, I could instantly recognise the voice of the presenter,” he reveals, adding, “The authorities have asked me to come and collect the prize money in person. But I only got a call... am awaiting the official letter of confirmation.”
Vilas, who is presently in Hyderabad, is yet to take a call on how he would like to spend the money. “Let the money come first and then I’ll see,” he replies, adding, “I haven’t planned anything.”
