DUBAI // An Indian working at a Bur Dubai grocery won Dh500,000 in a raffle.
V Tharuvai, a Dubai resident for the past 32 years, had invested half his salary in three to four Infiniti Mega Raffles.
“In my heart, I always believed that I would win the grand prize of the Infiniti Mega Raffle some day,” said the 50-year-old.
“Dubai has turned the dreams of so many into a reality, and I was always hopeful that my life would also take a new direction in this city.”
Mr Tharuvai, who earns Dh1,200 a month, said he would like to start a grocery in Bur Dubai and build a house for his wife and three children in Kerala.
The raffle offers Dubai Shopping Festival patrons the opportunity to take home a prize worth Dh500,000 each day until February 1. A daily prize consists of two Infiniti cars and Dh100,000 in cash.
As a gesture in celebration of the festival’s 20th anniversary, shoppers participating in the raffle get a second chance to win with more than Dh2 million in additional prizes at weekly draws, when five lucky shoppers could win cash prizes of Dh100,000 each.
cmalek@thenational.ae
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.