Hyderabad, Feb. 4 -- A 38-year-old Indian expat working as a security guard in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) finally struck luck after a decade of hope and persistence. Ashik Patinharath, a native of Kerala state, won a staggering grand prize of Dh 25 million (approximately Rs 5,92,719) in the latest Big Ticket draw, making his dream a reality.

Patinharath, who has lived away from his family in Sharjah for the past 19 years, has been purchasing the Big Ticket entries solo for the past 10 years, never giving up hope.

The winner expressed his joy stating, "I am still in shock my heart dropped when I got the call. Since I wasn't watching the live draw, it was a huge surprise," Khaleej Times reported.

"You can imagine my happiness after 1...