01 July 2006
Dubai: Three lucky Dubai residents a Bulgarian, an Indian and a Filipina jointly took home Dh217,500 in cash prizes in the Gulf News Super Value Stakes on Friday.
Bulgarian expatriate Elena Safir, who received a cheque for Dh109,000, said it was the first time she had ever won anything during her five-year stay in the UAE.
The expatriate, a brand manager with a company in Deira, said it was an "excellent surprise". Her husband, Ahmad, an Indian expatriate who was born and raised in Dubai, said the money would be invested for their daughter, Jinanh.
Apparently the bell was not working and Elena's mobile phone was switched off. "I suppose the only thing to do is to grab a cup of tea and come back later," said a team member from the newspaper.
At approximately the same time elsewhere in Dubai, the second prize winner, Indian expatriate Niranjan Kunder, was handed over a cheque for Dh65,000.
The expat told the team he had dumped all the papers in the garbage. The team then tried sifting through the garbage bin nearby but failed to find any newspapers.
Lumanlan had taken the hint and kept a copy of the paper with her," he said. "She was shaking with excitement when we told her she is the winner."
The promotion, which was run in collaboration with the National Bank of Dubai, gave away over Dh1 million in cash prizes to subscribers and non-subscribers in June.
The winners are also made 'Value Account' holders of the bank and their names go into the draw for a Maserati car worth over half-a-million dirhams.
The draw will be held in October.
The account is 'value-packed', with free insurance cover of Dh100,000, roadside assistance and also offers medical discount cards at various pharmacies and clinics, said Sarkar.
Winners
Dh109,000 Elena Safir Dubai
Dh65,000 Niranjan Kunder Dubai
Dh43,500 Jannette Lumanlan Dubai
By Mahmood Saberi
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
