Over the last ten years, a wave of good fortune has swept through India’s community of lottery players, with numerous locals securing enormous jackpot wins in both domestic and international lottery games. Such victories have not only created crorepatis and millionaires but have dramatically improved the winners’ lifestyles and given them the ability to contribute significantly to charitable causes.
Among the most astonishing winners is Ushakiran Patel, a 62-year-old who snagged a million-dollar prize in the US Powerball lottery. March 2018 marked her moment of victory when she matched five of the winning numbers using a quick pick ticket—forgoing any personal predictions or calculations. Despite her newfound wealth, Patel, an Indian retiree residing in the US, initially found herself pondering the best use for her hefty winnings. Topping her list, undoubtedly, were improvements to her quality of life.
Sandeep Singh, known affectionately as “Sunny,” is another record-breaker, holding the title of the youngest and wealthiest Indian international lottery winner. His $30.5 million share of the Mega Millions lottery jackpot arrived serendipitously after a recent breakup and during a time when he juggled two jobs to support his family. Singh’s dedication to the lottery paid off handsomely, and his plans for the money included clearing his mother’s house loan, pursuing a business degree, and generous donations to charity.
The perseverance of Nandlall Mangal, a Caribbean-born West Indian of Indian descent now living in New York, was rewarded with a colossal $245.6 million Powerball win. An infrequent player, Mangal was prompted to buy a ticket when the jackpot soared over $100 million. Following his astonishing win, he expressed his intention to continue working and enjoy a dream vacation to Hawaii.
Nirmal Dhamodarasamy, a 23-year-old student, beat odds to claim a $1 million prize on his first attempt at the US Powerball. His win, propelled by a tempting $1.5 billion jackpot, fulfilled his dream to bring his family from India to Chicago for his graduation.
Another winner, an Indian man known only as C.J., preferred to keep his identity a mystery after winning a significant second prize in the Austria Lottery. His intentions? To utilize his winnings for a more comfortable life.
Balraj Awasthi and Pragnesh Peter Saija are two more Indian expatriates in Canada who found fortune with Lotto 6/49 and the Daily Grand Lottery, respectively, netting multi-million dollar wins. These windfalls have enabled them to pursue entrepreneurial aspirations and secure a prosperous future for their families.
For seven years, Tahir Ali called Mississauga home before winning $2 million in the Ontario 49 lottery. Having heard of the lottery over the radio, his win brought tears of happiness and aspirations for an improved family life.
Lingaraju D, a retired health inspector from Karnataka, utilized a unique number selection strategy to win $520,000 in the Mega Millions lottery. As an online lottery enthusiast, he played a variety of games, which ultimately paid off, enabling him to achieve dreams such as purchasing property and aiding family members.
The Malamaal Daily, hosted by LottoLand, witnessed the emergence of their first Lakhpati, Partho Mondal, in 2020. A customer care representative, Mondal saw his modest ₹40 investment return an impressive 53 lakhs, which he dedicated to settling debts and supporting loved ones.
Moreover, Prasanth Parasuraman, another loyal Lotto 649 player, was taken aback when he realized his win was not $286 but $286,791, a sum he planned to use for a down payment on a house and his culinary business venture.
Rain proved to be a harbinger of fortune for Mr. Das Gaur, a rickshaw driver who, after a canceled picnic, bought a winning ticket worth Rs 50 lakh, which he wisely opted to save for his children’s education and a new home.
Porunna Rajan, a member of the Kurichiya community, dramatically turned around his financial struggles with a ₹12 crore Christmas-New Year Bumper lottery jackpot win, using the money to pay off his debts and finance a new home.
The Playwin Thunderball Lotto created the youngest crorepati, Akshit Kumar Jain, when he matched winning numbers to earn Rs 2.83 crores on January 3, 2017, cementing his place among India’s most successful lottery winners.
Lastly, a group of friends employed at a Jewelry shop showed the power of collaboration when their collective lottery ticket purchase brought them a jackpot worth ₹12 crores, demonstrating the transformative power of luck and unity.
The tales of these winners are not only inspiring but also serve as a testament to the potential for anyone to win, proving that while the odds may be high, so are the rewards. Whether playing domestic government lotteries or international online games, there’s a chance for every hopeful to become the next celebrated winner in India’s lottery history.
