UAE. Dubai Duty Free celebrated Diwali at Dubai International Airport today (30 October) with a special reception attended by His Excellency Satish Kumar Sivan, the Consul General of India to Dubai. The event coincided with draws for the popular Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotion.
Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi and Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak led the extended management team in welcoming His Excellency.
The festivities began with the ceremonial lighting of a Diwali lamp, followed by a traditional Indian dance performance.
Cidambi said: “It was an absolute honour to be joined by the Indian Consul General, H.E. Satish Kumar Sivan, in celebrating the Diwali Festival at Dubai Duty Free.
“We currently employ nearly 1,000 Indian nationals, and Indian passengers account for 13-14% of our business – it is appropriate that we mark this most popular festival celebrated all over the world.”
His Excellency commented: “Thank you Ramesh and Salah for inviting me to your Diwali celebration here at Dubai Duty Free.
“It is great to know that you have good number of Indian employees working here and that Indians form the majority of customers who love to shop at Dubai Duty Free. I wish you all Happy Diwali.”
His Excellency then joined in the draw for the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions.
Khalid Pervez, a Pakistani national based in Doha, Qatar became a US$1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 478 with a ticket he purchased on 18 October in Terminal 2.
Following the draw, a presentation to the previous Millennium Millionaire Series 477 winner, Amit Saraf, was conducted. The Dubai-based Indian national is also the ninth to win the promotion twice.
Three winners of luxury vehicles were also announced in the Finest Surprise promotion during the event.
Lebanese national Hadi Sidani won a BMW 740i M Sport car in the Finest Surprise Series 1895 with a ticket he purchased on 5 October in Terminal 2.
Avish Thottuparambath, an Indian national based in Ajman, won a BMW R12 motorbike in the Finest Surprise Series 600 with a ticket purchased online on 13 October.
Mohamed Ashmawy, an Egyptian national based in Dubai, won an Indian Scout Bobber motorbike in the Finest Surprise Series 601 with a ticket bought on 6 October in Concourse D.
The draws were also attended by Dubai Duty Free SVP Human Resources Mona Al Ali; SVP Retail Michael Schmidt; SVP Purchasing Sharon Beecham; and SVP Loss Prevention & Corporate Security Zayed Al Shebli.
As reported, until Saturday (2 November) departing passengers at Dubai and Al Maktoum international airports have the opportunity to win one of ten Dubai Duty Free 40th Anniversary 10gm gold bars.
Customers who spend AED3,000 (US$816.76) or more at the gold shop can select a golden ball. Inside, they will find either a Diwali greeting or a message indicating they have won a 10gm gold bar. Two winners will be chosen daily throughout the promotion period.
Dubai Duty Free is also running a ‘Diwali Gold’ promotion offering AED5 (US$1.36) per gm discount for every AED8,000 (US$2,178.03) spent on select gold items. ✈
