Gaur Das, a native of West Bengal earning his living by pulling a rickshaw in Dimapur, has become an overnight star by winning Rs 50 lakhs in Nagaland’s State Lottery on Sunday.
However, the life-changing event wouldn’t have happened had it not rained on September 29. Das told News18, he and his rickshaw union friends were supposed to go for a picnic but had to cancel the plan due to incessant rains in the city. While returning home, he noticed a man selling the Nagaland State Lottery ticket but was not keen on buying as he had only Rs 70 in his pocket. After repeated requests from the ticket seller, Das eventually gave in and bought one for Rs 30.
On Sunday afternoon, when Das went to a nearby lottery shop to check the results, he found out he had won the jackpot worth Rs 50 lakh.
Overwhelmed with joy and emotions, he rushed home and shared the news with his wife, but refrained from disclosing it to his neighbours, fearing safety. The next day the deposited the ticket in a bank. However, it didn’t take long for the news to become public. Now, scores of locals and outsiders have been thronging his house to congratulate him.
The change of fortune was much needed for Das, who found it hard to make ends meet with just one rickshaw. He currently lives with his widowed mother, wife, two daughters and a son.
When asked about what he will do with the lottery money, Das said he would build a new house for his family and also educate his children. (Agencies)