“Don’t spend cash prize of lottery unnecessarily”; last year’s Onam bumper winner advices Anoop

KOCHI: “Don’t spend the cash prize of the lottery unnecessarily for two years. Otherwise, it will become difficult to pay taxes later”, advices auto driver, Jayapalan, who was last year’s Onam bumper winner. His advice is specifically for Anoop, who won Rs. 25 crore Onam bumper this year.

Last year, Jayapalan, a native of Maradu in Kochi had won Rs. 12 crore. He gives the advice from his own experience after winning the Onam bumper.

Jayapalan says not to spend the lottery money unnecessarily and without a thought. Two months back he had to pay Rs. 1.45 crore as tax to central government as his earnings rose exponentially. This year’s winner might have to pay double that amount.

The auto driver continues that from tomorrow morning onwards people will come to our home for all kinds of help. It is difficult to help everyone and there is no reason to be sad about that. When going for a marriage function we must remember to give them double the amount that we used to give. For that money is needed.

Jayapalan says that this is the reason why he has not changed his lifestyle even after winning the Onam bumper. He still drives his auto plying passengers to meet his daily expenses. His wife is still working as a sweeper at Dr. Padiyar Memorial Homoeopathy Medical College.

He said that he brought a car and land at Tripunithura with the money he got and paid of some debts. He also gave some money to his brothers and close relatives. Jayapalan also donated some money to Seva Bharathi to help those who are in need. The rest is deposited in the name of his wife and daughter.

Jayapalan said that he has not used the money to meet his day to day expenses. His eldest son, Vaishak is an electrician and his daughter in law is a post woman. The youngest son is a homeopathy doctor and now joined for MBBS. Even the loan for his auto is still pending. Money must not be wasted. If the taxes are not paid on time, it will continue to grow till we find it hard to handle.