ALAPPUZHA: After tasting success with the Vishu bumper lottery, Pazhayaveedu native Vishwambaran is betting on Onam bumper to reward him similarly. Vishwamabran took the Onam bumper ticket from the same shop that made him a millionaire.
Despite winning the biggest prize, he has not given up his habit of taking lottery tickets. The Onam bumper draw is on Wednesday.
Winning the big prize has its perils as Vishwambaran moved out of his family house in Pazhayaveedu as per the instructions of the police and now lives with his family in a house he had built earlier in Haripad Thamallackal.
After news spread about his lucky draw win, thousands started flocking to his house pleading for help. Letters, phone calls and messages from random people started coming to Vishwambaran disrupting his hitherto comfortable lifestyle. He thus sought help from the police and left his hometown of Alappuzha.
“The media fame and the widespread news following the win was sweet at first but turned bitter later. I should have kept my identity shrouded from the beginning. After the win, every day I woke up seeing the sight of a beeline queue in front of my house.
Some people had debts after conducting their daughter’s marriage and wanted me to help. Some requested more than five lakhs. "
Vishwambaran, a former CRPF Lance Naik, soon had to change his former amicable tone and informed everyone about his decision to not give such high amounts to people he barely knew. In the meanwhile, he helped people who came with small requests.
Vishwambaran bought two new houses for his two daughters and has safely deposited the rest of the money in his bank account.