ALAPPUZHA: Putting an end to all suspense about the winner of the Thiruvonam Bumper of Rs 25 crore, the lucky victor stepped forward yesterday. The winner is Sarath S Nair, who works as a godown in-charge at a paint showroom in Nettoor. This is the first time in his life that Sarath is buying a bumper ticket. Sarath and his brother handed over the ticket to the Thuravoor branch of SBI the other day.

The SBI bank manager is now sharing his experience when Sarath came to the bank to hand over the bumper ticket of Rs 25 crores. The manager said that despite winning the bumper ticket of 25 crores, he came to the bank very coolly. There was no excitement on his face. He added that he was surprised to see this.

‘This is the first time our bank is getting a huge amount as deposit. I am grateful to him. It is a matter of joy that our customer brings the first prize of the Onam bumper ticket, which is drawn only once a year. I wish all the best to the family and my prayers to them,' said the bank manager.

The lucky ticket was TH 577825, bought from lottery agent M T Latheesh at Nettoor in Ernakulam. He bought the ticket while going for work. Sarath decided to buy the ticket after knowing that the date of Onam bumper draw had been postponed. Sarath said that he used to buy tickets of small amounts at times.

He said that he heard the result while on duty. He asked his wife Aparna to check the number on the ticket. He also told his brother Ranjith about this. Since it was a bank holiday for two days, he kept the ticket at home. After reaching his work place yesterday in Nettoor, he took leave and went to the SBI Thuravoor branch and handed over the ticket. Sharath also informed the media that he was the lucky winner of the Onam Bumper.