Shabana Unni, a single mother and marketing professional based in Dubai, experienced a life-altering moment when she won $1 million. The Indian expatriate, who works at the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, was preparing for a movie outing with her children when she received the news.
Her mother first noticed the notification, leaving Shabana in utter disbelief. “I checked the notification over a thousand times just to confirm it is me,” she said. The win came from Idealz, a shop-and-win platform, in collaboration with Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE). Shabana’s name was drawn as the winner of the One-Million-Dollar Union Day Grand Prize on December 2.
Shabana’s journey to this incredible win began with inspiration from her mother, who had previously won Dh1,000 with Idealz. This prompted her to try her luck for six months, eventually leading to her winning moment. She had participated by purchasing products worth Dh100 during a special Idealz campaign, which qualified her for the draw.
Despite now being a millionaire, Shabana intends to maintain her humble lifestyle. She plans to use the funds to secure her children’s future, invest in their education, contribute to charity, and kickstart a business venture she has long dreamed of. “I will always stay humble and thankful to the Almighty,” she said.
For Shabana, the prize brings more than just financial relief. As a single parent, she had faced challenges in supporting her family but never let that bring her down. “I feel relieved that I now have good means to support my family’s needs with confidence,” she expressed. Grateful for the relief from financial burden, she plans to continue her job at the foundation.
Her advice to others is to persist through challenges and remain hopeful. “Life’s sudden changes can bring immense joy in the blink of an eye,” Shabana reflected, embodying the essence of hope and resilience.