Constable wins Rs 2 cr lottery

Tribune News Service 

Jalandhar, January 20

A Punjab Police constable from Hoshiarpur has won a lottery of Rs 2 crore in the Lohri bumper draw. 

“I purchased lottery ticket for the second time. It is unbelievable to get Rs 2 crore on an investment of Rs 200,” constable Ashok Kumar (29) said.

What is more surprising is the fact that he bought the ticket after being persuaded by a lottery seller who had come to the police station. “I always imagined increasing my wealth by purchasing lottery tickets, but after not getting anything in the Diwali bumper lottery last year, I stopped believing in acquiring fortune though such means. However, when my friends bought the ticket, I was also tempted to buy the ticket,” he said. Ashok, who has been serving in the police for nine years, said the money would provide him financial stability. 

Although the lottery seller informed him about winning the bumper prize on January 16, he preferred to keep it a secret until his name appeared as a winner in the government gazette publication. 

Ashok, who is a resident of Moutian village in Hoshiarpur, said: “It’s a huge amount for anyone belonging to a middle class family. Other than savings, I will utilise it for either sending my two younger brothers abroad or in providing them higher education”. 

Son of a wood merchant, his family comprises his parents, two younger brothers and two sisters, who are married now. He said, “Now that I am financially stable, I am all set to tie the knot.”