An autorickshaw driver, Anoop’s story is one of rags to riches. Anoop along with his family celebrated after winning Rs. 25 crore first prize in Kerala government’s mega Onam raffle. A cook by profession had to switch jobs to make ends meet.
This 30-year-old has applied for a loan of Rs. 3 lakh to travel to Malaysia and work there as a chef. He needed a very big win and may be he wished on a falling star. The day he won the lottery, his loan application got approved too.
In an elated voice, he told media,
‘I told them I won’t need it anymore.’
As per the media reports, Anoop didn’t have money to buy lottery tickets and even had to break his son’s piggy bank to cover the shortfall of Rs 500 he needed. The man said he usually buys tickets from his cousin but this time he decided to purchase from the agency. He had been trying his luck in the lottery since the age of 22. It turned out this wasn't beginner's luck when he didn't like the number series on his first ticket. The second ticket number, 750605 seemed fancy to him.
Because growth and comfort do not co-exist, Anoop has devised some plans for the future. He would begin by paying his debts, build a house and help his relatives.
Money can’t buy happiness is a widely held axiom. And Anoop has dispelled this popular belief. We always link money to happiness. This man is fortunate enough to win the lottery, and soon to add all the comforts and pleasures in his life. But we are looking at this happiness with just one context. Anoop had made some serious revelation to the media,
"I have lost all peace of mind and I can't even reside in my own home as I am besieged with people who come calling to ask me to sort out various needs of theirs as I have won the first prize. I now keep changing where I stay as I have lost all peace of mind that I enjoyed till I won the prize," he said.
After deduction of tax and other dues, Anoop will get an amount of Rs 15 crore as the prize money.
"Now I really wish I would not have won it. I, like most people, really enjoyed myself winning for a day or two with all the publicity. But now this has become a menace and I can't even go outside where I stay. People are after me seeking help from me," he added.
We have heard of many rags to riches stories of celebrities. Some downplay it, while some have hidden it well under the name 'glamour'. Ed Sheeran, 'SHAPE OF YOU' singer, had slept in subway to become a superstar that he is today. He didn't have anywhere to sleep or stay and would sleep in London subways. He almost gave up his music career. He had breakthrough and finally got a contract with Asylum Records. He revealed to media about his claustrophobia and how he has cut most people from his life due to mental health struggles. Money comes in different forms!
This might have looked ostentatious on others but Anoop carried it with humility. Although Anoop’s dismal in this regard might appear like a storm in a teacup, the psychological effects are real. We shouldn’t be much distracted by what money means but be content with the life we have. There is an interesting thing about happiness. We don't know what we have until it's gone!
(Inputs from various media sources)
