Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Oct 11: The second prize of this year’s Onam bumper lottery of Rs 1 crore has been won by a woman who purchased her ticket from the Stree Shakti lottery agency in Talapady, owned by K R Kanakdas.
Kanakdas, the owner of the agency, said he would not disclose the name and address of the winner, as she is a lone woman. This is the sixth bumper prize won by a person who purchased their lottery ticket from Kanakdas’s shop.
Over the past 30 years, six people have won Kerala state lottery prizes from tickets sold by Kanakdas’s Stree Shakti agency. Among them, four people won Rs one crore, while two others won Rs 75 lac and Rs 80 lac, respectively. The 2024 winner, a woman, purchased her ticket from Gayathri, a staff member at the Stree Shakti shop. The woman expressed her gratitude to Gayathri immediately after learning about her win.
Kanakdas, reflecting on his journey, said, “I came to Talapady many years ago with nothing but a lungi and started my business with one shop. Today, I have three shops and have provided employment to seven people. I was able to establish myself here due to the support and cooperation of people from all religions in Talapady. So far, I have not faced any problems. Many have won prizes from my shop due to the good wishes of the community. Every winner is able to withdraw the prize money through the Manjeshwar cooperative bank, and I am grateful to the bank’s staff for their assistance.”
He also expressed his appreciation for the previous and current owners of the shop building. “Both Ravindra Shetty and the present owner have taken care of me. Earlier, Kerala lottery tickets could only be sold within Kerala. However, during Oommen Chandy’s tenure as Kerala’s chief minister, lottery agents appealed in a meeting, and now people from other states can also purchase tickets. I strictly follow government regulations and only sell Palakkad division lottery tickets.”
Gayathri, the staff member of Stree Shakti agency who sold the winning ticket, shared her joy: “I am very happy that the woman to whom I sold the ticket has won Rs one crore. She has expressed her gratitude to me. Kanakdas’s shop has a history of winning prizes. I used to work as a cashier in shops and hotels, but I have been working with Kanakdas for many years now.”
Kamalaksha, a local auto driver, said, “Kanakdas has made significant progress in his business and is now involved in social activities. He also responds to the concerns of auto-rickshaw drivers and is very popular in Talapady. If you buy a lottery ticket from his shop, at least a small prize is guaranteed. One of my friends won Rs 5,000 recently. I have known him for the past 30 years, and he is a hard worker.”
Satish, another auto-rickshaw driver, recalled, “Kanakdas used to sell lottery tickets on the roadside. After winning Rs one crore twice, he opened two shops. The locals have benefited from the employment opportunities these shops have provided. Everyone is happy.”
Basit, a local auto-rickshaw driver, noted, “Kanakdas mingles with people of all religions in a friendly manner. He helps others and runs his business with integrity. That’s why people who buy lottery tickets from him often win prizes. Many auto drivers, including myself, have won small prizes, and we are his regular customers.”
Kunjalikutto, a shop owner from Talapady, added, “Kanakdas’s shop only sells Palakkad division lottery tickets, while others sell from the Kannur division. Since most of the winning tickets come from the Palakkad division, his customers often win prizes. He started his business in a small rented room, and now he has three shops. I, too, have won small prizes from tickets bought at his shop, and I dream of winning Rs one crore in the future.”