A woman from Punjab’s Faridkot district has won Rs 1 crore in a lottery after spending just Rs 7 on a ticket during a routine shopping trip. For Bimla Devi, a resident of Kotkapura, the unexpected windfall could open up new possibilities for her family, including better opportunities for her children. Devi had stepped out to buy clothes for her children when she decided to try her luck. She purchased a ticket in a Sikkim government lottery from the Star Lottery Stall near the railway station on Railway Road. The purchase, made just a day before the results were announced, turned out to be worth far more than she could have imagined. According to reports by Punjab Newsline and NDTV, the family learnt about the win after the lottery results were declared the following evening.
How Bimla Devi discovered her Rs 1 crore lottery win
Devi initially kept the ticket at home, unaware that it would bring her such a large prize. She later contacted the lottery seller to check the result, and that was when she received the news. Speaking to NDTV, she recalled going out to shop for clothes before deciding to buy the ticket.
“I had come to buy some clothes. I felt like buying a lottery ticket. I bought it and kept it at home. I called the lottery man and he told me that I have won the lottery,” she said. When asked how much she had spent on the ticket, Devi replied that it had cost her just Rs 7. Her reaction to the unexpected win was simple: “I am very happy.”
The news quickly spread through the neighbourhood. Relatives, neighbours and local residents joined the celebrations, with family members dancing bhangra to mark the occasion.
What does she want to do with the prize money?
For Devi and her family, the win could mean a significant change in their financial circumstances. Her husband works as a daily-wage labourer, making the prize particularly important for a household looking for greater financial security. Devi spoke about her hopes of improving her family's life and finding employment opportunities for her children.
“I have a lot of money. I will get a job. I will get a job for my son,” she told NDTV. She also expressed relief and gratitude after the win, saying, “God has heard my prayers. I will make a good life.”
However, the family has not yet decided exactly how to use the money. Devi said she had not finalised any plans, adding that the decision was still to be discussed. According to local media reports, the family is considering setting up a small business for their children. Such a venture could provide an additional source of income and help them build a more stable future.
Lottery win is also special for the ticket seller
The win has also marked an important milestone for Monga, who runs the lottery stall where Devi purchased her ticket. According to NDTV, Monga had been operating the lottery business for around six months. During that period, he had sold tickets that won prizes worth lakhs of rupees, but the Rs 1 crore prize was a first for his stall since it moved to its location near the railway station. The winning ticket has brought attention to the shop and given the family a reason to celebrate with the wider community.