Delhi scribe hits Rs 45 cr jackpot

Delhi scribe hits Rs 45 cr jackpot
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, OCT 20: Move over Harshvardhan Nawathe, Mohammed Kareem Basha is here, a new `crorepati' of the dollar variety.

This Delhi-based parliamentary reporter has beaten Mumbai's (Kaun Banega) `Crorepati' 45 times over by winning a staggering ten million US dollars in the `superbucks' jackpot of Freelotto.com, a stake-free website.

However, unlike the IAS aspirant who got a cheque for Rs one crore from superstar Amitabh Bachchan on Thursday night, Basha will have to wait for an excruciatingly long 30 years to get the final installment of the prize money.

"I was simply thrilled and elevated when I heard the news. It is all God's grace," 58-year old Basha, a native of Bellary in Karnataka, told newsmen here today.

Basha, an avid internet surfer, played the game on September 28 and came to know of the results the very next day.

"The prize money is being processed. Last week the organisers had asked me for an affidavit and now I am waiting for the money," said an impatient Basha.

Though happy with his luck, Basha rues that the prize will be given in annual installments spread over 30 years.

His immediate plans include clearing of all the debts, setting up an advertisement agency for his son, who is a graphic artist, and of course purchasing a car, which he had always wanted to own.

A devout Muslim, he also plans to go on `Haj' and do some charitable work "but first come my immediate plans."