Fortune has showered its blessings on 11 women municipality workers in Kerala, who have jointly won Rs 10 crore state government's monsoon bumper lottery this year. Part of the Haritha Kerala Mission, the ladies have joy writ large on their faces at this unexpected turn of luck. Even as they stand to receive substantial amounts in their bank accounts, they have chosen to remain grounded, and will continue with their regular job.
When the winners were announced, the 11 women of the Haritha Karma Sena, green force of the Parappanangadi Municipality in Malappuram district, was shocked and overwhelmed with joy at the same time. They had jointly bought the Rs 250 ticket.
“We have bought tickets earlier too by pooling and borrowing money from others. But this is the first time we have won a huge amount. It is still unbelievable,” Radha, who bought the ticket by pooling the money, told reporters.
When it was told that the ticket from Palakkad had won the first prize it was kind of disappointing. “The excitement and happiness knew no bounds when we finally came to know that we hit the jackpot. All of us are facing hardships in life and the money will be a relief to some extent to solve our problems,” said another woman.
The Kerala lottery Department following a draw announced the winners on Wednesday.
The women are part of the Haritha Keralam Mission, an initiative for a garbage-free Kerala. Haritha Karma Sena collects non-biodegradable waste from houses and establishments to shredding units for recycling. It is part of the state's Kudumbashree Mission.
The winning ticket MB200261 was submitted at the Punjab National Bank branch in Parappanangadi and the amount will be deposited in one of the winner's accounts after deducting income tax and agent commission.
Working for a meagre amount, these women have a tough time managing their lives. However, despite winning the jackpot they all are determined to continue their work.
“We have not decided yet what to do with the money. Each of us have our own personal financial difficulties. We have been doing this work for sometime now and it has helped us run our families. We will not leave our jobs. We will continue to work here,” Radha told reporters when she was asked whether she would quit her job.
Meanwhile, Sheeja, the chairman of Haritha Karma Sena consortium at the Municipality, said the luck smiled on the most deserving people this time.
"Many have debts to pay... have daughters to marry off... or have to meet the treatment expenditure of near ones. They are living in very humble households fighting harsh realities of life," Sheeja told PTI.
She also added that the winners are very hardworking and only source of income for their families.
