Ramakrishnan hits the jackpot on April 1

GURUVAYUR: It was a customary service for Ramakrishnan. On April 1, lottery vendor Ravi, as usual, reached his tea shop and ordered for a strong tea. Rest is the replica of a comedy scene in the movie ‘Kilukkam’ starring Innocent and Revathy. Ravi went through the newspaper and with a soothing smile and excitement announced Ramakrishnan as the winner of the ‘Karunya Lottery’ with a prize money of `1 crore. Ravi clarified that the ticket he sold to Ramakrishnan on March 31 has got the first prize.Ramakrishnan could not believe it. Obvious! that was April fool’s day! He uttered the same dialogue by actor Innocent in the movie Kilukkam, “Ithokke kure kettittundu..” (this is not new for me..)! But he had really won the prize.  A regular buyer of Kerala state lotteries, 48-year-old Ramakrishnan, who runs a small tea shop in Kandanassery village, finally became the winner of `1 crore lottery!He was a daily wage sanitary worker four years ago. The cardiac problems compelled him not to take up  laborious works. Ramakrishnan’s tea shop is a shelter for the lottery vendors and they sit there for chatting and having tea. Naturally, Ramakrishnan became an addict of lottery. Previously he got a prize money of `15,000.But the story got a twist. When he called the manager of HDFC Bank, Chavakkad, and informed the fact he shouted: “Please do not fool me! This is the end of financial year.. do not disturb us!” Ramakrishnan’s son Renjith is an employee at the bank. The manager thought Ramakrishnan is kidding him on April fool’s day!Ramakrishnan’s wife Janaki is a housemaid. Another son Rejith works at Lulu Hotel. Now Ramakrishnan is confused and tensed. He does not know what to do with the money. Anyhow, he says he will never wind up the tea shop.