TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa man is a millionaire after he struck the Florida Lottery's $14.5 million dollar jackpot, and he plans to use his windfall to help less fortunate children in his home country of India.
Krishna Barri said he doesn't play the lottery that often but sometimes he will buy a handful of tickets.
For the drawing on December 1, he played 10 tickets at the Zephyrhills Publix Liquor Store and hit the jackpot.
"21-30-39-44-45-46. I won't forget those numbers anymore," said Barri.
Barri said those numbers didn't mean anything when he chose them, but they do now.
"I started looking at the tickets, the first ticket, second ticket, third ticket. Oh my god, that's it! It was an amazing feeling," said Barri. "I called my wife. I said, 'We got the lottery!' and she said, 'Wow, are you kidding me?' I said, 'No. That's true!'"
Now, he plans to pay it forward.
"I'm going to open a trust in India, and I'm going to provide an education for 100 people," said Barri.
With financial support from his brother-in-law, Barri came to the U.S. from India nearly 20 years ago to study at USF.
"I came here to do my masters. I struggled. I did the part-time jobs. I worked for a bookstore," said Barri. "I worked at the Sun Dome, standing in the parking lot for 12 hours working for $6.25."
He says he will return to India before the end of the year to help others in his brother-in-law's name.
"He's not here anymore to celebrate with me, but the trust is going to be in his name," said Barri.
While Barri and his family have a lot more cushion to live with now, he told his IT business partner that he still planned to work.
"I said the dollar that I bought the ticket came from that job. I have to respect that," said Barri.
As for what he plans to do for himself and his family, Barri said he plans to buy a new house and cars for himself and his wife, and he will put aside college money for his children.
So glad this hard working individual is paying it forward.
You know what? Another feel good story!!
Good for him.
Now I just hope this doesn't appear in the Systems forum;
Krishna Barri said he doesn't play the lottery that often but sometimes he will buy a handful of tickets.
He picked 100 kids, probably from the town he grew up in. That shouldn't impact him that much given the poverty in that country. Nevertheless, hats off to the guy.
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OK Lottery Post folks, so an Indian gentleman has won a ton of money, and plans to send it home to India for education purposes. OK, that's to be applauded. He wants a future for the kids coming from there.
But that's just it, anyone coming from there (India), must have the means to come to The U.S.A., where they'll become Scientists, Programmers, Lawyers, Doctors, etc., Anyway, OK. It's nothing new.
Except now, they get a ton more money to prepare
even more people for the wide-eyed prospect of coming over here:
To practice even more law for the defense of criminals.
To possibly find new opportunities to wedge they're way into this or that
government agency, including probably to invade and benefit from Medicare, etc.
I certainly don't blame any valid need for people who are in true need of such services.
To increase the commerce going back to his home town of India - but truly for which purpose? For making an example for the poor souls already there and benefiting only a few. And I mean a few (because aren't they on par with China, about a couple billion people?
So, If so, how far is $14 million going to go?
( I feel what he's proposing is meant to sound as a humble endeavor.
But, is it going to be?) "Who cares?" you may ask?
Only the people who are congratulating him/wishing him well, under these particular circumstances. I too wish him well, but the rest of us have to come to
a sobering realization: which is basically India's problems (see above) aside from the education status that everyone thinks they know about. I've actually been told by one person from India, online, regarding some catastrophe, in another country. It happened a long time ago, but one statement they made to me was to the effect of:
". . . this is why the education here (in India),
is more strict than in other countries. . ."
Now, do you all buy that about the education level in India, or, are you more apt to believe the lucky and blessed gentleman who won the $14 million?
I have, on more than one occasion, here, indicated that I'd make a donation to at least 2 childrens' hospitals, in the unlikely event that I win any kind of lotto, and/or any significant prize. And, like millions of people, I too spend money best saved for my own future/self. But, am I myself missing an arm or a leg, or born with any disabling deformity?
(The answer, unfortunately is yes, although I can walk, talk, see and hear, like most anyone.
I can drive a car/motorcycle. At one time, even a big truck. One thing I want to do should I win is get a Porsche.) Anyway . . . . .
So, my donation to the childrens' groups would be purely that.
No possibility for me to benefit from any proceeds, except for whatever tax breaks Uncle Sam would have set aside for me.
So, those things of which I think all should be aware.
Fortunately I have a great admiration for Indian (except for the cow thing, and the monkey thing: where monkey's, cows, and cobras are considered holy,over there).
Have you ever met an Indian pan-handler? Kind of like a Chinese or Japanese pan-handler, right? There's no such thing. But, in Bangladesh for one, there are no less than 5 rapes per day. I'm sure the scenario is repeated in other places of India, as well.
So, is this significant prize going to be spent on text books, notebooks and computers? Or is a large part of it, to be used for "fixing" the county in other ways, as described?
Mr. Groppo
Krishna Barri said he will help 100 people. He did not say how much money he will give to this Trust. Funding the Trust. Every little bit helps. Drop by Drop creates bucket fulls.
His plans for a new house, cars, and college are to be commended. The Curse of the Lottery will not be found in Krishna's home. Congratulations!
@ Groppo sorry I dont understand your comment of 5 rapes a day being relevant... Bangladesh population 165 million... USA population 326 million... we all know that unfortunately far more than 10 women a day are assaulted in the US... so I just don't get your comment..... we (usa) certainly have a long way to go when it comes to the assault that takes place on women everyday !
Congrats to the winner. If only we could all be so lucky =>
Good luck everyone :]
5 rapes takes place in india NOT Bangladesh...And still india is way behind US in terms of rape
And between you need a geography lesson because Bangladesh is a DIFFERENT country..NOT part of india...ITS NOT ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND...
Money WON in the United States, should be SPENT in the United States. Plus, make sure he didn't run any scams to win- certain people are good at running lottery scams.
oprah winfrey and bill gates donated millions of dollars for education in africa and india and asian countries,did you write a letter to them that money should be spent in usa. what makes you think he run a lottery scam to win this lottery money , why dont you run a scam and win some money , or you are a jealous man that you didnt win
So, you’re saying a winner should be restricted in how they spend their money. you’re saying a winner should not take a dream trip to Paris or Italy, for example, because they would have to spend money outside the US on food, lodging, excursions, etc. Hmmm, sounds like sour grapes; glad you don’t get to make the rules.
MC, I will have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. If I purchase a product made in China or the Philippines or if I buy certain foods that aren't produced in the CA or HI (like coffee)then isn't part of my funds going back to that certain part of the world ?
I have serious doubts that he scammed the Florida Lottery Commission. They are an extremely well run/protected organization with checks and balances in place to ensure the products they put out are legitimate.
It's the winner's choice to do what he/she pleases with whatever finances they win. That's the beauty of a free society like ours. You don't have any problems with non residents/tourists purchasing tickets for various lotteries and NOT winning, do you ?
He is buying a new house and cars....probably right here in the good ole USA
Best of luck to you in the upcoming draws and Merry Christmas
"certain people are good at running lottery scams. "
And certain people are morons who jump to conclusions despite a complete lack of evidence.
Isn't India in Indiana?
The Dixie Chicks should have been sorry YOU'RE from Texas. I'm not sorry for you, just a little embarrassed by "certain people".
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To: NEED200K
"5 rapes takes place in india NOT Bangladesh..."
AW, IT'S OK, I'M SURE OTHERS IN YOUR TOWN WERE ALSO THE RESULT OF RAPE.
Nobody in my town was.
Does it really make a difference where the 3rd world hovel of Bangladesh is pinpointed? I seem to have misplaced my magnifying glass, and can't find it.
Ah, THERE IT IS! Wedged in between two countries that no person in his or her right mind would ever want to go, anyway?
IS THAT THE ONE YOU MEANT??
Which is why everyone is fleeing from there.
So, if there isn't a point to your reply, I'm glad to have enlightened you, on the waste of resources it would be like the man in the article desires.
"And still india is way behind US in terms of rape"
How would you know? Oh, no, no, never mind,
We already established how you would know.
I've seen a graphic like that before. It was used when someone
< <
looked at himself in the nude in the mirror: >.>
"And between you need a geography lesson because Bangladesh is a DIFFERENT country..NOT part of india...ITS NOT ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND..."
I'm really impressed that you can name a couple countries outside of your hometown.
Mr. Groppo
Why don't more winners say "I'm discussing it with my financial adviser," or something equally bland and vague when asked what they are going to do with the money? Anything more specific than that invites criticism and gossip from the peanut gallery, as some replies in this thread demonstrate.
That is exactly what Marie Holmes did in her media availability interview. She has now successfully moved away and is enjoying her new life.
Thank God for 50 different States where you can hide and protect your loved ones.
I didn't know who this was so I googled "Marie Holmes lottery" and found tons of articles about her mess of a life after winning the lottery. Sounds like the opposite of discrete! Stuff about bailing her boyfriend "Hotsauce" out of jail several times and paying women to not sleep with him, lol.
But, some commenters here would consider that a good way to spend the money because it stays in the country as opposed to going to India.
Yes, oate, Marie Holmes taught many of us what not to do after winning.
Did you learn that it was Marie's Mom who picked the winning numbers and played them in Marie's name? Gotta love the Moms in this World. Their Mother, Daughter relationship is strong now.
Marie Holmes named her children as follows:
Tomato Sauce, Chilli Sauce, and the youngest is called Peanut sauce.
personally I'm kinda surprised Marie Holmes didn't wind up like Abraham Shakesphere
I'm really out of the loop on lotto winner celebrities. I think I'm better off not knowing about Abraham Shakespeare.
My philosophy is that I want to know all the past horror stories about winners. Knowledge is power and I consider it part of my lottery homework.
You are not alone with your philosophy. If it bleeds it leads. Looky Luus on the roadway.
Just as long as you are not jealous or envious of their horror stories.
I suppose after a major win one will be too busy with their wealth and not have time for all the bad stories.
There is another video of Callie Rogers on Youtube. I am happy for her that she survived her ordeals in life. She says she is now happy living a normal life now.
The U.S. has it right in prohibiting players that are under 18 years old. The U.K. allows anyone 16 years old or older to play.
Marie must have listened to the excellent advice to move away from her home State. She probably has a high school education. She has worked many different jobs and gained life experience with those.
Why would anyone be jealous or envious of a horror story??? It is called due diligence.
I looked up, "due diligence" online. You have used it appropriately. Thank You.
A winner must be prepared to win successfully.
Another word is, "Goal". Your financial adviser will ask about your goals for your winnings.
While it's a good thing to learn from one's mistakes, it's even better to learn from those of others.
I find that a common mistake new winners make is assuming that they will get the annuity or the whole cash value amount. They do not calculate the taxes still owed. Here is where a CPA will come in handy. Before you claim your prize.
Making promises and pledges to friends and family even before winning is another mistake.
Not creating financial goals to last your lifetime and beyond.
Past winners have made it difficult for future winners when they give too much away. The beggars assume all winners will do the same. Your financial advisers and the two-letter word "NO!" will be useful.
One needy comment could be, "You didn't earn it. What is yours is mine." Another comment is, "that money could pay off a lot of debt". Jack Whittaker heard, "I am going to lose my house. I need money to save it." Jack said Yes and it was a nightmare for him from then on.