Lotteries Department plans get-together

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a few days, the capital city will host the lucky rich, if a novel idea of the Lotteries Department clicks. The Lotteries Department is organising a gettogether of the first prize winners since the setting up of the Department in 1967. The officials have started preparations for this one-of-its-kind event scheduled to be held here on March 20.

�We have sent invitations to around 650 addresses provided by our prize section. Since we are not sure about how many would turn up, we have decided to personally invite the bumper prize winners of the years 2008 and 2009. The respective district lottery offices have been given directives to this effect.

Their number would come to around 15 to 18,� an official of the Department said.

The Department has given advertisements inviting the winners to be part of the event and March 10 has been given as the last date for registering their names. �It seems many are reluctant.

However, we are going ahead with the plan. We will be inviting their families too. They will be even provided travel allowances,� said official. The event has been planned as part of the Departments drive to reach out to more people. �Nobody has enquired about what happened to the winners after they received the money.

We are not getting an overwhelming response, may be, because many don�t want to come in the limelight,� another official said.