An Indian-origin convenience store owner in the US has become a celebrity overnight after he received a lottery of USD 1 million as part of a record jackpot on Wednesday.
Balbir Atwal received the amount after he sold one of the three Powerball winning lotteries with a record jackpot of USD 1.6 billion.
Atwal received a USD 1 million cheque as retailer bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Lottery officials confirmed one jackpot-winning ticket was sold at Atwal's store located at Chino Hills in California. Two others were sold in Tennessee and Florida.
Atwal said he was surprised to learn his store was one of the lucky ones, calling the group of revellers "a big family."
"I didn't believe it and then I looked at it carefully again," Atwal said.
City officials described Atwal as a cornerstone in the community, after he was among the first business owners to set up shop in the city after its incorporation.
Atwal said he planned to give a part of his winnings to charity and share the rest with his employees and family.
"This is a land of opportunity," said Atwal.