Ihsan Khan, an Urdu-Pushto-speaking Pakistani taxi driver, emigrated from Pakistan to the United States in 1977. He often slept in his cab, but one thing that always gave him hope was a fortune cookie message that he kept; it said, "Among winners, you are the chosen one." The fortune was right; he was chosen to win $55.2 million in the lottery in November, 2001.
Ihsan was living in Washington, DC at the time of his win, but ended up moving back to his hometown of Batagram in Pakistan. There, he was elected nazim, the equivalent of a mayor. He was outspoken and a big critic of the government and army.
Following a major earthquake in 2005, his hometown of Batagram was left in ruins. 4500 people died in the earthquake (the quake killed 87,000 people altogether). He used his own money to help rebuild the town. Ihsan Khan was considered a local hero.
This is one case of a lottery winner using his money for the greater good.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Ihsan Khan - Urdu-Pushto-Speaking Pakistani Taxi Driver Kept Fortune Cookie
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tino Sundin
Posted by: Tino Sundin
Updated at: Wednesday, January 21, 2009
