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Vijay gifts gold rings to newborn babies during Tamil Nadu scheme launch. (Img: X)
Madurai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday launched the Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam, a special welfare programme that will provide one-gram gold rings to eligible newborn babies born in government hospitals across the state.
The scheme was launched at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, where Vijay personally met newborn babies, interacted with mothers and handed over gold rings to beneficiaries. The emotional moments from the launch event attracted widespread attention as the actor-turned-politician marked the implementation of one of his government’s major election promises.
The initiative aims to celebrate motherhood, support newborn children and encourage more families to choose government healthcare institutions for childbirth.
Under the scheme, babies born in Tamil Nadu government hospitals on or after June 22, 2026, will be eligible for the benefit. The date has a special connection with Chief Minister Vijay’s birthday.
The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 755.83 crore for the Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam.
Officials said the first phase of the scheme has already begun, with around 1.28 lakh gold rings procured for distribution among eligible newborn babies.
The rings provided under the scheme will be made of 22-carat gold and will be BIS hallmarked to ensure quality standards.
According to the state government, each ring will have a unique serial number and will be packed in tamper-proof packaging before distribution.
The government logo and scheme-related identification details will also be included as part of the initiative.
The launch event at Government Rajaji Hospital became the centre of attention after Vijay personally presented gold rings to newborn babies.
The Chief Minister was seen spending time with infants and meeting new mothers during the programme.
The Madurai launch was selected as the starting point of the statewide rollout. TVK leaders said the city was chosen because of its cultural importance and connection with Tamil traditions.
During his Madurai visit, Vijay also had other engagements, including visits related to heritage and public programmes.
The scheme will benefit eligible newborn babies delivered in Tamil Nadu government hospitals.
Mothers must be permanent residents of Tamil Nadu and should have registration under the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) system along with a valid Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) ID. The scheme covers babies born from June 22, 2026.
To manage the initial backlog of eligible children born between the announcement date and launch day, the government has created a distribution network through 107 centres across Tamil Nadu. Each centre will distribute gold rings to around 100 babies every day during the initial phase.
For babies born after the official launch, the gold ring will be handed over during discharge from government hospitals, according to government guidelines.
The Tamil Nadu government has positioned the initiative as a social welfare programme aimed at improving maternal healthcare and encouraging institutional deliveries.
Officials believe the symbolic gold gift will motivate families to choose government hospitals for childbirth while strengthening public trust in state healthcare services.
The name Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam refers to the traditional role of a maternal uncle, who is often considered an important emotional support figure during childbirth celebrations.
TVK leaders said the scheme represents the government’s effort to create a bond between public welfare initiatives and family support systems.
Soon after the launch, the welfare initiative became a subject of political debate in Tamil Nadu. BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan questioned the government’s priorities and raised concerns over issues related to milk availability in the state.
She argued that essential nutritional requirements for children should receive attention before symbolic gifts such as gold jewellery. The BJP leader also highlighted concerns over milk supply and affordability, saying basic needs remain an important issue for families.
DMK leader TKS Elangovan also criticised the scheme, arguing that a gold ring would not provide direct relief to ordinary people facing challenges such as rising prices and financial pressure. The criticism has created a wider discussion over whether welfare schemes should focus more on symbolic benefits or essential services.
The scheme has also raised practical questions among healthcare professionals. The Service Doctors and Post Graduate Association expressed concerns about the responsibility of storing gold rings inside hospitals.
Doctors said maintaining security arrangements for valuable items could add extra pressure on medical institutions already managing healthcare responsibilities. The association suggested that alternative methods, including distribution through banks, could be explored to avoid disruption in hospital operations.
The TVK government has stated that legal consultations were completed before launching the scheme and that necessary arrangements would be made for proper implementation.
The Chief Minister’s Madurai visit witnessed extensive security arrangements. More than 2,000 police personnel were deployed from Madurai city and nearby districts.
Authorities implemented a multi-layer security system, including restrictions on drone activities and additional monitoring around key locations. The large security deployment reflected the public attention surrounding Vijay’s first major welfare scheme launch after assuming office.
The launch of the Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam marks a significant step in Vijay’s welfare-focused governance strategy. For TVK, the scheme represents the implementation of a major electoral commitment and an attempt to build a direct connection with families through public programmes.
Supporters view the initiative as a symbolic gesture celebrating newborn children and motherhood, while critics continue to question the financial priorities behind the scheme. The future impact of the programme will depend on its implementation, beneficiary response and whether it succeeds in encouraging more families to use government healthcare facilities.
