Chief Minister presents one-gram gold rings to babies at Government Rajaji Hospital, interacts with families during first Madurai visit
Madurai, Sept 2026 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday launched the Thai Maaman Gold Ring Scheme at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, presenting one-gram gold rings to newborn babies and interacting with their families.
The scheme provides one-gram gold rings to eligible babies born in government hospitals across Tamil Nadu. The initiative is intended to celebrate newborns and encourage public confidence in government healthcare institutions.
Wearing a white veshti and shirt, Vijay began the distribution ceremony by placing gold rings on the fingers of three babies on the stage. Their mothers were seated beside him as he carefully presented the rings and conveyed his wishes to the families.
The Chief Minister then stepped down from the stage and met 12 other families seated with their infants in the auditorium. He handed over rings, held several babies in his arms and spoke with their parents.
During the interaction, some parents requested Vijay to name their newborns. He accepted their requests, held the infants and repeated each chosen name three times, following the traditional naming practice.
The Chief Minister also posed for selfies and shook hands with mothers who approached him during the programme.
Vijay later visited the hospital’s Integrated Child Development Ward, where he presented gold rings to another 10 newborn babies. Doctors and medical staff were present as he interacted with the children and their parents.
The ceremony marked the formal launch of the state government’s newborn gold ring programme. According to the government, children born in government hospitals from June 22, 2026, are eligible for the benefit, with the rings carrying unique serial numbers and being provided in tamper-proof packaging.
The scheme was announced in the state’s 2026-27 Budget, with an allocation of Rs 560 crore. It is named after the Tamil tradition of Thai Maaman Seer, under which a maternal uncle presents gifts to a newborn.
The Madurai event was the main engagement of Vijay’s visit to the city. He arrived at Madurai airport from Chennai at around 11 a.m., where party workers and supporters gathered to welcome him.
As his convoy travelled towards Government Rajaji Hospital, residents and supporters lined major junctions, cheered and showered flowers on the vehicles.
On reaching the hospital, Vijay walked from his vehicle to the programme venue amid cheers. He stopped several times to greet people, including hospital employees, and posed for photographs with some of them.
Nurses and paramedical staff stationed at different points on the hospital premises also greeted the Chief Minister and took photographs on their mobile phones as he passed.
Inside the hospital, the focus shifted to the newborns and their families as Vijay distributed the first rings under the Thai Maaman Gold Ring Scheme, marking the beginning of its implementation across the state.
