Madurai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday launched the Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam, a scheme providing one-gram gold rings to eligible newborns delivered at government hospitals and primary health centres across the state.
The scheme was launched at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, where Vijay personally presented gold rings to newborn babies and interacted with their families.
Dressed in a white veshti and shirt, the Chief Minister placed rings on the fingers of three babies on stage in the presence of their mothers. He later met additional families seated in the auditorium and handed over rings to their newborns.
The scheme provides a one-gram, 22-carat gold ring to eligible babies. The government has said the initiative is intended to celebrate childbirth, honour motherhood and encourage families to choose government healthcare facilities for deliveries.
Who is eligible?
The scheme covers eligible babies born in government hospitals and government primary health centres from June 22, 2026. Mothers must meet the prescribed residency and registration requirements, including registration under the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) system and possession of a Reproductive and Child Health ID.
The state has procured 1.28 lakh rings for the first phase. Each ring carries a unique serial number and is supplied in tamper-proof packaging. The government has allocated an annual outlay of around Rs 755.83 crore for the scheme.
The scheme was originally scheduled for launch earlier in September but was subsequently postponed to September 28. Monday's event in Madurai marked its formal rollout.
Vijay's visit to Rajaji Hospital
During his visit, Vijay also interacted with parents and hospital staff. Some parents reportedly requested him to name their newborns, and he accepted their requests.
The Chief Minister later visited the hospital's child development facilities and presented rings to additional newborns.
His arrival in Madurai was accompanied by crowds of supporters and residents along parts of the route from the airport to the hospital.
The Thai Maaman scheme takes its name from the traditional Tamil role of the maternal uncle, who is associated with giving gifts to a newborn. Under the government programme, the state has adopted this cultural tradition as part of its welfare initiative.
