Tamil Nadu chief minister to unveil newborn gold ring program in Madurai on Sept. 28

Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay is set to roll out the Thaimaaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam, a maternal uncle gold ring scheme, in Madurai on September 28. The initiative, originally slated for September 15 to coincide with former chief minister C N Annadurai's birth anniversary, was postponed while Vijay was abroad in the United Kingdom. The scheme will award a one-gram, 22-carat gold ring, sealed in tamper-proof packaging and bearing a unique serial number, to every child born in a government hospital from June 22, 2026, a date that also marks Vijay's birthday.

An annual budget of Rs 755.83 crore has been earmarked to supply 4.41 lakh rings, with the first 1.28 lakh units already ready for distribution. Procurement was handled by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation, sourcing rings from Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers in a 70:30 split. The program was a key pledge of Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election.