Madurai, 28 Sept (H.S.): Newborns at Government Rajaji Hospital received one-gram gold rings from Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday as he inaugurated Tamil Nadu’s Thai Maaman Gold Ring Scheme. The launch brought him face to face with the babies and their families.

Dressed in a white veshti and shirt, Vijay invited three mothers to sit beside him on stage. He placed a ring on each baby’s finger and offered his wishes before stepping down to meet other parents in the auditorium.

Twelve families waited there with their infants. Vijay handed over the rings, lifted several babies into his arms and spoke with the mothers. When some parents asked him to name their children, he agreed, repeating each name three times in the customary manner.

He paused for selfies and shook hands with mothers. The interactions continued at the hospital’s Integrated Child Development Ward, where he presented rings to 10 more babies in the presence of doctors and talked with their parents.

Under the scheme, babies born in government hospitals are to receive a one-gram gold ring. Monday’s ceremony at Rajaji Hospital marked its launch, with the families attending the event among the first recipients.

Vijay flew in from Chennai and reached Madurai airport at about 11 am. Hundreds of party cadres welcomed him there. More supporters and members of the public gathered at major junctions as his convoy headed to the hospital, cheering and showering flowers on the vehicles.

At the hospital, Vijay stepped out of his vehicle and walked towards the function venue. He stopped to greet people and hospital employees, posing for photographs with some of them.

Nurses and paramedical staff took pictures on their phones as he passed. Inside, Vijay spent the launch meeting the newborns and their families.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman