Chennai: Tamil Nadu govt will launch the ‘Thaaimaaman Thanga Mothiram’ scheme on Sept 15, coinciding with the birth anniversary of former chief minister C N Annadurai, with an annual allocation of ₹755.83 crore for its implementation.The scheme was one of the key promises outlined in TVK’s manifesto released ahead of the 2026 assembly election. The govt on Tuesday issued orders to operationalise the programme and directed officials to immediately float tenders for procurement of the gold rings.Under the scheme, every child born in govt hospitals to families permanently residing in Tamil Nadu will receive a one gram gold ring. Children born on or after June 22 this year will be eligible for the benefit and will receive the ring after the formal launch of the scheme.The initiative is aimed at honouring both the newborn and the mother while also encouraging institutional deliveries in govt hospitals. Tamil Nadu has implemented several maternal and child welfare programmes over the years, including financial assistance for pregnant women, free delivery services, emergency obstetric care, nutrition support and the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) system.The govt said in a release that the scheme draws inspiration from the Tamil cultural tradition of ‘thaai maaman seer’, under which a maternal uncle presents gifts to welcome a newborn. Through the initiative, the state will symbolically assume the role of the maternal uncle and present the gold ring as a gesture of care and welcome to every child born in a govt hospital.
