Authorities in India’s Tamil Nadu state gave babies born in government-run hospitals a free gold ring on Monday, an initiative aimed at boosting confidence in the public healthcare system.

Under the scheme launched by actor-turned-Chief Minister Vijay, all babies born in public health facilities in the state are eligible for a one-gramme gold ring, worth some $143.

Gold has immense cultural significance in India, featuring prominently in weddings and religious ceremonies, and seen as a safe generational asset.

“The gold ring would give the child something valuable to keep for the years ahead,” said one mother at a government hospital in the state’s Madurai district, who declined to give her name.

She was among dozens of mothers who cradled their newborns as they queued up to receive the gift.

“This scheme feels personal,” another grateful mother, Stella Mary, told AFP.

Officials say the initiative aims to highlight maternal and newborn care, while strengthening faith in public healthcare institutions in the southern state of over 72 million people.

The scheme, however, drew some criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is in the opposition in Tamil Nadu.

“A gold ring for a newborn may be a welcome gesture, but for families, the most immediate need is ensuring that essential nutrition is available every day,” party member Tamilisai Soundararajan said in a social media post.

India’s overcrowded public hospitals often struggle with staff shortages, long waiting times and patchy infrastructure, prompting many patients to seek treatment in the costly private sector.

While most women in India give birth in hospitals, home deliveries still occur in some rural communities, making institutional childbirth a priority for health authorities.

Despite significant gains in recent years, infant and maternal mortality rates continue to languish in India.

The country recorded 24 infant deaths per 1,000 live births while maternal deaths stood at 88 per 100,000 live births, according to latest official data.

The gold ring scheme, known as the “Thaimaman” (maternal uncle) programme, draws on the special cultural significance of a child’s maternal uncle, who is often expected to play a key role in family milestones and celebrations.

It also taps into India’s enduring obsession with gold.

For many women, particularly in rural areas, gold jewellery can serve as a form of personal financial security.

India is one of the world’s largest consumers of the metal. According to the World Gold Council, demand in the country reached $25 billion in the first quarter of this year.