Chennai:
Newborns in Tamil Nadu will be greeted upon arrival with "Amma Baby Care Kits", named after Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, whose government has flooded the state with Amma-branded subsidized salt, canteens, seeds, medicines and more, all available at heavily discounted rates. (
Jayalalithaa Orders Setting up of 360 More Amma Canteens)
The Amma Baby Care Kit, worth Rs 1,000, will be provided at all government hospitals. The 16 items include a towel, nail clipper, doll, hand sanitizer and soap. (
Jayalalithaa's one-rupee idlis now in Delhi)
Amma means mother and for Tamil Nadu, the latest scheme has a happy double meaning.
Amma is also the fond name given to the chief minister by her party, the AIADMK.
Ms Jayalalithaa said the scheme launched today will cost the Tamil Nadu government Rs 67 crore a year and will benefit 6.7 lakh children. (
Amma Medicines, Anyone? Jayalalithaa's 'Balm' For the Poor)
Her party, the AIADMK, won a massive mandate in state elections held in 2011 and Ms Jayalalithaa returned for her third term as chief minister of the state. Since then she has clearly cemented her popularity, winning 37 of the state's 39 Lok Sabha seats in national elections held in May this year. (
What makes Jayalalithaa's 'Amma' canteens so successful)