In a beautiful display of community care and festive spirit, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin kicked off the distribution of Pongal gift hampers to millions of families across the state on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The launch event took place at a fair price shop on Butt Road in Alandur, Chennai, marking the beginning of a five-day celebration of generosity that will touch countless lives.

The thoughtfully curated Pongal gift hamper brings together everything needed for a joyful harvest festival celebration. Each family will receive one kilogram of raw rice, one kilogram of sugar, a full sugarcane stalk symbolizing prosperity and sweetness, and 3,000 rupees in cash support to help with additional festival expenses. This comprehensive approach ensures that every household can participate fully in the cherished Pongal traditions.

The scale of this initiative is truly remarkable, reaching an impressive 2,22,91,710 rice ration card holders throughout Tamil Nadu. The program's inclusive vision extends warmly to Sri Lankan Tamil families residing in rehabilitation camps, ensuring that everyone in the community can share in the festive joy regardless of their circumstances.

Adding to the celebration, the state government is simultaneously distributing traditional festival attire through its free dhoti and sari scheme. Over 1.77 crore saris and an equal number of dhotis are being made available through ration shops, allowing families to dress in new clothes for the auspicious occasion. This thoughtful addition honors the cultural significance of wearing new garments during festivals while supporting the dignity and happiness of every family.

The government has organized the distribution with efficiency and care, issuing tokens to eligible cardholders specifying the date and time for collection. This systematic approach, spread over five days until January 12, ensures smooth operations and allows families to collect their hampers conveniently without long waits.

The launch event brought together several distinguished ministers and officials who share the vision of inclusive celebration. State Minister for Cooperation K.R. Periakaruppan, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises T.M. Anbarasan, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R. Sakkarapani, and Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian attended alongside Members of Parliament T.R. Baalu and Thamizhachi Thangapandian, along with senior government officials.

This Pongal gift distribution reflects a compassionate approach to governance that recognizes festivals as important moments for community bonding and cultural celebration. By ensuring that financial constraints don't prevent any family from participating in the harvest festival, the Tamil Nadu government is strengthening social bonds and spreading happiness across communities.

As families across Tamil Nadu prepare their traditional Pongal dishes and welcome the new harvest season, these gift hampers will enable millions to celebrate with abundance and joy, creating warm memories that will last far beyond the festival days.