Chennai: In a heartwarming departure from official protocol, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay stepped down from the dais to personally hand over a government appointment letter to a heavily pregnant candidate.

The gesture took place on Wednesday during a state government function organised at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai, where appointment orders were being distributed to 401 newly recruited candidates in the state's electricity department (Energy Department). The recruits included 383 assistant engineers (electrical) and 18 assistant accounts officers selected via the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).

During the event, as the name of Akshaya Lakshmi—one of the selected candidates—was called out, the Chief Minister noticed that she was in the advanced stages of pregnancy and would find it difficult to scale the stairs leading up to the main stage.
Brushing aside formal security and official protocol, Chief Minister Vijay immediately walked down from the stage to meet her on the main floor.


He presented her with the official induction order and extended his personal best wishes for a safe delivery, much to the applause of those gathered at the venue.