TN CM Vijay's Surprise Farm Visit Leaves Elderly Woman With 'Memory Worth a Crore'

What began as an ordinary day of hard work in the fields turned into an unforgettable experience for Chellam, an elderly woman from Tamil Nadu’s Salem district, after an unexpected meeting with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister made an unscheduled stop at a roadside farm home while travelling to Salem airport following an official inspection of the Mettur hydroelectric power station. Earlier, Vijay had opened the sluice gates of the Stanley Reservoir at Mettur to facilitate agricultural activities.

During his journey, Vijay noticed a group of elderly women working in nearby fields and stepped out of his vehicle to greet them. As people gathered around the Chief Minister's convoy, Chellam approached to find out what was happening. On recognising Vijay, she walked forward and held his hand.

According to Chellam, the Chief Minister warmly asked whether she had eaten. She replied that she had not, saying she had been waiting to see him first. Vijay then walked with her through the garden area, asked her name and enquired about her well-being.

The most memorable moment came when the Chief Minister gave Chellam his own sunglasses, gently placing them on her face despite her initial reluctance. The gesture left her visibly overwhelmed.

For Chellam, the brief interaction was a “memory worth a crore of rupees.” She said Vijay looked just as he did during his years as a popular film star and recalled telling him that she would defend him if anyone tried to harm him.

During his approximately 15-minute visit, Vijay also toured the farm dwelling and cattle shed owned by local farmer Palanisamy, interacted with the family and discussed agricultural issues. He also distributed traditional gifts, including dhotis and sarees, among the host family and farmers.

The Chief Minister reportedly discussed the government's recent decision to raise the milk procurement price to Rs 44.

Amid the excitement, Chellam said she forgot to tell Vijay about her own hardships, including her lost ration card, inability to perform heavy labour because of old age, and dependence on a modest monthly allowance for food.

As the Chief Minister's convoy departed, however, Chellam remained deeply moved by the encounter. Videos of the spontaneous interaction later went viral on social media, with many praising Vijay's warm gesture and personal interaction with the elderly villagers.