Actor Vijay donates 108 cows

COIMBATORE: After a string of box-office flops, actor Vijay who nurtures political ambitions has now turned to bovine blessings. The actor gifted 108 milch cows to poor families in Udumalpet near Coimbatore. The 36-year-old actor's under-production film 'Velayudham' is being shot in the Kollywood's famous coconut-lined locale of Udumalpet. Bellowing cows lined up at a glitzy function in Udumalpet town as Vijay personally handed over the bovines to villagers. In Hindu tradition, donating cows is considered to be a sacred gift to appease the Gods.  The actor, the production crew of 'Velayudham' and his fan clubs pooled in funds to gift the cows. At the function held a day before Deepavali, Vijay tried to strike an emotional chord with the poor of Tamil Nadu.  ''Many TN families are unable to buy fireworks for their kids because of poverty. But these milch cows will provide a livelihood for the poor people,'' he said.