In what could be described as a different Deepavali gift, Vijay on Wednesday presented 108 milch cows to poor families in Udumalpet near Coimbatore.

The actor, who was shooting for his forthcoming film 'Velayutham' at Udumaplet, personally handed over the bovines to beneficiaries at a function.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, "Many parents in Tamil Nadu are unable to buy fire crackers and clothes for their kids because of poverty. They are not able to earn a livelihood. So this simple gift of cows would provide some income to the poor people."

Gifting cows, as per Hindu tradition, is considered to be a sacred act to appease the Gods and to bring fortunes. Vijay, who is suffering from a slew of failures in the box-office, is also nurturing political ambitions, it is to be noted.