The Kudumbashree Haritha Samrudhi Winter Vegetable Cultivation Campaign, which was launched at the state level in October 2024, is progressing well in all the districts. The campaign is organized from October 2024 to January 2025 under the leadership of the Kudumbashree Agriculture Department. Through Haritha Samrudhi, it is aimed to promote the cultivation of locally produced winter vegetables through Kudumbashree Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), increase farmers' income and ensure nutritional security.  

Along with the winter crops like cabbage, cauliflower, carrot and radish, crops such as chilli, lady's finger, spinach, tomato, brinjal, yardlong beans, cucumber varieties, watermelon have been cultivated as part of the Haritha Samrudhi Campaign.

An Entrepreneurship Meet & Exhibition was organized as part of the KA Biz Nest Programme of Kudumbashree at Saintgits College of Engineering Campus, Pathamuttam, Kottayam on 7 November 2024. The programme was organized by Kudumbasree Kottayam District Mission in association with the Food Technology Department of Saintgits College of Engineering. 

KA Biz Nest is an Agri Business Networking activity run by Kudumbashree to introduce the young generation to Kudumbashree's agricultural entrepreneurship activities and to introduce Kudumbashree entrepreneurs to innovative technologies and opportunities in the field of entrepreneurship. It is designed to bridge the generational gap by connecting Kudumbashree's successful agribusiness activities with younger generations. The initiative seeks to ensure that the knowledge, skills, and legacy of Kudumbashree's entrepreneurial ventures are passed on to the youth, fostering a new wave of innovation and continuity.

The objectives of KA Biz Nest include engaging youth and continuing the legacy. The primary objective is to actively involve college students and young people in Kudumbashree's agribusiness ventures. By exposing them to real-world agricultural practices and business models, KA Biz Nest aims to spark interest and inspire the next generation of agripreneurs. The initiative is focused on ensuring that Kudumbashree's legacy of women empowerment and sustainable agriculture continues to thrive by empowering young people to take up these activities and build on the existing foundation.

KA Biz Nest fosters relationships between Kudumbashree members and the younger generation, creating a platform for knowledge exchange, mentorship, and collaboration. This interaction benefits the youth by providing them with practical insights and experience, while Kudumbashree members gain fresh perspectives and energy from the younger participants. By engaging the youth, KA Biz Nest ensures that Kudumbashree's agribusiness activities remain dynamic and continue to grow, maintaining a sustainable growth, adapting to new challenges and opportunities with the enthusiasm and innovation of the next generation.

Alappuzha will be the venue for the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree, bringing together the products of rural entrepreneurs of India under one roof. The fair, which will be held from 20 to 31 January 2025 at the Chengannur Municipal Stadium, will be complemented by an outdoor food court offering traditional cuisines from various states of India and cultural events. Entry to the fair, which is held in a 1.5 lakh square feet pavilion, is absolutely free.

Shri. Nithin. S, a native of Seethathodu of Pathanamthitta district, participated in the competition to find the logo and tagline of Saras Mela and became the winner. The tagline of the fair is 'Onnayi Valarnn Akasha Chirakil' (Growing together on the wings of the sky). Shri. Saji Cherian, Minster for Fisheries and Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala released the logo of Saras Fair by presenting to Shri. Roy Kottarachira, President, Alappuzha Press Club during the function held at Alappuzha Press Club on 8 November 2024. 

The exhibition market stalls from 28 states including Kerala will have handicrafts, jewellery, textiles, household items and daily use items. One can also enjoy food from the food court with 30 stalls. Every day there will be cultural programmes and seminars in the fair. In addition, there will be an amusement park, flower show, pet show and book fair.

The Organizing Committee with Shri. Saji Cherian, Minister as Chairman and Shri. Alex Varghese IAS, District Collector, Alappuzha as General Convener, Shri. Ranjith S., District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission as Convener and 18 sub-committees are working for the success of the fair.

There is also an opportunity to win cash prizes by participating in poster, mascot design and theme song contests as part of the fair. The mascot and poster should be prepared in harmony with the unique cultural identity, artistic presence and local characteristics of Alappuzha district. The entries should be sent to sarasalp2025@gmail.com before 16 November 2024.
One can contact 9020651322, 9072102606 for more details

As part of the Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission's efforts to bring together the transgender community, a dance school has been started in Adoor of Pathanamthitta District. The 'Mudrapeedam' initiative was completed as part of the Pathanamthitta District Panchayat's efforts to make the district a transgender-friendly district.  Dr. R Bindu, Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, Government of Kerala inaugurated the 'Mudrapeedam' initiative at a function held at Adoor, Pathanamthitta on 22 October 2024. 
 
Ms. Nakshatra V. Kurup, Ms. Nirupama Niranjan, Ms. Rakhi and Ms. Mithuna who belongs to the transgender community who are also the members of Kudumbashree are at the helm of the dance school. Transgender Forums are being formed at the District Level under the auspices of Kudumbashree District Mission with the aim of bringing the transgender community to the mainstream of the society, creating a space for them to express their problems, solve their problems and develop their skills, and improve their social status and quality of life. As part of the effort to transform Pathanamthitta district into a transgender-friendly district, special schemes are also being implemented under the auspices of the Pathanamthitta District Panchayat.

Shri. Chittayam Gopakumar, Deputy Speaker, Kerala Legislative Assembly presided over the function. Shri. Jiji Mathew (Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee, Pathanamthitta District Panchayat ) Ms. Aadila. S (District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission), Ms. Divya Reji Muhammad (Chairperson, Adoor Municipality), Ms. Nirupama Niranjan (Member, Transgender Social Justice Board), Ms. Beena Prabha (Vice President, District Panchayat), Shri. R. Ajaya Kumar (Chairman, Health Education Standing Committee, Pathanamthitta District Panchayat ),  Shri. R. Thulaseedharan Pillai (President, Parakkode Block Panchayat), Ms. Sarah Thomas (Chairperson, District Gender Resource Centre), Ms. Asha V. S (President, Ezhamkulam Grama Panchayat ), Ms. Valsala Kumari M. V ( Chairperson, Adoor CDS), Ms. Rekha Babu (Chairperson, Ezhamkulam CDS), Ms. Beena Babu, Ms. Anu Vasanthan ( Municipal Councilor, Adoor Municipality), Shri. Sam Thomas (President, Auto Brothers),  Ms. Anupa P. R (District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission) also spoke at the function.

State Level Inauguration of 6 New Kudumbashree Projects was held at Fort Manor Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram on 30 October 2024. Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department & Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala performed the State Level Inauguration of  Pocket Mart E-Commerce Application, Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme Phase 6, One Stop Facility Centre, Incubation Centre, Nature's Fresh Agri Kiosk Phase 2 and Haritha Samridhi Campaign, online.

The Minister said that Kudumbashree has now entered many new fields, apart from those it has been traditionally involved in. All the projects launched today are in different sectors. As Kudumbashree has been successful in all the tasks and responsibilities undertaken so far, it is hoped that these projects will also turn out to be better projects and become new events that Kudumbashree will bring to Kerala. He added.

Kudumbashree has a speciality that it can create a unique example in whatever field it enters. Kudumbashree's brilliance is to make everything it touches into gold. Kudumbashree is a great movement that has left an indelible mark on the life of Kerala over the last quarter of a century, especially on the lives of Kerala women. Kudumbashree has created a new model for India and the world, a new model of women power. The Minister added.

Adv. Antony Raju, MLA  presided over the function. Dr. Dinesan Cheruvat IAS, Executive Director (i/c), Kudumbashree inaugurated the financial assistance given to Nature's Fresh Agri Kiosks by handing over the cheque of Rs 2 lakhs to Shri. R.S Sreekumar, President, Venganoor Panchayath and the office bearers of the Nature's Fresh Agri Kiosk functioning at the Panchayath Building, Nellimoodu Junction, Venganoor. Ms. Megha Mary Koshy, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree felicitated Amigosia Private Limited for developing the Pocket Mart Application.

Dr. Dinesan Cheruvat IAS, Executive Director (i/c), Kudumbashree addressed the gathering. Shri. R.S Sreekumar, President, Venganoor Panchayath, Ms. Vinitha P., Chairperson, Thiruvananthapuram CDS 2, Dr B Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree delivered their felicitations. Shri. Ramesh G, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission and Ms. Mini C.R, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree  Idukki District Mission were also present at the function. Shri. Sreekanth A.S. Programme Officer, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Dr Shanavas, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

Pocket Mart Application is a system started to bring Kudumbashree products and services available through various schemes to the market through e-commerce application and thereby open the possibility of online market to entrepreneurs. In the first phase, information about the products of 750 enterprises will be available on the Pocket Mart App. Pocket Mart Application will help in accessing and using information about Kudumbashree enterprises, Kudumbashree Premium Hotels, Janakeeya Hotels and Kerala Chicken outlets. It will be fully operational by February 2025. Currently, as part of Kudumbashree's food delivery system 'Lunch Bell', customers order food through the Pocket Mart Application.

Starting the sixth phase of the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) implemented in the state through Kudumbashree will also help in strengthening the entrepreneurship sector. As part of this, the project will be started in 8 newly selected blocks. Adding this, the project will be implemented in a total of 51 blocks. This project is included in the 4th Hundred Day  Programme of the Government of Kerala.

One Stop Facility Centre (OSF) is a scheme implemented in selected blocks of the state under the National Rural Livelihood Mission. The project is being started as a part of expanding the micro enterprise activities currently being implemented by Kudumbashree. The project will be implemented in Parassala and Perungadavila blocks of Thiruvananthapuram district and Haripad and Ambalapuzha blocks of Alappuzha district. It has received the Central approval. The duration of the project is three years. A total of 600 enterprises will be supported during this period. The project will be implemented by including it in the 4th Hundred Day Programme of the Government of Kerala.

Incubation Centres is a project to utilize the knowledge, work experience and practical wisdom of the Kudumbashree units, which are working well in the field of micro-enterprises, for entrepreneurs who are coming forward to start new enterprises. Primaro Apparel Park in Kollam District, Kidangoor Apparel Park in Kottayam District, Samriddhi Food Court in Ernakulam District, AIFRHM Kudumbashree Training Unit and Sanjeevani Nutrimix Food Processing Unit are selected as Incubation Centres in the first phase.

The second phase of the Nature's Fresh Agri Kiosk Project, the branded agricultural outlets that will provide vegetables, fruits and value-added products grown by Kudumbashree NHG members was also launched.

The Kudumbashree Women Farmers Group's vegetable farming campaign will be implemented from October 2024 to January 2025 with the aim of promoting locally produced winter vegetables, thereby increasing their income and ensuring nutritional security. The objectives of the campaign are to ensure availability of quality non-toxic vegetables in the market, bring more women farmers into the agricultural sector and ensure their financial security.

Kudumbashree 'Kanas Jaga' Film Festival of Indigenous Children was held at St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam on 26-27 October 2024. Ten popular films were selected through an audience opinion poll. From these films the three most popular films were selected.'Naranga Mittayi' (Thirunelli Adivasi Comprehensive Development Project, Wayanad) bagged the First prize. 'Daaham' (Attappadi Tribal Comprehensive Development Project) bagged the second prize and 'Network' (Parambikulam Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Palakkad) bagged the third prize for the Best Popular Movies.

Bringing the realities of indigenous people's lives to the silver screen, 'Kanas Jaga - Children's Short Film Festival of Indigenous Regions' flagged off on 27 October 2024 with a world record achievement. 'Kanas Jaga' Film Festival bagged the Talent World Record for 'Most films produced and screened by indigenous children at the same time'.

The Film Festival was started when Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department & Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the festival online on 26 October 2024. More than 1000 tribal children from across the state participated in the programme. Shri. P Rajeeve, Minister for Law, Industries and Coir, Government of Kerala inaugurated the valedictory function. Adv. Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Corporation presided over the function. Shri. Vishnu Unnikrishnan, Cine Actor was the Chief Guest of the function. Awards to the selected Best Films and Awards for the 102 films brought to the Film Festival were jointly distributed by the Minister, guests and officials of the Kudumbashree State and District Mission.

Top 10 Movies as Voted by Audience:

1. Network (Parambikulam Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Palakkad)

2. Chelu (Thirunelli Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Wayanad)

3. Daaham (Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project)

4. Thiricharivu (Parambikulam Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Palakkad)

5. Ozhukku ( Marayoor - Kanthalloor Tribal Special Project, Idukki)

6. Naranga Mittayi (Thirunelli Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Wayanad)

7. Kick (Nilambur Tribal Special Project, Malappuram)

8. Oru Jathi Oru Matham Oru Daivam Manushyanu (Aralam Tribal Special Project, Kannur)

9. Aadyaksharam ( Malai Pandaram Tribal Special Project, Pathanamthitta)

10. Thirutt (Koraga Tribal Special Project, Kasargod)

The Awards for the Signature Song was presented to Shri. Raju. P. V., Animator, Thirunelli Tribal Comprehensive Development Project. Awards were also given to Kerala Gramin Bank and Ernakulam District Mission by the State Mission.

The films were screened in 3 venues named Siruvani, Bhavani and Sairandhri. Seminars were held on the topics 'Cultural markers of indigenous life- Literature, Cinema and Media', 'Socio-Economic Challenges in the Indigenous Sector: Innovative Survival Strategies' and 'Protection of Children's Right to Education in Indigenous Regions: A Changing Methodology of Education'. Face to Face Conversations were also organized as part of the film festival.

Kanas Jaga (Dream Place) Programme was planned with the intention of making the children of the indigenous region excel in different fields according to their aptitude. Through the 'Kanas Jaga' Programme, Kudumbashree aimed to make each and every one of them aware of the place where they live, its climate, climate changes, social problems and children's rights. Under the leadership of Kudumbashree, the project has been implemented in the first phase in the areas where the Tribal Special Projects are being implemented.

The activities were planned in such a way that every child who participated in the 'Kanas Jaga' Programme would help to nurture their senses of nature to the maximum. As part of the training, the socio-economic and cultural characteristics and shortcomings of each region were identified and the necessary solutions were presented creatively by the children themselves. In this way, 102 films were written and directed by the indigenous children themselves.

Kerala Grameen Bank came up as sponsors of Kudumbashree 'Kanas Jaga' Tribal Children's Film Festival. Shri. H. Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree received a cheque for the sponsorship amount of Rs.2 lakhs from Shri. Suresh Babu R., General Manager, Kerala Grameen Bank.

Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree,  Shri. Jishnu Gopan, State Assistant Programme Manager and Shri. Rajesh K.R., Marketing Manager, Kerala Grameen Bank participated in the function held at Executive Director's Chamber. 102 Short Films directed and acted by tribal children will be screened at the Film Festival organized at St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam on 26-27 October 2024. Out of the total of five venues, film screenings will be held in 4 venues and seminar will be organized in one venue.

International Labour Association (ILO), International Training Centre (ITC) and Microsoft jointly organized training on 'Women in Digital Business' for Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. The training was held at Kalamassery, Ernakulam from 14 to 17 October 2024.

The aim of the training was to help the existing Kudumbashree entrepreneurs to improve their enterprises these days when knowledge of digital technology has become essential. Training was given in digital technology such as improving online marketing and sales, accepting online orders, making payments, sending and distributing products.

All the 18 participants of the training received the certificate of globally recognized Microsoft, ILO-ITC. Apart from this, they will also get continuous support to connect with the global business community to improve their business and the opportunity to study for free on Microsoft's e-learning platform. Shri. Isaac Singh Ambrose, Lead Trainer conducted the classes.

Kudumbashree became a star at the Aajeevika Saras Mela being held in Gurugram, Haryana by making Kerala's unique food and various products available to the Non Resident Keralites. The fair organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development at Sector 29 Leisure Valley Park will come to an end on 29 October 2024.

Kudumbashree branded chips and curry powders as well as handicrafts and food products are available at 13 stalls set up as part of the Saras Fair. Apart from this, units from Kozhikode (Navaneetham), Ernakulam (Lakshya) and Palakkad (Sneha) districts also prepare biryani, parotta, snacks, dosa and juices in India Food Court. Kudumbashree NRO is in charge of running the food court.

Representatives from Kollam (Dhanashree), Idukki (Priya, Arathi), Ernakulam (Aishwarya), Thrissur (Thanal), Palakkad (Sri. Ammal, Chamundeshwari, Archana, Udayagiri) Malappuram (Thilakkam, Spring), Wayanad (Swaralaya), Kannur (Vaidooryam) districts have delivered Kudumbashree products to the commercial stall in Gurugram.

Three - Day 'Induction Training for District Level Public Relations Interns' held was organized at Kudumbasree State Mission Office during 17-19 October 2024. Shri. H. Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the training on 17 October 2024. Ms. R. Parvathi Devi, Former Public Relations Officer of Kudumbashree, Shri. Salin Mankuzhi, Additional Director (General & Administration), Information & Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala, Shri. N. Jagajeevan, Consultant, Suchitwa Mission and Former Kudumbashree Programme Officer, Shri. Nafih M., Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree led the classes on various subjects.

Kudumbashree Programme Officers and State Programme Managers also conducted classes on various programmes of Kudumbashree. Shri. H. Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree distributed certificates to those who completed the training.