A four-day agricultural drone training programme jointly organized by Kudumbashree, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Central Tuber Crops Research Institute was started at Millennium Hall, Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram on 13 May 2024. Ms. Bindu K.S, Director (A&F), Kudumbashree inaugurated the programme. Dr. G Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI presided over the function. He also interacted with Kudumbashree farmers.

The Drone Operating Manual translated to Malayalam by ICAR-CTCRI was released by Dr. G Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI by giving the same to Ms. Bindu K.S, Director (A&F), Kudumbashree during the function. Dr. V.S Santhosh Mithra, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CTCRI talked on 'Introduction to Smart Farming'. 

The training topics include Introduction to Agri Drone: Hardware, Servicing etc, Familiarizing with Drone simulator, Familiarizing with Drone Flying, Familiarizing with Agri Drones. The main objective of the training programme is to achieve significant progress in the agricultural sector by utilizing new technology and thereby achieve economic empowerment. 50 Kudumbashree women will be given four days agricultural drone training. Field level training is imparted to the farmers to introduce them to the concept of 'Smart Agriculture' which provides better employment and income enhancement to the common women farmers. Drones have already been made available to all 50 participants in the training. 

The first day training provided a better understanding of the drone's architecture, technical aspects and operational guidelines for use. Field level training on smart farming, agri drone hardware, maintenance and servicing, drone simulator, trial drone flying and hands on agri drone flying led by experts from ICAR-CTCRI and FACT  will be given in the following days.  Awareness will also be given on personal safety, environmental considerations, use of pesticides and maintenance safety measures etc. while using drones.

The four-day training programme will provide Kudumbashree farmers with an excellent opportunity to learn and apply innovative technologies that operate agricultural drones. It will also help to learn how to effectively plant seeds, monitor crop growth at regular intervals, and apply pesticides and liquid fertilizers in a short period of time using drones. There is also an opportunity for the women farmers to discuss their queries with the subject experts in the field of science and technology during the training.

By using drones, farmers can also save time and reduce physical labour by being able to perform arduous tasks related to agriculture in a short period of time. The training will also help the farmers to earn more income by doing agricultural work through drones in their own farms as well as in the farms of other farmers. It is also possible to modernize the agricultural sector by increasing the employability and efficiency of women. It is expected that more women farmers may enter this field as better productivity, employment opportunities and income can be achieved in the field of agriculture. It is also hoped that the technical and practical knowledge acquired through the training will help the farmers to find better livelihoods in agriculture and allied sectors. Kudumbashree will be organizing several training programs this year in the areas of innovative agriculture, agribusiness and allied enterprises. The drone training programme is the beginning of this.

Officials in charge of Farm Livelihood Project at the state level and District Programme Managers in charge at the district level are participating in the training programme. The training will come to an end on 16 May 2024.

Dr. Shanavas, Programme Officer, Farm Livelihoods, Kudumbashree Mission & Shri. B Sivachandran, Zonal Manager, FACT delivered the felicitation address. Agri Drones: Experience of FACT was explained by Shri. B Sivachandran. Dr. Sheela Immanuel, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CTCRI welcomed the gathering and Dr. V.S Santhosh Mithra, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CTCRI delivered the vote of thanks.

'Arangu 2024,' the State Arts Festival of Kudumbashree NHG and Auxiliary Group members will be organized in Kasaragod district during next month. The Arts Festival will be held at eight venues in Pilikode Panchayat on 7-8 June 2024. A discussion meeting was held yesterday at the Cheruvathoor gram panchayat hall on 8 May 2024.

Shri. T.T. Surendran, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission, Shri. D. Haridas, Shri C.H. Iqbal, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission, Shri. Nishad C, Kudumbashree State Programme Manager, Ms. Muneera K, Kudumbashree State Assistant Programme Manager, Ms. Ajeesha, Ms. Reji Thomas,  District Programme Managers, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission,  District Programme Managers, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission and  City Mission Managers attended the meeting.

The organizing committee meeting related to Arangu State Arts Festival will be held  at Kalikkadav Karakkakav Auditorium on 13 May 2024.

'Arangu 2024,' the State Arts Festival of Kudumbashree NHG and Auxiliary Group members will be organized in Kasaragod district during next month. The Arts Festival will be held at eight venues in Pilikode Panchayat on 7-8 June 2024. A discussion meeting was held yesterday at the Cheruvathoor gram panchayat hall on 8 May 2024.

Shri. T.T. Surendran, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission, Shri. D. Haridas, Shri C. H. Iqbal, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission, Shri. Nishad C, Kudumbashree State Programme Manager, Ms. Muneera K, Kudumbashree State Assistant Programme Manager, Ms. Ajeesha, Ms. Reji Thomas, District Programme Managers, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, District Programme Managers, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission and City Mission Managers attended the meeting.

The organizing committee meeting related to Arangu State Arts Festival will be held at Kalikkadav Karakkakav Auditorium on 13 May 2024.

Registrations have been opened for the Mind Blowers Campaign organized by Kudumbashree for Balasabha members with an aim to get the new generation in the mindset to imbibe innovative lessons of knowledge, creativity and entrepreneurship. Students from class ninth to twelfth can register through the Google Form link http://surl.li/tlrje. 10 May 2024 is the last date.

The year-long campaign is being organized for 50,000 children in collaboration with Udyam Learning Foundation, which helps impart entrepreneurial and business leadership skills to the youth. At least 50 children from each gram panchayat will be identified and mentored to develop their ideas and implement them at the local level.

The 13 Kudumbashree Balasabha members got to know the cultural heritage and history of India by visiting the Indian Parliament, various historical monuments, educational institutions and museums in Delhi. These are the children selected from among Balasabha members who are part of the Bala Parliament activities organized in 2023.

The group of children started from Kerala on 23 April 2024 for a study visit to Delhi and Rajasthan and reached Delhi on 25 April 2024. Then they visited various places including Rashtrapati Bhavan and Qutab Minar. They also visited Jaipur in Rajasthan. The children will return to Kerala on 1 May 2024. This is the first time in history that Kudumbashree is organizing such a study trip outside the state for Balasabha members. Children interacted with the students and teachers of the institutes where innovative learning programmes were organized.

Ananya. C, Nivedya. K, Drishya. J (all three Kozhikode) and Abhinav. B (Agali, Palakkad), Sandeep S. Nair (Malappuram), Azmin. S (Alappuzha) Siva Nandan C.A, Nayana S. Nair (both Kollam), Atheena Ratheesh V.R (Alappuzha), Sooraja K.S (Kasaragod), Aryananda Anish, Rashmiya Ramesh (both Kannur) and Sreenandana V.S (Thrissur) were the Balasabha members who became part of the study trip. The Study Trip is led by the team of officials under the leadership of Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer. 

Bala Parliament is an activity planned and implemented by Kudumbashree every year since 2007 to make children understand the importance and scope of the Indian democratic system. Now, there are now 31,612 Balasabhas formed by Kudumbashree in Kerala. 4,59,151 children in the age group of 5 to18 years of age are now members of these Balasabhas.

Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission set up Kudumbashree Marketing Stall at Pooram Exhibition of Thrissur Pooram. Kudumbashree's reliable products were made available to those coming to Thrissur Pooram this time. More than 200 products such as handicrafts, food products, spices, small grain dishes, toiletries, bags and textiles produced by more than 50 entrepreneurs of Thrissur district have been brought to the market. 

Dr. Kavitha A,  District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission inaugurated the Kudumbashree stall on 16 April 2024. Shri. Nirmal A.C, Shri. Prasad K.K, Shri Siju Kumar, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, Ms. Sithara K.G, Shri. Shobhu Narayanan, Shri. Adarsh P Dayal, Shri. Vijayakrishnan R,  District Programme Managers, Livelihood Block Co-ordinators, MECs, Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and NHG members participated.

The Kudumbashree Ernakulam district team gave comfort to many in this heavy sun by setting up a water pandal. As part of the Food Nutrition Health and Wash -FNHW camp under the leadership of Gender Resource Centers in the district, water pandals were prepared in connection with Vishu marketing fairs.

Water pandal activities have been started at Kudumbashree Gender Resource Centers in CDSs of   Ilanji, Thirumaradi, Koothatukulam, Ramamangalam, Mulanthuruthy, Palakuzha, Rayamangalam, Ashamannur, Pallarimangalam, Kothamangalam, Paingotoor, Kuttampuzha, Koovappady, Pindimana, Kavalangad, Vazhakulam, Vengola, Aikaranad, Choornikara, Kizhakkambalam, Puthrika, Maradi, Chottanikkara, Karukutty, Mookannur, Payipra, Kochi South, Kadamakudy, Kuzhupilli, Pallipuram, Kumbalam, Kumbalangi, Chellanam, Amballur, Mulavukad, Cheranelloor, Kalamassery West, Kalamassery East, Varappuzha, Paravoor, Vaddakekara, Kunnathunad, Thiruvanankulam, Pampakkuda, Edakkattuvayal, Varappetty, Okkal, Vengoor, Edathala, Udayamperoor, Thrikkakara East, Thrikkakara West, Pothanikkad, Manjalloor, Kanjoor, Sreemoolanagaram, Angamaly, Manjapra, Moovatupuzha, Valakam, Piravam, Karumalur, Alangad, Kadungalloor, Eloor, Kochi West, Maradu West, Maradu East, Kalady, Nedumbassery, Chengamanad, Thuravoor, Kochi East, Mazhuvannur, Chittatukara and Chendamangalam. 

Programmes were organized under the leadership of CDS Governing Body, Community Counsellor, FNHW Resource Persons, Vigilant Group Members and Gender Point Persons.

The last date for submission of entries for the sixth season of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram' Photography Competition has been extended till 15 May 2024. Images depicting various activities of Kudumbashree are considered for the competition. There are special prizes for the general category and NHG members/Auxiliary group members who participate in the competition.

A cash award of Rs 25,000 will be awarded to the best photograph in the general category. The second best photograph will receive a cash award of Rs. 15,000 and the third best photograph will receive a cash award of Rs. 10,000. Also five people will get a consolation prize of Rs. 2000 each. In the NHG/Auxiliary category, the best photograph will receive a cash award of Rs. 25,000, the second best photograph will get a cash award of Rs. 15,000 and the third best photograph will receive a cash prize of Rs. 10,000. There is also a consolation prize of Rs. 2000 each for five people. The full form of notification with details is available at the website link www.kudumbashree.org/photography2024.

Images can be sent based on Kudumbashree related topics like Kudumbashree NHG meetings, various enterprise activities and agricultural activities carried out by NHG members, activities of Kudumbashree Balasabhas and BUDS Institutions.

Photos can be sent to the email id kudumbashreephotocontest@gmail.com. Photo prints or CDs containing unwatermarked photos can be sent to ' The Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree State Mission Office, Trida Rehabilitation Building, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram- 695011. The entries should be transcribed as 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram Photography Competition'

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission's Nilambur Tribal Premier League Football is a big hit. Yuva Gangs Ravens Bhoomikuth became the winners of the 3rd Nilambur Tribal Premier League Sevens Football Tournament organized as part of Nilambur Tribal Special Project. 35 youth clubs from various Scheduled Tribe villages of the district participated in the tournament. The tournament was held at Nilambur Azad ground on 9-10 March 2024.   Yuva Gangs defeated Varadempadam Dynamos Rock Star by a one-sided goal in the final on 10 March 2024.

Shri. Jafar Kakkooth, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree District Mission presented the trophies for the winners. Shri. Rijesh V.S, District Programme Manager, Shri. Sanu K.K, Co-ordinator, Nilambur Tribal  Special Project, Shr. Jiju K, Ms. Kalpana P.K,  Assistant Project Co-ordinators and  Ms. V. Vasantha and Ms. Mini Sujesh, CDS Chairperson participated in the programme.

Honours
Best Player of the Tournament – Harilal (Dynamos Rock Star)
Top Scorer - Sinu (Black Army Chembankolli)
Best Goalkeeper - Abhilash (New Gangs Ravens)
Best Defender – Satish (Dynamos Rock Star)
Best Emerging Team - Naduvazhi High Range Devil Karimbu.

'Aishwarya NHG', an ST NHG from KodomBelur Panchayath of Kasaragod district has set a new a model. They have built their own building in conjunction with the 22nd anniversary of their NHG. The building was constructed by using Rs. 80,000 raised by 19 members of the Aishwarya NHG in Vengachery. The most important of these is the amount of Rs. 20 that each of the members invested for the building every week. Panchayat allotted the land. This building will also serve as a Children's library for the Balasabha members. Also, this building will be used for the mushroom cultivation activities currently being carried out by the NHG and for the newly started umbrella manufacturing activities.

Ms. Sujatha Babu (President), Ms. Leela Babu (Secretary), Ms. Radhika V, Ms. Latha Radhakrishnan, Ms Janaki (Sub Committee Conveners), Ms. Kalyani Chandran, Ms. Savitha V.K, Ms. Karichi Maani, Ms. Omana C, Ms. Thambayi Madhavan, Ms. Karichi Krishnan, Ms. Ramani Narayanan, Ms. Karichi Kottaan, Ms. Vellachi, Ms. Kalyani Kumaran, Ms. Manju Mohanan, Ms. Beena Sajeevan, Ms. Meenakshi joined together in the meeting  held under the leadership of Ms. Leela Babu (Secretary)on 10 March 2024 and Ms. P. Sreeja, President, KodomBelur Panchayath. 

Ms. Bindu Krishnan, CDS Chairperson, Shri. V Chandran, Head of the Hamlet, Ms. Suma Jayan, CDS Member, Ms. Sreeja Rameshan, ADS Secretary also took part in the programme.

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission in collaboration with the Kerala State Housing Board's Grihasree Scheme is to provide houses to 75 needy families under each Kudumbashree CDS. In the Sneha Veedu project run by Kudumbashree CDSs, along with the funds collected by the CDSs, financial assistance as part of the Grihasree project will be used for the construction of houses. CDS contribution to Snehaveedu project has been paid and the construction of beneficiary houses has been started.

A meeting of these 75 beneficiaries was organized at Malappuram Trade House on 2 March 2024. Shri. P.P. Suneer, Chairman, Kerala State Housing Board inaugurated the programme and Shri. Jafar Kakkooth, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission presided over the function.

Shri. Noushad C.H, Councilor, Malappuram Municipal Ward was the special guest of the function. Ms. Mini, Chairperson, Chelembra CDS, Ms. Krishna Jyothi, Chairperson, Porur CDS extended their greetings. Shri. Haskar K.S, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission welcomed the gathering and Shri. Mohammad Kattupara, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator. Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.