Kudumbashree Agri Nutri Garden project was officially launched. Shri. I.B Satheesh, MLA, Kattakkada constituency officially inaugurated the programme at Maranalloor Grama Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram on 3 October 2021. Adv. D. Suresh, President, District Panchayath presided over the function. Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree explained the project in detail. The promotion video of the project was also launched at the function. The Agri Nutri Garden project aims at setting up organic nutritional gardens at households across the state, make available nutritious vegetables and fruits, prepare them to become self-sufficient in vegetables and thereby create a healthy society. Ten lakh beneficiaries would be identified for the programme. Suitable vegetables and fruits would be cultivated in their houses as per the local agricultural climate.
                                               
It was decided to arrange nutrition gardens in all houses during 2021-22 as part of the farm livelihood programme being implemented through Kudumbashree in the state. The nutrition gardens are set up in all wards as per this. The nutri gardens would cultivate any five of the nutrition rich agricultural products viz., tomato, bitter gourd, spinach, pumpkin, coriander, mint, lady's finger, brinjal cucumber and two types of fruit trees. Every beneficiary should do organic farming in a minimum of three cents of land. The project would be implemented in the Grama Panchayats. For that, 50 families would be identified in every ward and a cluster would be formed.  Every cluster would have a President, Secretary, Vice President and Joint Secretary. Kudumbashree would give the seeds for the cultivation and training. Training would be extended on ploughing the field, sowing the seed, manuring and on taking care of the crops under the leadership of JEVA and Master trainers. Cluster level meetings would be held every month and the development of the project. Organizing & Monitoring Committees would be formed at the Panchayath level by including the elected representatives. After the share-out of agricultural products to the households, the rest would be marketed through the marketing outlets such as Kudumbashree Nattuchantha and Krishi Bhavan. The interventions for the same would be implemented at the CDS level. The campaign activities as part of the project are progressing across the state.

Shri. A. Suresh Kumar, President, Maranalloor Grama Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram welcomed the gathering. Shri. I. B Satheesh MLA Kattakada constituency gave away the prizes to the winners of the Poster Designing Programme organized in connection with the publicity of Agri Nutri Garden programme for Kudumbashree Balasabha members. Adv. Preeja S.K, Smt. Santha Prabhakaran, Smt. Deena Kumari K.S, Shri. A R Sudheer Khan, Smt. Premavalli S, Shri. Anto V, Shri. Sabu Sajayan P S, Smt. Sheeba Mol V.V, Smt. Indulekha V.A, Shri Manoj B.S and Smt. Santhakumari gave away the felicitations. Dr. K. R Shaiju, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission Coordinator extended vote of thanks. 

Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group Formation has been officially started. Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Rural Development, Excise, Government of Kerala officially inaugurated the Auxiliary Group formation activities during the function held at Samadarshini Library of Kalippankulam ward of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on 2 October 2021, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi. Three Auxiliary Groups viz., 'Navagadha' at Kalippankulan ward under CDS-3, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, 'Manasa' at Kaladi ward, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, 'Sangamam' at Puthuppally ward under CDS-4, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation were formed.

Auxiliary Groups, the new gen system of Kudumbashree is being formed with the aim of creating a new space for the social, cultural, livelihood upliftment of young women. Kudumbashree, the Poverty Eradication Mission of Kerala which has more than 45 lakh members is also an important implementing agency that implements various projects and programmes of Central- State Governments. Auxiliary Groups are being formed aiming at including more young women to the Kudumbashree fraternity, bring them to the mainstream of the society and to give them awareness about social, financial, women empowerment topics. Kudumbashree also aims at introducing them to new job opportunities, help them find livelihood, arrange a space for them to discuss social issues along with increasing their efficiency and intervening skills, thereby strengthening social development.

It is envisaged to create an avenue to introduce the activities of various agencies that function for the welfare and development of the youth such as Youth Commission, Youth Welfare Board etc and to achieve good results. It also aims at creating awareness about the various livelihood projects implemented by Central- State Governments, Cooperative Department etc and thereby create opportunities to make sustainable livelihood possible.

Every CDS would form Women Auxiliary Groups at all wards in their limits. Women between 18 and 40 years of age can take the membership in the groups. More than one member from a family can take membership (between the age of 18 & 40). It is planned to form 20,000 groups. The maximum number of members that can be included in a single group is 50. If more than 50 women come forward in a ward, more groups could be formed. The groups could be registered at the District Missions with the recommendation of the respective CDSs.

Shri. S Salim, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation presided over the function. Shri. Sajulal D, Ward Councillor, Kalippankulam ward, Smt. Anu R.S Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Smt. Shyna. A, CDS Chairperson was also present at the function. Dr. K.R Shaiju, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission extended vote of thanks.

Shri. M. V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Rural Development & Excise, Government of Kerala made online interactions with the elected representatives, mission officials, office bearers of Kudumbashree three tier community system and Kudumbashree Resource Persons regarding the formation of the Auxiliary Groups on 30 September 2021. The Auxiliary Groups would turn out to be a greater social movement in the state, the minister said. The Auxiliary Groups would be formed at all wards across the state from 2 October 2021.

Unemployment is high in Kerala compared to other states. The unemployed women also include those who are highly educated. Auxiliary Groups aim at helping young women enter into the appropriate job sectors after understanding the resource opportunities of the agricultural, industrial, service sectors at the local level. In addition, skill development training and entrepreneurship development training would be extended aiming at the local economic development and thereby the system that includes the younger generation would be strengthened. This would be in convergence with the various departments and skill training centres, the minister said. He also added that the Auxiliary Groups would be turned into a strong local system that would prevent domestic violence, dowry, alcoholism and drug addiction associating with the Jagrutha Samithi that functions at the Panchayath level, under the leadership of Kerala Women's Commission. On attaining association, the concept of Auxiliary Group would turn out to be strong and move forward solving the issues of the patriarchal society. He added.

The project envisages to ensure the representation of young women in Kudumbashree system & their social, cultural & livelihood upliftment.The formation of Auxiliary Neighbourhood Groups aims at overcoming such limitations and make the youth a part of Kudumbashree fraternity and thereby bring them to the mainstream of the society and give awareness about social economic and women empowerment topics. Auxiliary Groups would arrange an avenue for working, finding livelihood and discussing social issues. This would help in increasing the efficiency and intervening skills of women and thereby strengthen social growth.

Smt. P. I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Shri. Salim, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Smt. K.M Usha, President, Grama Panchayath President Association and Dr Joy Elamon, Director, KILA gave away their felicitations. Smt. Anu R S, Programme Manager, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

Amidst the crisis of covid-19 pandemic, DDU-GKY students from Kasaragod district of Kerala are earning income by making customized handmade gifts. The DDU-GKY students who completed Fashion Designing course from SN College, Periya, Kasaragod are making hand embroidered hoops as per the orders and are making income of their own. The orders are mainly received for gifting for birthdays and weddings. The students who completed the Fashion Designing training through Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) the skill training programme jointly being implemented by the Central- State Governments through Kudumbashree Mission in Kerala, had made an average monthly income of more than Rs 10,000 during the lockdown period, when their college was remained closed.

24 young women from the rural areas of Kasaragod district of Kerala are the DDUGKY students who are earning income by making custom handmade gifts. They are Ms. Asirifa P A, Ms. Athulya C, Ms. Athulya K M, Ms. Ayisha Thrumaisa, Ms. Devika K, Ms. Fathimath Shala Sirin T H, Ms. Haripriya P, Ms. Kairunnisa M A, Ms. Kavya K, Ms. Mariyamanth Thasniya, Ms. Mishwana Muhammad, Ms. Najumunnisa, Ms. Safoorath Muneesa Nasreena, Ms. Pharina T A, Ms. Rajila P K, Ms. Ranjitha S, Ms. Reeja T, Ms. Reshma P.N, Ms. Sameera Fahim, Ms. Seema K, Ms. Sreemol V, Ms. Sreesanthi C, Ms. Sujatha O S, and Ms. Sujithra P. Their facilitators for the Fashion Designing Course at the SN Trust training centre suggested that they could start making handmade gifts. The price of the embroidery hoops start from Rs 400 and the embroidery hoops are charged as per the size and the time and effort. Usually a single hoop is finished within one and a half days.

They would join for the job in fashion designing by the month of November, after completing their 'On The Job Training'. This would be an additional source of income for them. They have also started a few Instagram profiles to receive the orders for the customised embroidered hoops. In addition to the online orders, they are getting offline orders as well. Those who are interested in ordering the embroidered hoops may directly contact them. Their products were displayed at a few exhibitions too and that had helped them get more customers for their products. In addition to the hoops, few of them are into bottle art and bridal blouse stitching as well. These students from Kasaragod are making the most out of the opportunity and the skills they earned through the DDU-GKY Skill training programme.

Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) are the organizations that function to find solutions for the unemployment of the rural youth by extending them skill training and thereby equipping them to find self employment and make entrepreneurship development possible. Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree launched the Annual Report 2020-21 of the RSETIs in Kerala at Kudumbashree State Mission, Thiruvananthapuram on 20 September 2021.

The  RSETIs under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) function associating with the State Rural Livelihood Missions in the respective states. The LEAD Banks in each district are entrusted with the functioning of the RSETIs. In Kerala, RSETIs function associating with Kudumbashree, the implementing agency of National Rural Livelihood Mission.  Every RSETIs implement more than 56 skill training programmes in Kerala. They have well equipped training centres for the same.

Ms. Saritha R, Assistant Controller, National Academy of RUDSETI, Kerala, Mr. Jayaprakash KR, State Director, RSETI, Mr. Prem Jeevan, Director, Indian Overseas Bank, Mr. S. Jahamgeer, Programme Officer, Mr. Shibu N.P, Mr. Bipin Jose, Mr. Das Vincent. Mr. T Leopole, Mr. K.R Jayan, Mr. G. Sreeraj, Programme Managers, Kudumbashree were also present on the occasion.

DDU-GKY Hunarbaaz Awards were presented to the differently-abled candidates who were trained through the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) programme in Kerala in various trades and subsequently got placement and worked in the organizations for more than one year, as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of DDUGKY.  Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree handed over the awards to the selected 12 candidates at the function held at District Collectorate, Ernakulam on 25 September 2021, on the occasion of  the 'Antyodaya Diwas'.

The Awards were given away as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav India @75. The selected 12 candidates include Mr. Ameen Sidheeq, Mr. Abdul Vajid T, Mr. Midhun K (JSS), Ms. Manju George, Mr. Ahammed Savad M (Quess), Mr. Salman Arshad (MET), Ms. Mereena Daniel, Mr. Sajeesh George (Vimalagiri), Mr. Santo Joseph (ULCC), Mr. George N John, Ms. Sneha Sebastian (ESAF) and Mr Naveen Soorya (Holy Cross).

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements, which is is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in it’s evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential. Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav commenced on 12 March 2021 and will end post a year on 15th August 2023 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Independence.

'Onam Utsav Online Shopping Mela', which was organized through www.kudumbashreebazaar.com, the e- commerce portal of Kudumbashree during 18 August to15 September 2021 has became a big hit and a sales of Rs 65.28 lakhs was recorded. The online trade fair continued for about a month and 45,730 orders were received. The trade fair aimed at extending maximum support to Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs and farming group members and help them secure greater sales during the onam season that came amidst the crisis of covid-19 pandemic. 

The online trade fair which was launched including greater discounts and combo offers has secured great participation. Though the trade fair was scheduled to end on 31 August 2021, more than 3200 orders on that day and hence it was decided to extend the trade fair till 15 September 2021. A total of 2017 products including masala powders, apparels, spices etc produced by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs were available for sale as part of the trade fair. Discounts upto 40% was also given. Additional discount of 10% was given to those who purchased for more than Rs 1000. The products were delivered free of cost all across the country, associating with the Postal Department and attractive combo offers were also given.

A total of 9659 orders were received on 15 September 2021 itself, the day on which the online trade fair came to an end. The details including the number of orders received by the entrepreneurs of each district is given below (In the order of the district- orders received by the entrepreneurs in the district- order amount- orders received from the districts (as per the location of the customers)- order amount received from the districts (as per the location of the customers).

1. Thiruvananthapuram   -  2453 -  3,34,726 - 6077 - 8,14,681
2. Kollam  -   2724  - 3,37,639 - 2353  -  3,35,512
3. Pathanamthitta -  794  -1 ,65,064 - 378 - 64,200
4. Alappuzha  -   402  - 58,829 - 606 - 98,691
5. Kottayam  -   2880  - 3,67,649 - 4244 - 5,49,310
6. Idukki  -    875  - 1,36,061 - 757 - 1,05,149
7. Ernakulam  -  8950  -  12,65,749 - 15,274  - 21,88,917
8. Thrissur -   5633  - 7,94,484 - 2940 - 4,09,166
9. Palakkad -  2087  - 3,38,547  - 357  - 59,530
10. Malappuram -  676  - 95,186 - 555 - 84,932
11. Kozhikode   -  4034  -  5,35,998  -  2256  - 3,01,705
12. Wayanad  -  1515  -  2,43,830  - 326 - 53,440
13. Kannur -  10,389 -  15,31,908  -  8477 - 12,48,389
14. Kasaragod  -  2318 - 3, 22,526  -  805 - 1,08,120
Total - 45730 - 65,28,197  - 45,730 - 65,28,197

Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana 2.0 (PM Yuva) Project, piloted in Kerala under the leadership of Kudumbashree has been completed now. The Awards of PM Yuva have also been announced. Shri. M. V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Rural Development & Excise, Government of Kerala inaugurated the culminating session in online mode on 22 September 2021. Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala presided over the function. Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree declared the awards. 

Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana 2.0 (PM Yuva), formulated by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship was implemented in Kerala as a pilot project. The project envisaged enabling the youth to become entrepreneurs rather than job seekers and thereby turn them into employers. Kudumbashree is the state nodal agency for implementing the programme in Kerala. The project was implemented in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur and Alappuzha districts of Kerala.

The project includes activities that create an enabling ecosystem for the young entrepreneurs. This project comprises various awareness programmes that includes the entrepreneurship development of current entrepreneurs, guidance to the new entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDP) that includes various camps etc. The project mainly aims at creating a path for the entrepreneurs to connect with the business network and equip them to overcome the crisis they would have to face now or in the future.   The project was implemented in two phases- Community level and Institutional level. Entrepreneurship awareness and three day Boot Camp training that would help in entrepreneurship development was organized at the community level. Whereas, at the Institutional level,  Kudumbashree implemented entrepreneurship development training and needed training was provided to the selected teachers at the vocational educational institutions (Polytechnic, JSS, ITI, PMKVY).

The programmes in both levels (Institutional level and Community level) were implemented in Kozhikode, Malappuram and Thrissur districts. Institutional level was implemented in Palakkad district and Community level was implemented in Alappuzha district. Through these two level activities, 1607 students have completed the entrepreneurship development in the institutional level. 154 new entrepreneurs and 131 current entrepreneurs were benefitted as part of the community level training.

Auxiliary Neighbourhood Group units were officially announced  and the guidelines regarding the formation of the Auxiliary Neighbourhood Groups were launched by Shri. M. V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala on 18 September 2021. The guidelines regarding the same was launched by the minister, by presenting the same to Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree. The project envisages to ensure the representation of young women in Kudumbashree system & for their social, cultural & livelihood upliftment.

As of now, there are more than 45 lakhs of women in Kudumbashree NHGs. But out of them those between the age of 18-40 constitute only 10 %. As the Kudumbashree membership is limited to one member per family, a second member from the family would fail to get the membership.  Because of this limitation, a greater percentage of young women failed to get directly benefited out of the various programmes being implemented through Kudumbashree.

The formation of Auxiliary Neighbourhood Groups aims at overcoming such limitations and make the youth a part of Kudumbashree fraternity and thereby bring them to the mainstream of the society and give awareness about social economic and women empowerment topics. Auxiliary Groups would arrange an avenue for working, finding livelihood and discussing social issues. This would help in increasing the efficiency and intervening skills of women and thereby strengthen social growth.

Every CDS would form Women Auxiliary Groups in all wards. The maximum number of members for a group is 50. If the membership exceeds this, more groups could be formed. The groups would be registered in the District Mission with the recommendation of the CDSs. Women between 18-40 years of age can become part of the groups. More than one woman (between 18 to 40 years of age) can take membership from the same household. The group formation activities would be started by the month of October.

A One Day Workshop on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) - LIFE & National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) was organized and the Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) was officially announced. The workshop was officially inaugurated by Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram on 18 September 2021. The workshop aims to familiarize the PMAY (U)-LIFE and NULM  programmes in detail to the Chairmen of the Urban Local Bodies. 

Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs), a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri AWAS Yojana- Urban (PMAY-U) initiated by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India was also announced by the minister at the programme. This will provide ease of living to urban migrants/ poor in the Industrial Sector as well as in a non-formal urban economy to get access to dignified affordable rental housing close to their workplace.

In the background of covid-19 pandemic, the workshop is being organized in three phases. In the first phase of the workshop, the Corporation Mayors and Municipal Chairpersons from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts took part in the workshop.  Kudumbashree is the state level nodal agency for implementing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)-LIFE & National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) in Kerala.