The trainees made the Talento 24 Job Placement Ceremony and Alumni Reunion organized at Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram on 7 January 2024 as part of DDU-GKY, a free job skill training programme implemented in the state by Kudumbashree, a big hit. Around 3000 people from different districts of the state were part of Talento 24. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister of Local Self-Government and Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Talento 24 Programme. He performed the distribution of offer letters to one thousand trainees through the DDU-GKY scheme and launched the Talento Connect web portal. In his inaugural speech, he said that Kerala is the state with the best human resources and that is why Malayalees can get the best job opportunities in the world.

The Minister also distributed awards to the Best Performing Training Agencies (PIAs), the training agencies providing the maximum number of employment, the Kudumbashree District Missions implementing the DDU-GKY Project activities in the best manner and the best employer.

Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary, Department of Local Self-Government, Government of Kerala delivered the keynote speech at the function presided over by Shri. Kadakampally Surendran, MLA. Shri. Karma Zimpa Bhutia, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Rural Development spoke on the topic, 'DDU-GKY; 'Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow'. A book titled 'Trailblazers' featuring the success stories of 200 people who received skill training and employment through the scheme was also released during the function.

Ms. Arya Rajendran, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation was the Chief Guest of the function. Ms. Sandhya Gopakumaran,

Executive Director, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri. Arun C. Adat, Assistant Commissioner and Ms Smitha Surendran, Member, Kudumbashree Governing Body extended their greetings. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Shri. Pradeep Kumar, Programme Officer, delivered the vote of thanks. A motivational session was conducted by Dr. Mani Paul and students, employers, skill development agency representatives and alumni shared their experiences. Following that, the cultural programmes performed by the students were also staged.

'Kurunthotti' Cultivation has became a big hit at Varavoor. Kudumbashree members cultivated 'Kurunthotti' (Sida Retusa) in seven acres of land in Varavoor CDS of Thrissur district and yielded about 6 tonnes. The marketing is also done through Mattathoor Labor Society at Rs. 75 per kg! The farming was done integrating with the Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Scheme under the leadership of Navara JLG of Trupti NHG.

Kudumbashree members literally celebrated the Kurunthotti harvest which started on 18 December 2023. Ms. P.P. Sunitha, President, Grama Panchayat inaugurated the harvest festival. Ms. P.K. Anitha, Ward Member presided over the function. Ms. P.K. Yashoda, Shri. T.A. Hidayatullah, Chairpersons, Standing committee, Ms. Bindu P.M, Vice Chairperson, Shri M.K. Alfred, Member Secretary, Ms. T.C. Satyabhama, CDS Member, Ms. T.A. Naseema, ADS Chairperson and Kudumbashree members were part of the harvest festival. It was able to create 1087 employment days as per the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. One can also get income by selling Kurunthotti seedlings.

Kudumbashree with further achievement of world records in 2023. Kudumbashree achieved four world records this year on the strength of effective implementation of innovative ideas such as the Largest Thiruvathira, Largest Canvas Painting by Tribal students, Mega Stamping Drama & Most Varieties of Cooked Millet Dishes at Display.

Mega Thiruvathira organized by the Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission during the occasion of Onam, 720 feet long picture drawn by the tribal students of Attappady, Mega Stamping Drama organized on the occasion of the National Saras Mela got the Talent World Record and most recently, the Most Varieties of Cooked Millet Dishes at Display bagged the Best India World Record.

Mega Thiruvathira was organized at Government College Ground, Kuttanellur, Thrissur on 30 August 2023 with the participation of 7027 women. The second was the achievement of being the largest canvas painting by tribal students. Last October, 186 children of Attappady created a 720-feet-long painting that brought pride to the entire tribal community and won the world record of the Maharashtra-based Talent Record Book. This activity which was conducted as part of the Aspirational Programme, jointly by Kudumbashree, Attappady Block Panchayat is one of the notable achievements of the year 2023.

Two world records are in connection with the National Saras Mela which was started on 21 December 2023 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Ernakulam. The Stamping Drama performed by 504 women on 24 December 2023 gave Kudumbashree the Talent Record of the Mega Stamping Drama with the largest number of women. The theme was the development history of Kudumbashree over a quarter of a century. On 29 December 2023, eighty women from the Scheduled Tribes region of Attappady and Ernakulam district joined together and got the Best India World Record for preparing 501 different food dishes from millets.

Kudumbashree is also hoping for the Asia Book of Award for being able to train the largest number of people in a short period of time through the 'Back to School' Campaign launched on 1 October 2023 under the leadership of Kudumbashree. Officials visited Thrissur district on 28 December 2023 to monitor and evaluate the campaign activities as part of awarding. So far 37 lakh women have been trained. It is also expected to make it to the Limca Books of Awards.

A turnover of Rs. 11.84 crores was achieved through the National Saras Mela organized from 21 December 2023 to 2 January 2024 at the Kaloor International Stadium Ground, Ernakulam with the participation of rural entrepreneurs from across the country. Out of this, Rs.10,45,34,130 is through product marketing and Rs.1,39,20,816 is through food court. More than 500 entrepreneurs who participated in the fair from 25 states and one union territory including Kerala will get this income.

Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Haryana came in first, second and third in terms of product variety, arrangement and turnover. Wayanad district came first from Kerala. Kozhikode and Ernakulam districts came in second and third places respectively. As part of the Saras Mela, the Indian Food Court was set up that consisted of sixteen stalls that showcased the flavors of Kerala and other states such as Rajasthan, Telangana, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Entrepreneurs of Kudumbashree Kerala Chicken Outlets have also achieved great success this time through Saras Mela. All the chicken required for the food court was supplied through Kudumbashree Kerala Chicken Outlets. A total of 4817 kg of chicken was distributed and the income was more than five and a half lakh rupees. Saras Mela is organized as part of promoting rural enterprises in India and finding more markets for traditional rural products.

The Awards of 'Sargam 2023', the State Level Story Writing Competition organized for Kudumbashree members have been distributed. Ms. Sindhu Thomas, an NHG member who came first in the competition and is a native of Idukki received the Award which consisted of a cash prize of Rs. 15,000, memento and certificate from Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at the closing session of the Kochi National Saras Mela.

Ms. Safwana N, a native of Wayanad won the second prize. She was given the Award which consisted of a cash prize of Rs. 10,000, memento and certificate. Ms. Dhanya Shamjith, a native of Ernakulam who won the third prize was gifted with the Award which consisted of the Cash Prize of Rs. 5000, a memento and a certificate. Ms. Renjini E.P (Kottayam), Ms. Jiji K.V (Palakkad), Ms. Rosha Lijin (Thrissur) and Ms. Sreedevi K Lal (Ernakulam) who received the incentive prize were presented with a cash award of Rs.1500 each, a memento and a certificate.

The official closing ceremony of Kochi National Saras Mela was held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Ground, Ernakulam on 31 December 2023. Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department & Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the function. He said that Kudumbashree is the great movement of women in India. The Saras Mela was extended till 2 January 2024 following the heavy rush.

The Minister presented awards to the best entrepreneurs who participated in the Saras Mela. Media awards and awards to those who participated in the organization of the fair were presented at the event. Adv. M. Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Corporation presided over the function. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree presented the report.

Shri. T.J. Vinod, Shri. P.V. Srinijin, Shri. K.N. Unnikrishnan, MLAs, Ms. Rama Santhosh, Chairperson, Thrippunithura Municipality and Governing Body Member, Kudumbashree, Shri. N.S.K. Umesh IAS, District Collector, Ernakulam, Shri. P. M. Shafeeq, Joint Director, Local Self Government Department, Shri. Sreekanth, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, CDS Chairpersons and others participated. Ms. T. M Rejeena, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree bagged the Best of India World Record by preparing 501 dishes from stews to biryani using millets. Kudumbashree has achieved the record for the World's Largest Display of Cooked Millet Dishes. As part of the International Year of Millets, Kudumbashree successfully made a record attempt in connection with the Kochi National Saras Mela with the aim of bringing the properties of millets, which have many medicinal properties, to the public.

Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission, Kudumbashree Attappady Tribal Special Project, Kudumbashree Tribal and Gender (FNHW - Food, Nutrition, Health and Wash) projects jointly achieved the world record performance. Food was prepared by 80 members from the NHGs where the FNHW programme is being conducted in Attappady. They were guided by the culinary experts of Kudumbashree AIFRHM (Adebha- Athidhi Devo Bhava- Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management).

Ms. T. M Rejeena, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission received the certificate from Shri. Tony Chittettukalathil, Official, Best of India. Shri. B.S Manoj, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree State Mission, Assistant District Mission Coordinators of Ernakulam, Programme Officers and AIFRHM representatives participated in the event.

The world record exhibition was to create awareness among the public about how millets can be used as food on a daily basis, and the exhibition lined up food items such as snacks, sweet treats, salad, biryani, cookies, cold drinks, shakes, breakfast dishes, noodles, sandwiches and burgers made using millets such as ragi, little millet, pearl millet, kodo millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, sorghum.

501 dishes like cutlet, cookies, chocolate ball, fold boli, mysore pak, payasam, kozhukatta, pidi, madura seva, sandwich, chicken thina roll, thina ragi shawarma, noodles, spring roll, etc. were prepared. After the exhibition, the public was also given an opportunity to learn about millet dishes. This is the second time that Kudumbashree has achieved the world record in connection with the Kochi National Saras Mela. Earlier, Kudumbashree had achieved the world talent record with the Mega Stamping Drama.

The State Level Bala Parliament held for Balasabha members under the auspices of Kudumbashree had set a noteworthy representation. Adv. Antony Raju, Former Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala inaugurated the State Level Bala Parliament held at the Old Legislative Assembly Hall, Thiruvananthapuram on 28 December 2023. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree presided over the function. With a very lively question and answer session with the emergency resolution and walkout, the Kudumbashree State Level Bala Parliament became the epitome of a real parliament.  A total of 165 people, including 154 children from various districts and 11 children from Attappady, were part of the Bala Parliament and became the representatives of a total of 4.59 lakh children who are members of 31,612 Bala Sabha units in the state. 

Adv. Antony Raju said in the opening speech that programmes like Bala Parliament will help to give children a clear understanding about legislature, parliament and democracy along with gaining knowledge in the fields of science and technology. He released the magazine, 'Arivoonjal' prepared under the leadership of Kudumbashree Balasabha, by giving to Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree.

The children raised various issues in the Parliament like health, education, environment, hygiene and gender justice. Sooraja K.S from Kasaragod district and Nayana from Kollam district became the President and Prime Minister respectively. Azmin S from Alappuzha district became the Speaker and Sivanandan C.A from Kollam district became Leader of Opposition. Drishya J from Kozhikode district came the Deputy Speaker. Anaya. C (Kozhikode), Rasika Ramesh (Kannur), Athena Ratheesh (Alappuzha), Aryananda Anish (Kannur), Sandeep S. Nair (Malappuram), Nivedya. K (Kozhikode) came as ministers, Abhinav from Attappady became the Chief Marshal and Srinanda from Thrissur district came as ADC. Archana V. Nair of Pathanamthitta district became the Secretary General. Anumithra from Attappady and Tanisha J from Kasaragod district also came as Secretaries. After the Bala Parliament, the children also visited the new assembly building.

Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Rahu,  Balasabha Member from Ernakulam district read out the anti garbage pledge. Shri. Nafih Muhammed, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree offered the felicitation.  Kudumbashree PRO Nafih Muhammad offered greetings. Kudumbashree State Program Manager Arun P. Rajan proposed the vote of thanks. Shri. Arun P Rajan, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

Before the State Level Bala Parliament, District Level Bala Parliaments were also organized. Balasabhas are children's neighborhood groups formed by Kudumbashree to ensure the rights of children. Every year the State Level Bala Parliament is organized as a part of providing opportunities to children to understand the importance and extent of democratic system.

Kudumbashree secured the world record for the Mega Stamping Drama organized by Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission by lining up 504 NHG women. Kudumbashree secured the world talent record for Stamping Drama which has the largest number of female participants. The Stamping Drama was performed at the Durbar Hall, Ernakulam ground at 9:30 AM on 24 December 2023 as part of the promotion of the National Saras Mela being held in Kochi.

The Stamping Drama depicted the history of Kudumbashree for a quarter of a century. NHG members selected from the 14 blocks in the district took part in the Mega Stamping Drama. The performance was held after two weeks of training under the leadership of Shri. Raju Natarajan, stamping drama artist.

Shri. Sathar Aadoor, State President, All Guinness World Records, Dr. Winner Sharif, Ms. Rakshitha Jain, Officials, Talent Record Book were the judges. Shri. Ratheesh Pilikode, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Ms. T.M. Rejeena, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission and other officials attended the function.

Kudumbashree entrepreneurs launched 'Kochi Malhar' after 'Vanasundari' and 'Solai Milan'. Vanasundari and Solai Milan are already the shining stars of the Kudumbashree food fairs. Vanasundari and Solai Milan are delicious chicken dishes prepared with special flavours.

Kudumbashree has now introduced a new signature dish as part of the Kochi National Saras Mela and named it as 'Kochi Malhar'. Kochi Malhar is prepared using birds eye chillies, green chillies, raw mango, brindle berry, curry leaves, shallots, fenugreek powder, coconut milk, tiger prawns, pearl spot fish and white fleshed fish. The cooking is done without using oil. This food prepared by the Nirbhaya Kudumbashree unit is available at the food court of the Saras Fair being held at Ernakulam from 26 December 2023 onwards. Kochi Malhar was introduced by Ms. Asha Sarath, leading film star and dancer at a function held at the Saras Fair on 23 December 2023.