A group of students visited Kudumbashree to learn about the poverty eradication activities being implemented by Kudumbashree in Kerala. A group of 22 students and 3 teachers studying in various universities in US arrived at the Kudumbashree State Mission Office, Thiruvananthapuram on 4 January 2023 for a study visit.

The officials of State Mission explained about the working methods of Kudumbashree. The team also visited the Nutrimix unit operating at Kalluvettamkuzhi under Thiruvananthapuram Corporation CDS 4. The students came to India for a three-week study visit as part of the India Wintering Program conducted under the auspices of the Laurie Baker Centre for Habitat Studies (LBC).

Haritha Karma Sena has made notable accomplishment by removing 4836 tons of plastic waste in one year. Haritha Karma Sena Unit comprises of a group of women who relentlessly work like a well-oiled machine in the nooks and corners of Kerala. Harithakarmasena, a group spearheading sustainable waste management activities under the leadership of Suchithwa  Mission, Haritha Keralam Mission and Kudumbashree, is providing invaluable services.

They have removed 4836.262 tons of plastic waste from our Kerala during the last one year itself and that itself shows the magnitude of the silent revolution of Haritha Karma Sena. This achievement was achieved by 28,235 green workers working in various local self-government bodies in Kerala. The Haritha Karma Sena members who have taken up this effort to save nature from the menace of waste are not the paid employees of the government.  Haritha Karma Sena members survive only on a meager user fee, which takes care of the garbage that the public disposes of.

Unfortunately there has been a current widespread social media campaign that Haritha Karma Sena who work so effectively for us and future generations should not be paid a fixed user fee is completely baseless. The fact is that, in the Right To Information document circulated along with this news, there is no mention of any user fee being paid to Green Karma Sena.

The formation and functioning of Haritha Karma Sena is as per the Government Order G.O (RT) No. 1496/2020/LSGD dated 12/08/2020, which approved the Haritha Karma Sena operational guidelines. There will be two members per ward in the Haritha Karma Sena in the local body area. Households and establishments are obliged to pay the user fee fixed by the local self-government bodies to Haritha Karma Sena members for collecting plastic waste. This is as per the rules 4(3) and 15(f) of the Plastic Waste Management Rules issued by the Central Government in 2016.

The Haritha Karma Sena are doing activities such as visiting every house, collecting non-organic waste, sorting them and handing over the recyclables to the companies for that purpose, and handing over the non-organic waste for activities like road tarring. They also provide solutions and suggestions for household organic waste management.

It is expected that everyone will support Green Karma Sena, which is very helpful in fulfilling the duty of keeping one's own house and environment clean by following the general principle of 'My Garbage is My Responsibility' and will keep the morale of Green Karma Sena intact by not believing or sharing baseless information.

Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission's 'Aaravam 2022', the Christmas-New Year trade fair which was a huge hit was concluded. 'Aaravam 2022', the Christmas-New Year trade fair was held at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, Palakkad under the leadership of Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission. The trade fair which was started on 23 December 2022 in connection with the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Kudumbashree was inaugurated by Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala. The trade fair was concluded on 30 December 2022 with the tribal art fair 'Thudi'.

Shri. V.K. Sreekandan, MP inaugurated 'Thudi' Tribal Art Fair. Traditional art forms of the tribal groups of Vandazhi, Ayiloor, Perumatty, Vadakarapathy, Kozhinjampara, Muthalamada and Attappady CDS such as Muramkottippaatu, Kathirukali, Vattakkali Kathiruthsavam, Kalyana dance, Kummippaatt, Kummiyadi, Aadi Malayar dance, Kadar dance, Gothra dance, Vaduka dance, Aattamppaatu, around 14 programs were staged on the stage.

In connection with the fair, a tribal nutritious food exhibition fair was also organized as part of the FNHW (Food, Nutrition, Health, Wash - Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) project of the National Rural Livelihood Mission. District level tug-of-war competition for NHG members, Mehndi Fest for Auxiliary group members and film festival for Balasabha members boosted the excitement of the fair. Also, during every evening there were art performances and seminars on various topics including BUDS, Balasabha, Auxiliary group members and special neighborhood groups of the district.

Ms, K. Binu Mol, President, District Panchayath presided over the inauguration of 'Thudi' Tribal Art Fair. Shri. B.S. Manoj, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission welcomed the gathering. Ms. Baby Chandran, Chairperson, Palakkad Municipal Welfare Standing Committee,  Ms. Padmini Teacher, Member, District Panchayath Education Standing Committee and Ms. Reetha P.D, Chairperson, Palakkad South CDS extended their greetings. Shri. Jijin. G,  Kudumbashree District Programme Manager delivered vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree Alappuzha District team formed 'Ekam' Sexual Minority Forum to reach out to the sexual minorities, who are always marginalized in the society. The aim of this district level forum called 'Ekam' is to provide them with the necessary support systems, services and opportunities to get opportunities and equal rights regardless of gender in all sectors of the society. The forum was formed under the leadership of the 'Pratheeksha' and 'Nanma' Transgender NHGs operating in Alappuzha district.

Ms. K.G. Rajeshwari, President, District Panchayath inaugurated the forum. Shri. Prasanth Babu J, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission presided over the function. Adv. Riyas, Member, District Panchayath, Shri. Abin, Officer, District Social Justice Department, Shri. James, Member, Youth Welfare Board, Shri. V.G. Vishnu, President, District Olympic Association, Shri. Xavier K.V, Shri. Suresh M.G, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission extended their greetings. Hima and Gangadharan spoke on behalf of the NHGs Pratheeksha and Nanma. Ms. Sunitha, District Programme Manager delivered the vote of thanks.

Apart from Alappuzha, district level Sexual Minority Forum has been formed in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode districts in the state so far. It is aimed to complete the formation of Sexual Minority Forums in all districts, this year itself.

'Had first aid been given on time, that life could have been saved. Everyone should learn first aid. First aid studies should be included in the curriculum itself. All of us must have heard about first aid and its importance at least once'. Realizing the importance of first aid, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission has come forward with revolutionary work after realizing the importance of first aid and has launched 'Kudumbashree Health Brigade'. 

The district team has started the activities of forming 'Kudumbashree Health Brigade' with the aim of equipping at least one member of a family in the district with knowledge of first aid and preparing them to work in emergency situations. In the first phase, 300 master trainees will be selected and will be trained in five batches. In the second phase, 30,000 volunteers are trained with the help of master trainees. Trained volunteers work as a team called 'Kudumbashree Health Brigade'. The health brigade will also be given periodic training to improve their skills to handle any emergency situation. So far, out of the total 15 blocks, the master trainees in nine blocks have completed their training. The training of the remaining six blocks will be completed in January.

Malappuram District team is conducting this activity in association with Department of Community Medicine, MES Medical College as part of FNHW (Food, Nutrition, Health, Wash - Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programme. The third batch of Basic Life Support training programme was held at Municipal Town Hall, Manjeri on 18 December 2022. Ms. Hasina, CDS Chairperson, Manjeri welcomed the gathering and Ms. Rubiraj, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree explained the project.

Shri. Jafar Kakkooth, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission, Dr. Ashwin Raj and Dr. Fatima spoke at the programme. Kudumbashree Block Co-ordinators, Office Staff and health workers of MES Medical College Community Medicine Department  participated. Dr. Fatima Taslima gave a class on first aid to the trainees. Later, groups were formed under the leadership of  Dr. Ashwin Raj, Dr. Fatima Taslima, Dr. Athul Suresh, Dr. Ajith V, Dr. Nimshid, Dr. Shanub, Shri. Satish Kumar, Health Inspector and Shri. Robin, Medical Social Worker and the training was conducted.

Kudumbashree is organizing 'Sargam 2023'- State Level Story Writing Competition (Malayalam) to develop the creative potential of Kudumbashree Women and to raise them to the art and literary sectors. Cash prizes of Rs. 15,000, Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 5000 will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners respectively. In addition, five winners of the consolation prize will be given Rs. 1500 each. Winners will be given a memento and certificate along with cash award. Last date for receipt of entries is 25 January 2023.

The award winners will be selected by a jury consisting of prominent literary figures. 40 people who send the best writings also have the opportunity to participate in the three-day literary camp 'Sargam-2023' organized by Kudumbashree. The stories along with the author's name, address, phone number and a certificate of CDS Chairperson proving membership of Kudumbashree should be made available by post or courier to the following address by 25 January 2023. Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree State Poverty Eradication Mission, Trida Building-2nd Floor, Medical College P.O.,Thiruvananthapuram-695 011. The entries sent through e-mail and WhatsApp will not be considered for the competition. For more information about the competition, visit : www.kudumbashree.org/sargam2023

SARAS Mela held at Kottayam makes sales of around Rs. 8.51 crores. The fair was held in just nine days after the opening day. Meanwhile, there was only one public holiday. However, the huge crowd that flocked to the Nagampadam Maidanam made the National SARAS Mela organized by Kudumbashree resounding success and gave Kudumbashree a proud achievement.

A turnover of Rs. 8,51,14,327 was made through SARAS Mela, the product exhibition and marketing fair held from 15 to 24 December 2022. The turnover at the India Food Court alone, which was held along with the SARAS Mela where Kottayam experienced the flavors of various states, was Rs. 1,02,24,410. The National SARAS Mela was a great success with a wide variety of products from rural entrepreneurs in India.

SARAS Mela held at Kottayam concluded on 24 December 2022. Shri. V.N. Vasavan, Minister for Cooperation and Culture, Government of Kerala inaugurated the valedictory function. The Minister said that Kudumbashree National Saras Mela, which is a success of women's determination and organization, has indeed created a history. He was inaugurating the concluding session of the Kudumbashree National Saras Mela held for 10 days at Nagampadam of Kottayam.

As a result of the collaboration, the Saras Mela has achieved a turnover of more than Rs. 7 crores. With public participation, display and marketing of various products, a variety of foods were brought to the masses and could compete with any other Saras Mela. It has become a fair that can be enjoyed by people from all sections of the district. The Minister also said that we have been able to provide quality products at the lowest prices. The Minister also appreciated Kudumbashree for making Saras Mela a success. The Minister also distributed Media Awards, Awards for the Best Stalls, plaques and letters of appreciation during the occasion.

Ms. Nirmala Jimmy, President, Kottayam District Panchayath presided over the function. Ms. Bincy Sebastian, Chairperson, Kottayam Municipality, Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Ms. K.V Bindu, Member, Kottayam District Panchayath, Shri. Abhilash Divakar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission, Ms. Sreeja Anil, Member, Kottayam Municipality, Ms. Ajitha Gopakumar, Chairperson, Kottayam North CDS, Ms. P.G. Jyothimol, Chairperson, Kottayam South CDS also participated in the function.

'Idukki Unique' was selected as the Best Food Stall from Kerala and 'Orchid' from Sikkim was selected as the Best Non-State Food Stall. Lakshya Juice Stall from Ernakulam, led by Ms. Amrita, transgender entrepreneur received a special mention. 'Krishnanjali Coconut Shell Craft' from Kollam was selected as the Best Marketing Stall from Kerala and Annapurani SHG Jute Bag Stall from Tamil Nadu was selected as the Best Non-State Marketing Stall. Shri. V.N. Vasavan, Minister, distributed the Awards for the stalls.

Panathady CDS of Kasaragod district of Kerala has received the APMAS Award 2022 for the Best Self Help Group in South India. Shri. E. Dayakar Rao, Minister, Panchayathi Raj and Rural Development Department, Telangana State presented the award at the function held at Dr. MCR Human Resource Development Institute, Hyderabad on 17 December 2022. President, Panathady Gram Panchayath,  CDS Chairperson, Accountant, Kudumbashree  District Mission Coordinator, Kasaragod and Assistant District Mission Coordinator, Kasaragod jointly received the award.

APMAS (Andhra Pradesh Mahila Abhivriddhi Society) functioning  in Hyderabad, working with the help of NABARD, selected Panathady CDS for the award based on various criteria such as excellent service to NHG members, governance, animal welfare, agriculture, loan repayment, small scale industries and tribal interventions. Panathady CDS was selected for the award from a total of 320 nominations received.

The Vocal Booth set up at SARAS Mela Pavilion to record the views & thoughts about Kudumbashree is standing out unique.  By setting up the vocal booth, an opportunity is set up for the public attending the National SARAS Mela in Kottayam to decide the future of Kudumbashree as it completes 25 golden years. The Vocal Boot space for commenting is set up in the Saras Mela Pavilion just before entering the product marketing stalls.

The soundproof room provides the facility to record comments about Kudumbashree in one's own voice. These comments are recorded on the hard disk. Many people including political and cultural leaders, high officials and general public have already shared their comments and suggestions about Kudumbashree through this space.

The SARAS Mela held at Nagampadam ground will come to an end on 24 December 2022.  The admission to SARAS Mela is absolutely free. SARAS Mela provides an opportunity to buy the products of the rural entrepreneurs of different states of India and enjoy different flavors. Also there are various artistic performances every day.