Kudumbashree Agri Expo-'Thrithala Polima', an Extensive Agricultural Exhibition and Marketing Fair has started at Palakkad. Adv. V.P Rejeena, President, Thrithala Block Panchayat inaugurated the Expo at the premises of Velliyamkallu Irrigation Project, Thrithala, Palakkad. Ms. P.K. Jaya, President, Thrithala Grama Panchayat presided over the function.

The Agri Expo is organized With the objective of reviving the agricultural sector by introducing innovative methods and techniques, to bring the increasing potential of value added products and bringing the necessary machinery and practical knowledge to the farmers. The stalls of leading Central and State Research Institutes in Agricultural Sector, Department of Agriculture and other related departments, agricultural machinery, various products prepared by Kudumbashree farmers and entrepreneurs of the district, informative discussions, Seminars and Food Fair with mouth-watering dishes prepared by Kudumbashree is also organized as part of the programme.

Shri. Sharafudeen Kalathil, President, Kapoor Grama Panchayat, Ms. T Suhara, President, Thirumittacode Grama Panchayat, Shri. K. P Sreenivasan, Vice President, Thrithala Grama Panchayat, Ms. Shaniba Teacher, Member, Palakkad District Panchayat, Shri. Kammukutty Edathol, Member, Palakkad District Panchayat, Ms. Kubra Shahjahan, Member, Thrithala Block Panchayat, Ms. Deepa P, Chairperson, Development Standing Committee, Thrithala Grama Panchayat, Ms. T.V. Sabitha, Chairperson, Health Education Standing Committee, Thrithala Grama Panchayat, Shri. P. Aravindakshan, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee,Thrithala Grama Panchayat, Shri. P. V Muhammedali, Member, Thrithala Grama Panchayat, Shri. M. Gopinathan,  Member, Thrithala Grama Panchayat, Ms. Sujitha Jayaprakash, Chairperson, Thrithala CDS, Shri. P Velayudhan, Shri. K. Babu Nazar, Shri. Ali Master, Shri. K. P Siddique, Shri. K. R Balan, Shri. K. K Chandradas, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission, Dr. Shanavas, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Dr. Rana Raj, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree and Dr. Shameena P.N, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree was also present at the function. The Agri Expo will come to an end on 14 September 2024.

A Micro Plan Workshop which focused on the rehabilitation of landslide victims in Meppadi Gram Panchayat of Wayanad district was organized on 9 September 2024 at Kalpetta of Wayanad. Ms. T.V. Anupama IAS, Special Secretary, Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the workshop led by Kudumbashree Mission under the Local Self-Government Department under the auspices of the District Administration. Ms. A Geetha IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree presided over the function. 

The objective of the workshop was to discuss and prepare plans and bring it to implementation for the rehabilitation of the disaster victims. Ms. D.R. Meghashree IAS, District Collector, Wayanad did the subject presentation and Shri. S Gautham Raj IAS, Assistant Collector, presented the Survey Report. The Government is planning to implement the project by strengthening the recovery and upliftment of the affected people in the mental, physical, financial and social sectors based on the survey conducted in 1009 households. Shri. N Jagajeevan, Consultant, Suchitwa Mission, gave leadership to the discussions regarding micro plan. 

Shri. P. K. Balasubramanian, District Mission Co-ordinator, Wayanad District Mission welcomed the gathering. Shri. Shibu N.P, Shri. Anishkumar M.S, Ms. Beena E, Shri. Prabhakaran M,  State Programme Managers, Kudumbashree and representatives of various departments took part in the workshop.  Shri. Nishad C.C, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

New outlet has started at Pandalam of Pathanamthitta as part of the Second Phase of Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant Network. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala performed the inauguration of the Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant at DTPC Amenity Centre, Kulanada, Pandalam on 10 September 2024.

The characteristics of Kudumbashree are many. The most important of them is their innate talent or gift in cooking flavorful food. The food court run by Kudumbashree as a part of Keraleeyam had a record turnover. Wherever Kudumbashree Fairs are held, be it Saras Mela or other fairs, we can see this specialty of Kudumbashree. That is why Kudumbashree decided to develop it as an enterprise. The Minister said.

We started Janakeeya Hotels during covid. Actually it was an intervention meant only for the time of covid. The Community Kitchen was set up under the leadership of Kudumbashree. The Government and local bodies provide significant support to Janakeeya Hotels based on the Government's vision that no one should starve. The building, water and electricity are provided by the local body free of cost. The Civil Supplies Department is providing rice at subsidized rates. Apart from that, there is a cash subsidy from the Government. Although it has started to cool down during the covid period, it is still going on. But that is not enough. The Minister added.

The Minister also said that Kudumbashree started Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurants based on the vision that it should grow as an enterprise to a higher level. It has become a huge hit everywhere. I myself inaugurated the first restaurant in Angamaly. It is still very crowded. Those restaurants have been able to create acceptance among people. He said.

Ms. Veena George, Minister for Health and Woman and Child Development, Government of Kerala, in her video message said that Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant will be an initiative that will benefit travelers on MC Road as well as  pilgrims in a big way. For Kudumbashree, there is no doubt that this premium restaurant will provide all kinds of impetus in the journey ahead. She added.

Shri. Jiji Mathew, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee, Pathanamthitta District Panchayat presided over the function. Shri. Sreekanth A.S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Ms. Bindu Rekha, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

Shri. R Ajayakumar, Chairman, District Panchayath Standing Committee, Shri. R Thulaseedharan Pillai, President, Block Panchayath President's Association, Shri. Paul Rajan, President, Pandalam Block Panchayat, Shri. K.P Udayabhanu, District Secretary, CPI(M), Shri. P. K Sasidharan, District Secretary, CPI, Shri. Satheesh Kochuparambil, President, District Congress Committee, Adv. V.A Sooraj, District President, BJP, Shri. Saji Alex, District President, Kerala Congress (M), Shri. Mathew Koshy, Executive Member, DTPC, Shri. T Murukesh, Executive Member, DTPC, Shri. Manoj Madhavasseril, Executive Member, DTPC, Shri. M Sasikumar, Executive Member, DTPC, Shri. Subair Kutty, Deputy Director, DTPC, Shri. Binosh Kunjappan, Secretary, DTPC, Shri. Shaju George, General Manager, Kerala Bank, Ms. Ayini Santhosh, Chairperson, Kulanada CDS and Shri. K.S. Sajith, Regional Manager, Kerala Bank was also present at the function. The Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant opened has Banquet Hall, Kiosk, Non AC Refreshment Hall and Juice Counter.

Kudumbashree launched Café Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant to enjoy premium services and special dishes and unique local dishes prepared by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. In the first phase, Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurants were opened at Angamaly, Meppadi of Wayanad and Guruvayoor. The restaurant started at Pandalam of Pathanamthitta is the fourth outlet opened in the Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant network.

Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala performed the State Level Inauguration of the Kudumbashree Onam Marketing Fair during the function held at Old Private Bus Stand, Pathanamthitta on 10 September 2024. Ms. Veena George, Minister for Health and Woman and Child Development, Government of Kerala presided over the function.

The Minister said that Kudumbashree made record sales of Rs 23.22 crores through Onam Market Fairs during last year and it is expected that Kudumbashree will break that record this year. The aim is to make a sale of Rs 30 crores. The Minister said that Kudumbashree is a movement that turns everything that touches into gold. So that would be a much easier task for Kudumbashree to achieve this aim. The specialty of this year's Onam is that under the leadership of Kudumbashree, not only fruits, vegetables and paddy are cultivated as usual. Floriculture has also been done extensively this time. Flower cultivation has been done in 1253 acres under the leadership of Kudumbashree in Kerala through more than 3000 women farmer groups. All the flowers needed for Onam will be provided by Kudumbashree. Similarly, 11298 Kudumbashree women farmers' groups cultivated vegetables and fruits for Onam in Kerala on 6798 acres. Kudumbashree will present not only the flowers required for Onam but also vegetables and fruits. Kudumbashree's intervention is helping to contain the price rise in the Onam market to a great extent. Kudumbashree is making a notable intervention through these Onam Markets and it is highly appreciable. The Minister said. 

The Minister added that it was Kudumbashree that made the largest contribution to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) for the survivors of Wayanad Landslides. It is a matter of pride that Kudumbashree made a contribution of Rs 20.07 crores. Kudumbashree has once again proved that it is the epitome of women power. He said. The intervention of Kudumbashree in Wayanad is not limited to this. The Two Day Workshop for preparing the micro plan for the affected families in Wayanad was completed yesterday. Kudumbashree is preparing a micro plan for every affected family to extend them the needed support. Kudumbashree gave leadership to the Community Kitchens, Help Desks and Sanitation. Under the leadership of Community Counsellors, Kudumbashree stepped in to extend mental support to the affected people. This shows the abundance of the interventions of Kudumbashree.

Ms. Veena George, Minister for Health and Woman and Child Development, Government of Kerala said that the Kudumbashree Movement is one of the greatest examples that Kerala has given to the world in the present era. She also added that women empowerment had effectively and beautifully made social advancement possible. 

The Minister also performed the official declaration of the First Phase Completion of K-LIFT in Pathanamthitta district and the release of the 'Jeevanam' Handbook. Ms. Veena George, Minister for Health and Woman and Child Development, Government of Kerala received the handbook. 

Through Onam Marketing Fair Kudumbashree aims at providing products to consumers at fair prices during Onam. 2140 Marketing Fairs i.e., two in each of the 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree and 14 District Level Fairs will be organized. According to this, there will be a total of 2154 Marketing Fairs of Kudumbashree all across Kerala in connection with Onam. Each district will be given Rs.2 lakhs and Rs.20,000 each for Rural and Urban CDSs for organizing District Level Marketing Fairs. Apart from this, if more than two Marketing Fairs are organized in Urban CDSs, Rs 10,000 will be given for every Marketing Fair conducted. Through Onam Marketing Fairs, entrepreneurs in Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise-Agricultural Sectors will get the best opportunity to earn income by selling their products. The Marketing Fair will conclude on 14 September 2024.

Shri. R Ajayakumar, Chairman, District Panchayath Standing Committee performed the inauguration of the District Level Kerala Chicken Project. He also performed the first sale of the Onam Kit.  Shri. Jiji Mathew, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee performed the launch of the Curry Powder Products and the first sale. He also distributed the equipment to Home Shop members. The inauguration of the 'Plastic Carry Bag Free Pathanamthitta Campaign' and the Loan Disbursement was performed by Ms. Nirmala Devi, Director, Kerala Bank. Shri. Ajith Kumar, Co-ordinator, Suchitwa Mission explained about the 'Plastic Carry Bag Free Pathanamthitta Campaign'. The District Level launch of the Branded Chips was also done during the function. Dr. Rana Raj V.R, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree and Chief Executive Officer, Kerala Chicken, explained about the Kerala Chicken Project. Shri. Anish Vasudevan, Designer, who designed the logo of Aaravam 2024, the District Level Onam Marketing Fair was felicitated at the function. The certificate of Dheeram Karate Training programme was distributed by Ms. Ponnamma Sasi, Chairperson, Pathanamthitta Municipality. The video produced for the marketing of the products made by BUDS Children was screened during the function.  

Adv. Pramod Narayanan, MLA, Ranni Constituency, Adv. K. U Janeesh Kumar, MLA, Konni Constituency, Shri. K.P Udayabhanu, District Secretary, CPI(M), Shri. P. K Sasidharan, District Secretary, CPI was also present at the function. Ms. Raji P Rajappan, President, District Panchayath welcomed the gathering and Ms. Aadila S, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

Haritha Karma Sena members in the state will get support from the Government to celebrate onam this time. The Government has given permission to the Corporations, Municipalities and Grama Panchayats to allocate Rs. 1000 each from the separate fund of the local bodies as festival allowance to the Haritha Karma Sena members. The Haritha Karma Sena members were also granted Festival Allowance in 2023 as well. The action is taken in consideration of the Kudumbashree Director's letter to the Government requesting that steps be taken to provide Festival Allowance in the same manner this year as well.

Kudumbashree will become a strong presence in Onam Flower Market this time as well. The flower cultivation which started across the state in view of the onam market is all set for harvesting. Marigold, jasmine and lotus are mainly cultivated. Currently, flower cultivation is progressing in 1253 acres of land. Last year, 1819 Farmer Groups were involved in floriculture on 780 acres. This time the aim was to start flower cultivation on a thousand acres. But currently 1253 acres of flower cultivation is done by 3000 women farmer groups.

It is on recognizing the growing demand for flowers in the Onam Market, Kudumbashree women farmers entered this sector. The aim is to provide flowers at affordable prices to make the onam celebrations more beautiful. And the fact that they can earn good income in a short period of time also attracts farmers to floriculture. There is a huge demand for flowers from the farms ready for harvesting itself. Along with this, Kudumbashree's flowers will be available in more than 2000 Onam Markets and other markets across the state starting on 10 September 2024.

Paddy, banana and vegetables are also cultivated all over the state through Kudumbashree Farmer Groups. Apart from this, now they are also active in floriculture. The activities are done in connection with the respective CDSs.

Kudumbashree's Onam Market will start on 10 September 2024 all across the state with various products for Keralites to celebrate Onam. Through Onam Markets Kudumbashree aims at providing products to consumers at fair prices during Onam. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala will perform the State Level Inauguration of the Kudumbashree Onam Markets during the function proposed to be held at Pathanamthitta on 10 September 2024.

2140 Marketing Fairs i.e., two in each of the 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree and 14 District Level Fairs will be organized. According to this, there will be a total of 2154 Marketing Fairs of Kudumbashree all across Kerala in connection with Onam. Each district will be given Rs.2 lakhs and Rs.20,000 each for Rural and Urban CDSs for organizing District Level Marketing Fairs. Apart from this, if more than two Marketing Fairs are organized in Urban CDSs, Rs. 10,000 will be given for every Marketing Fair conducted. The full participation of all individual and group entrepreneurs has already been ensured for the success of Onam Markets. In connection with its effective implementation of the same, preparatory meetings of District Missions, formation of organizing committee and entrepreneurial meetings have also been completed.

Through Onam Market Fairs, entrepreneurs in Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise-Agricultural Sectors will get the best opportunity to earn income by selling their produce. For this, at least one product from each NHG will be brought to the fairs. The products produced by the entrepreneurs working in the micro-enterprise sector will be brought to the fair. Kudumbashree branded products including 'Fresh Bites' Banana Chips and Sarkaravaratti (Jaggery coated Banana Chips) will be brought to the market. Apart from this, various types of cereal powders, food products, value added products, handicrafts and garments will also be available. All the products that reach the market will have a cover with the Kudumbashree logo, packaging and label with unit name, price, production date and marketing period. Also, agricultural products produced under the leadership of women farmers and entrepreneurs will also be brought to the fair. To fill the Kudumbashree Onam Markets, different kinds of flowers like chrysanthemum, marigold, jasmine and lotus grown by women farmers will be brought this time.

In connection with the Onam Marketing Fair, various art programmes will be staged in most of the CDSs under the leadership of NHG members and Balasabha members. The marketing fair will conclude on 14 September 2024.

The Guidelines of 'Kudumbashree Happy Keralam- Happiness Centre' was released. Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala launched released the guidelines of 'Kudumbashree Happy Keralam- Happiness Centre', being implemented by Kudumbashree in Kerala which aims at raising the Happiness Index of the families. The Guidelines is prepared for the trainers. The guidelines will also include a training module and model for collecting data from families as part of the project.

Ms. K. S Bindu, Director, Kudumbashree, Dr. B Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Ms. Krishna Kumari, State Assistant Programme Manager, Ms. Asha Panicker, Editorial Assistant, Kudumbashree, Ms. Chaithanya G, Communication Specialist, Ms. Manjary Asok, Communication Specialist, Shri. Arjun Prathap, Office Secretarial Staff, Ms. O. S Preetha, Chairperson, Aruvikkara CDS and Ms. Sunitha Kumari, Chairperson, Aryanad CDS was also present at the function. 

Kudumbashree is moving ahead with strong efforts to deliver Kudumbashree products to homes with a single click. As part of this, Kudumbashree organized a two-day expert training programme for the members of the District Level Master Training Group with the aim of guiding the entrepreneurs to use online marketing channels effectively. Kudumbashree is carrying out these activities under the 100 Days Programme of the State Government. 90 people selected as master trainers from the districts participated in the training program organized at Government Guest House, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram on 30-31 August 2024.

The District Level Master Training Groups will consist of six persons namely District Programme Manager, 2 Block Co-ordinators each and Micro Enterprise Consultants and staff from Kudumbashree Fulfillment Centres to assist entrepreneurs. They will provide training to Micro Enterprise Consultants and Block Co-ordinators in their respective districts. Those who have received this training will also provide training to entrepreneurs at the field level.

Training was given on various topics such as methods of marketing products, courier packaging, shipping, logistics, handling of returned products etc on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) and Kudumbashree's Pocketmart. Representatives of Time Co Training Agency, ONDC, Ship Rocket, Pocketmart and Shri. A.S. Sreekanth, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Shri, Muhammed Shan S.S, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Shri. Shaiju R.S, State Assistant Programme Manager, Ms. Aswathi L, State Assistant Programme Manager and Ms. Anjima Surendran, State Assistant Programme Manager gave leadership to the training.

Along with the contribution of Rs. 20 crores to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund, Kudumbashree is doing as many exemplary actions for the comprehensive rehabilitation of Mundakkai & Chooralmala in Wayanad. As part of the rehabilitation activities, Kudumbashree has completed the family survey of all the families in the three wards as per the instructions of the District Administration. Based on this, the activities related to the preparation of the micro plan required for the families are progressing rapidly.

A total of Rs.7,22,500 (Rupees Seven Lakh Twenty Two Thousand Five Hundred Only) has been provided under Kudumbashree Jeevan Deepam Insurance to the heirs of the nine NHG members who died in the disaster. This will be very helpful for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Recommendations have also been given to the State Level Bankers Committee for writing off the bank loans of the deceased.

A job fair was organized under the leadership of Wayanad District Administration and Kudumbashree for the job seekers in the disaster-affected areas and currently 59 people have been provided employment. A final list of 127 people was also prepared. The aim is to provide them with suitable employment as soon as possible. A Community Mentoring System has also been started. As a part of this, the services of 20 Community Mentors have also been ensured as one mentor for 50 families.

Kudumbashree members led the help desks that was started in the relief camps under the leadership of the Government the very next day after the disaster. In addition, food distribution to those staying in the camps, cleaning of the camps under the leadership of Harithakarmasena, Kudumbashree members and Counseling under the leadership of Community Counselors were also undertaken and implemented. In this way, Kudumbashree, the model institution of women's empowerment is implementing many precautionary measures in disaster areas to provide shade for the survivors.