Renowned Journalist and Ramon Magsaysay Award laureate Shri. P. Sainath, visited Kudumbashree Mission on 13 September 2018. He also addressed the staff of Kudumbashree Mission and discussed about the calamities caused to the Kudumbashree Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) due to the unprecedented floods. He had also visited the flood affected agricultural fields of Kudumbashree JLGs.

Shri. P. Sainath said that the self confidence of the women of Kudumbashree JLGs are really appreciable. The growth of the Kudumbashree JLGs is based on regionalism. It is the biggest agricultural revolution that Kerala had witnessed after land reforms. On visiting the flood affected land it is understood that the lose caused to the JLGs is much more. But it is notable that the women managed to overcome the trauma caused due to the floods and the loss. They are confident that they could get back their livelihood through agriculture itself. They had attained thus self confidence and courage by getting united through Kudumbashree's activities. Sainath said.

He also added that its urgently needed to extend assistance in finding livelihood in agriculture sector. It is needed to frame new agricultural programmes for them based on modern scientific technologies. The production techniques of the corporate in agricultural sector are ruining the fertility of the soil and the products cultivated so are injurious to health. A time should come where we can consume food grains and agricultural products that are produced within 100 mile area from our homes.

Shri. Dathan. C.S. welcomed the gathering. Shri. S. Harikishore, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission. extended Vote of Thanks. Smt.Vishakha George, Banglore Correspondent, people Archive of India, Shri. S. Sabir Hussain, District Mission Coordinator, Pathanamthitta, Smt. Suja Eapen, District Mission Coordinator, Alappuzha also attended the programme.

The second phase training for replicating the Kudumbashree Model of poverty alleviation in Azerbaijan has been started. The two week training is being extended under the leadership of Kudumbashree NRO which was recognized by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, to provide support to other States in their poverty eradication efforts. Government of Azerbaijan had shown interest on Kudumbashree's organisational structure as well as in Micro Enterprises ad vulnerability studies and had approached Kudumbashree Mission during October 2017. As per the request, a group of officials from Kudumbashree had visited Azerbaijan and extended first phase training.It is on continuation with that the second phase training is being initiated.

The training for forming womens groups in Neighborhood group model in connection with the Azerbaijan Rural Investment Project (AZRIP) was extended during the first phase. Training was given for the AZIRP officials for conducting activities related to micro savings and for keeping the cash accounts. Along with the AZIRP officials, Kudumbashree officials has visited different centres in Azerbaijan and had given training classes. Based on the first phase training women groups had already been started in Azerbaijan. In the second phase, training will be extended for giving loans on the micro savings section and for starting micro enterprises i the livelihood development section. For this, two representatives from TREE Society (Training Resources for Enabling Enterprises Society) that offers business management training for rural micro-enterprises and producer companies to improve their profitability and viability, which extends training to Micro Enterprises Consultants is giving leadership for the training programme started at Azebaijan from 7 September 2018.

It was in 2012, that Kudumbashree Mission was recognized as a National Resource Organisation (NRO) by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to provide support to other States in their poverty eradication efforts. Kudumbashree NRO provides technical support to partner- SRLMs in collaborating the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI ) and Community Based Organisations (CBO) activities and micro enterprise development activities for the livelihoods. Presently, Kudumbashree NRO works in 18 states.

Training for Kudumbashree Members to become lottery ticket sellers was inaugurated at Lottery Agents and Sellers Welfare Board, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram on 12 September 2018. Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission inaugurated the training programme. He also purchased a ticket of Navakerala Lottery from a Kudumbashree member. While inaugurating the training for Kudumbashree members to become Lottery Ticket sellers, the Executive Director informed them that he will purchase one ticket from the first person who will come to his office. It was Smt. Rahyanath from Alappuzha who sold the ticket to the Executive Director. She had traveled all the way from Alappuzha to Thiruvananthapuram, as she wanted to be the Kudumbashree member who sell off the ticket to the Executive Director.

When the Executive Director tried to motivate her by saying about the income she may get by selling maximum number of tickets, she replied that her focus is not on her income. For her, by selling Navakerala lottery, the Kudumbashree fraternity will be able to help the government to get more funds to reconstruct Kerala. Shri. S. Harikishore, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission had shared this experience in his official facebook page. According to him, millions of people with this attitude are surely the strength of Kerala. He also believes that by involving in this activity of selling lotteries, Kudumbashree Mission will be able to contribute further to the rebuilding process of Kerala.

The Government of Kerala launched the Navakerala lottery in a bid to collect additional funds towards the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). The Government hopes to collect close to Rs 100 crore through the lotteries to be used for reconstructing the flood-battered state. The state government is printing 96 lakh tickets in nine series as part of the lottery. “The target of this special lottery is to raise Rs 100 crore, which will be the net profit for the state government after meeting all expenses of this special lottery, if all the 96 lakh tickets are sold. Government of Kerala entrusted Kudumbashree Mission as an agency to sell tickets to increase sales. Rs 250 is the cost per ticket. By selling one book of 10 tickets, the Kudumbashree member may receive Rs 553 as income.

Harithakarmasena of Koyilandy is active in making the Koyilandy  ULB neat and  clean.  It is as  part of  the 'Clean & Green' programme of Koyilandy ULB that  the Harithakarmasena members took  charge of collecting and segregating the waste from Koyilandy ULB. Shri. K.Sathyan, Chairman, Koyilandy  ULB inaugurated the distribution of the uniform, gum  boots, masks and gloves to the Harithakarmasena members recently.

The non biodegradable wastes were segregated and were  handed over to some agencies. Recently a shredding  unit was set up at Kunnoth, Koyilandy for shredding the non biodegradable wastes.

The  Harithakarmasena  at Koyilandy was launched during 2017.  The team consists of 88  members from 44  wards in Koyilandy ULB  and  12 members of Dhanashree which altogether makes 100 members. 88 of them collects wastes from their respective wards and the other 12 collects waste from the shops. The  team had earned an amount  of Rs 2.25 lakhs out of their waste management task, out of  which Rs 55,000 was paid as vehicle rent and  the rest was divided within themselves.

An amount of Rs.50 is being collected from the households and receipts are being given regarding the same.The Harithakarmasena members were active in flood  relief activities as well.

Kudumbashree Mission received the NRLM Award for the Outstanding Performance in Farm Livelihoods from Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Mines, Government of India at the function held at New Delhi on 11 September 2018. Shri.S.Harikishore, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission along with Shri. Dathan C.S, Programme Officer, Agriculture received the award on behalf of Kudumbashree Mission.

It is for the first time that Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), announced Awards for farm livelihoods under Mahila Kisan Sashakthikaran Pariyojana (MKSP). Kudumbashree Mission had been actively involved in promoting organic farming, scientific farming techniques based on new technologies, inclusion of women farmers, farming activities focusing on fallow lands, promotion of value addition units and identifying markets, extending support for tribal JLGs etc. The Award is conferred for Kudumbashree Mission for its notable efforts for retrieving the natural Eco system and the activities based on conserving the soil and water bodies.

National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is a poverty alleviation project implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. This scheme is focused on promoting self-employment and organization of rural poor. Mahila Kisan Sashakthikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) a sub component of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) which aims at increasing the visibility of women in agriculture, reducing drudgery and providing a livelihood opportunity by adopting sustainable and eco friendly agriculture. Kudumbashree Mission, the programme implementing agency (PIA) for Kerala, has undertaken the project through the institution of Joint Liability Group (JLG) of women farmers. The project target was kept at promoting 30,000 JLG, with 1,50,000 women farmers undertaking cultivation in 24,000 Ha. MKSP project focuses on capacity building of the farming community through the identification of best practices among the community.

Kudumbashree is the nodal agency of MKSP in Kerala. The National Awards to the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) are intended to provide public recognition to the outstanding performance and incorporate a sense of pride among the poor community members.

Amidst unprecedented floods and the calamities caused, Kudmbashree women of Alappuzha completed the construction of Life Mission House at Thanneermukkom within 53 days. Dr. T. M Thomas Issac, Minister for Finance and Coir, Government of Kerala appreciated the Kudumbashree women for their will power, hard work and self confidence through his official facebook page. It is within 53 days that the Kudumbashree women completed the construction of the 418 sq ft terraced house. Minister added that the 318 hour women mason training programme had really worked. Smt. Gowri Poothuraveli of ward 5, Thanneermukkom panchayath is the beneficiary of the house. The construction of the house was started on 11 June 2018 and was finished on 3 September 2018. Eksat is entrusted for extending the construction training at Alappuzha. The construction for Life Mission and the construction training for the women together are clubbed together to reduce the cost of construction. On the Job Training style is implemented here.

It is the sheer hard work of 35 Kudumbashree women which resulted in the completion of the house within 53 days. In the same manner, construction of 15 Life Mission houses are progressing in 15 grama panchayaths in Alappuzha District. A total of 415 women are getting trained in this way in Alappuzha District itself. Minister also appreciated Kudumbashree Mission for the day to day documentation of the work progress of the construction.Starting from the preparatory meeting to the general orientation to the management class to the practical classes, each and every milestone in the construction phase is documented by the Kudumbashree Mission. The cashbook from 8 June 2018 to 7 September 2018 is also included in the documented file.

It was on anticipating the huge shortage of labour force in the near future because of various determined Government campaigns of mass housing,that training was extended to women in construction sector. So that groups of micro contractors could be formed, who can take up the construction of houses of poor and needy, in addition to taking up of bigger projects. As a part of LIFE mission more than 2.5 lakh houses are being constructed in the state in this financial year. This provides huge employment opportunity for women construction groups. Further, once the construction groups completes 3/4 houses, it is aimed to upgrade them to become micro contractors for taking up various works of local self governments. Training is given by taking up the construction of the beneficiaries of various government schemes like PMAY(U), LIFE etc. Accredited agenicies like State Nirmithi Kendra, District Nirmithi Kendra, Maithri, Habitat, Thrissur Labour Contracting Society, Pinarayi Industrial Cooperative Society, Kerala State Housing Board, Kerala State Construction Corporation, Costford, Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, Kitco, Eksath etc are extending construction training to the identified groups in the respective districts under the leadership of the the District Mission Coordinators. Training on construction activities for Kudumbashree members aims to extend skill training for women in various trades in the construction industry for enhancing the skill of the women in construction related activities such that a sustainable income is generated.

Link to the detailed documentation of the Life Missiion house constructed at Thaneermukkom 

Kudumbashree women of Alappuzha packed more than 1 lakh flood relief kits for District Administration. With determination and compassion, the Kudumbashree Mission women packed a total of 1,06,000 relief kits. Shri. S. Suhas IAS, District Collector, Alappuzha inaugurated the distribution of the kits to Kudumbashree members and head loading workers. He also appreciated the Kudumbashree women for their efforts. It was as per the request of Shri. Krishna Teja IAS, Sub Collector, Alappuzha who wished to conduct a farewell function marking the end of the collection camp of the Kudumbashree women that the District Collector addressed the Kudumbashree women. Kudumbashree Mission was entrusted with the packing of the relief kits for the flood survivors by the Alappuzha District Administration. The packing camp was set up at SD College, Alappuzha.

More than 500 women had actively participated in the packing camp on daily basis. The Kudumbashree members from Alappuzha Municipality North, South CDS, Punnapra South CDS, Purakkad CDS and Kudumbashree women from relief camps were the active participants of the packing camp.

In between, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission was challenged by Shri. Krisha Teja IAS and Shri Balakiran IAS to pack 15,000 relief kits a day. The confident yet united team of Kudumbashree women under the leadership of Kudumbashree block coordinators set the record by packing 20,500 kits a day and had succeeded in the challenge of the IAS officers. It was on the Thiruvonam day that the packing was started. More than Kudumbashree members were present then. When the IAS officers asked to pack 15,000 kits a day, there were only 2 temporarily set up sheds. District Mission replied that they would do the same if there are more sheds. The District Administration set up 6 sheds for Kudumbashree women. The Kudumbashree District Mission of Alappuzha acted systematically by entrusting Kudumbashree block coordinators at each counters. With dedication and hard work they were able to pack 20500 kits a day and succeeded in the challenge then. It was also planned to give a remuneration for their efforts. The District Collector said that the District Administration would call for a meeting to felicitate the Kudumbashree women very soon.

Kudumbashree Mission bagged the NRLM Award for the Outstanding Performance in Farm Livelihoods. It is for the first time that Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), announced Awards for farm livelihoods under Mahila Kisan Sashakthikaran Pariyojana (MKSP). Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Mines, Government of India will give away the award at the function proposed to be held at New Delhi on 11 September 2018.

Kudumbashree Mission had been actively involved in promoting organic farming, scientific farming techniques based on new technologies, inclusion of women farmers, farming activities focusing on fallow lands, promotion of value addition units and identifying markets, extending support for tribal JLGs etc. The Award is conferred for Kudumbashree Mission for its notable efforts for retrieving the natural Eco system and the activities based on conserving the soil and water bodies.

National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is a poverty alleviation project implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. This scheme is focused on promoting self-employment and organization of rural poor. Mahila Kisan Sashakthikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) a sub component of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) which aims at increasing the visibility of women in agriculture, reducing drudgery and providing a livelihood opportunity by adopting sustainable and eco friendly agriculture. Kudumbashree Mission, the programme implementing agency (PIA) for Kerala, has undertaken the project through the institution of Joint Liability Group (JLG) of women farmers. The project target was kept at promoting 30,000 JLG, with 1,50,000 women farmers undertaking cultivation in 24,000 Ha. MKSP project focuses on capacity building of the farming community through the identification of best practices among the community.

Kudumbashree is the nodal agency of MKSP in Kerala. The National Awards to the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) are intended to provide public recognition to the outstanding performance and incorporate a sense of pride among the poor community members.

Setting an example to the society, the Balasabha children of Kudumbashree contributed to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. The children of the Malarvadi Balasabha of Kodumon Panchayath, Pathanamthitta District handed over the collected amount of Rs 10,000 to Shri. P.B Nooh IAS, District Collector Pathanamthitta.

The Balasabha members of Kannur organised 'Sahaya Hastham' Programme to help the children who are facing troubles in the flood affected areas. The programme was inaugurated by handing over the collected materials to Shri. Mir Mohammed Ali IAS, District Collector, Kannur District. The amount collected by the Bala panchayaths would be given away to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. The Balasabha chidren from Pathanapuram Panchayath of Kollam district collected an amount of Rs.17100, bought relief materials worth Rs 10000 and handed over Rs 7100 to Kollam District Mission.

Balasabha is a collective attempt of children to ensure their participation in the democratic space at the local Government level and in their community. Small Learning Groups for experimental and systematic learning, opportunities for understanding democratic process, participation in conserving environment, enabling children to unfold the intricacies of collectivisation are the basic focal points of Balasabha.

The flood relief activities of Kudumbashree Mission made a mark with the dedicated and focused acts of compassion. Apart from the contribution of Rs 7 crore to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund, Kudumbashree Mission had been actively doing cleaning drives in the flood affected areas. The weekly saving (thrift) of a Kudumbashree neighborhood (NHG) member is nothing more than Rs 10. But when the 43 lakh members of the Kudumbashree Mission decided to come together to donate as much as they could to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, the amount became a whopping Rs 7 crore. All it started when Shri. S. Harikishore, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission made an appeal before the Kudumbashree members to contribute their one week’s savings. Some Kudumbashree groups had even donated the amount they had set aside for the onam celebrations.

Kudumbashree members were active in all cleaning drives at the flood prone areas. Even the non affected districts volunteered in cleaning and distributing food, clothes and water in the flood affected areas.3,87,908 volunteers of Kudumbashree had participated in the cleaning campaign till 3 September 2018. A total of 1,95,318 houses and house premises were cleaned and 10,976 streets and roads, public offices/places were cleaned during the cleaning drive. 38,433 families were rehabilitated in NHG members houses whereas 37, 325 persons received counselling by Kudumbashree community counsellors. Kudumbashree had also been actively involved in collecting and supplying materials for the relief camps set up across the state.