Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission conducted, 'Orukkam', the drama camp of Balasabha students in connection with Thakazhi Sahithyolsavam at Thakazhy Smarakam, Thakazhy, Alappuzha on 17 April 2019. The drama camp was of 8 days duration. During the camp, the Balasabha children were trained by the eminent personalities from the drama industry. 'Vellappokkathil' drama, based on the short story written by Shri.Thakazhi Shivasankara Pillai was performed by the Balasabha students at the camp. Twenty seven Balasabha students became part of the drama. Shri. Pramod Payyanur, Shri. C.J.Kuttappan, eminent drama-movie directors interacted with the Balasabha children.

The Drama Camp was organised by Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission associating with Thakazhy CDS. Thakazhi Sahithyolsavam is organised every year to commemorate Shri.Thakazhi Shivasankara Pillai, the eminent novelist and short story writer of Malayalam literature, who wrote over 30 novels and novellas and over 600 short stories focusing on the lives of the oppressed classes.The drama camp was indeed a new experience for the Balasabha students.

As part of the Gender development programmes of Kudumbashree Idukki District Mission, a new initiative named ‘ Grameena Vijnana Kendram is started at Vattavada with the ownership of Vattavada panchayath. The centre was inaugurated on 9 March 2019. The aim of the project is to start knowledge centres in the rural areas of the district. The uniqueness of the program is that the centre has the facility to conduct live online classes where teachers from any part of the world can take classes and interact with the students in the centre with the help of ‘tele classroom’ facility'.

The project is implemented as a common venture of Kudumbashree Gender Self Learning Programme under the ownership of Vattavada panchayath. Edyonet is the technology and teaching resource provider of the center. They provided the infrastructure, technical support and software for the functioning of the program. Kudumbashree Idukki District Mission, CDS, LSGD, EDYONET – Infopark, Grameen vidhya foundation are the stakeholders of the centre.

A visit to Vattavada by the District Programme Manager who is in charge of Gender and the Snehitha staff noticed that as many issues are prevailing in the area. Vattavada, being a remote village, faces the issues of lack of transport facilities, lack of educational facilities and financial difficulties. Education opens the door to the multiple possibilities/ opportunities across the world. The enquiry on how it would be possible to make services of experts available to different parts of the state resulted in the community education program through tele classroom. Kudumbashree in collaboration with EDYONET IT started a free online PSC coaching as the first step of the program. Around 60 students from Vattavada and 30 students from Devikulam Panchayath gets benefited through this coaching service. Weekly 3 hour online classes are provided to the students. This PSC coaching and spoken English class was started under the Vattavada GRC. Eminent teachers are giving classes through video conference. Now the students can receive classes from eminent faculties from anywhere without spending money for it. As it is live online classes, they can conduct discussions and clear their doubts as well. This technology is useful in multiple ways for the center in future.

The centre aims at organizing various programmes utilizing the possibilities of information technology and reach out diverse education opportunities to the socio economical and geographically marginalised spaces. The class are being conducted from the public teaching facility at Ernakulam. The subject experts will conduct the classes according to the convenience of students via specially arranged tele classroom that includes a projector, camera and speaker system. The students will be able to watch the classes in 50 “ television and interact through the system specifically designed for the purpose. The sessions for the registered students will be made available in the software and the classes will be provided according to the need. The gender resource person of the Kudumbashree Gender resource center in the Vattavada panchayath has the responsibility of co coordinating the program. It will emerge as a revolution in distance education.

Kudumbashree Mission is partnering with DEO's of Kerala to provide various services during Lok Sabha Elections during April 2019. Kudumbashree Mission has been entrusted by the various DEO's in Kerala for various activities such as providing food in training centres, for arranging food for polling officials, printing and data entry works, Harithakarmasena for maintaining green protocol etc. Rangashree, the community theatre group of Kudumbashree Mission had already started working partnering with the office of Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala for conducting the SVEEP (Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation System) activities for Election to Lok Sabha.

The Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation System (SVEEP) was implemented for ensuring that maximum number of voters are using their right to vote. Under this programme, Street plays are conducted by the Rangashree teams of Kudumbashree Mission in selected spots in the districts. The street play stressed on the importance of casting vote, It also reminds that voting right is not only men's right, but also women's as well. It also give awareness on how to add name in the voter's list, how to vote, the identity proofs for casting vote, how to correct the errors in the voting list and how to add name to the voting list online through Akshaya centres. The street plays also educate the public, not to cast vote to someone upon anyone's pressure. Along with the street play, voting machine and VVPAT is also being introduced to the public.

Workshop on Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) for Kudumbashree was held at Hotel Fortune South Park and Kudumbashree State Mission office on 26-27 March 2019. The Emergency Preparedness Plan Workshop was organised associating with 'Save the Children', a global non-profit organisation which was founded in 1919 and is India's leading independent child rights NGO, which run programmes in the remotest corners of India and urban areas to provide quality education and healthcare, protection from harm and abuse and life-saving aid during emergencies to children. 

Concept of hazard, risk, vulnerability and disaster, understanding humanitarian crises and its response frame used, understanding risk monitoring and risk analysis process, different standards (Core Humanitarian Standard, Sphere standards etc.) of emergency response, conceptual framework and understanding of organizational emergency preparedness and conceptualization of a stander planning template of organizational preparedness were discussed  during the 1.5 day's workshop. Assistant District Mission Coordinators, Resource Persons, District Programme Managers from Social Development  team and  the State Mission team actively participated in the programme.

EPP would an integral part of Kudumbashree Mission because of its reach and the capacities with the organisation where women and children can be the first respondents at the time of crisis and also contribute largely to reducing the magnitude and scale of disasters. Kudumbashree Mission and 'Save the Children' NGO had signed an agreement to reach out to 10,000 families from the most marginalized sections, to recover the losses due to the unprecedented floods and landslides across Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Wayanad districts during the Kerala floods in August 2018.

Rangashree teams become part of Street Play Campaign in tribal areas in connection with Lok Sabha Election 2019.The Street Play Campaign was inaugurated by Mr. Teeka Ram Meena IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala at Kuttichal Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram on 17 February 2019. The Street Play-'My Vote My right' is being performed at the selected 29 spots by Rangashree teams as part of the Street Play Campaign.

To uphold the spirit of free and fair elections, Election Commission of India had declared 'Accessible Elections' as their theme.

The Street Play Campaign envisages at making the tribal people aware about the importance of the elections and ensure the full participation of the tribal voters in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019 and make them aware of the VVPAT (Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail) / Voting machine. The street plays are being performed by the Rangashree teams focusing on the places where the tribal reside. The Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation System (SVEEP) was implemented for ensuring that maximum number of voters are using their right to vote. Under this programme, Street plays would be conducted in selected 5 districts viz., Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Palakkad and Wayanad.

The street play stressed on the importance of casting vote, It also reminded that voting right is not only men's right, but also women's as well. The street play also gave awareness on how to add name in the voter's list, how to vote, the identity proofs for casting vote, how to correct the errors in the voting list and how to add name to the voting list online through Ashaya centres.

The street play also educated the public, not to vote upon anyone's pressure. Along with the street play, voting machine and VVPAT was also introduced to the public.

Branded products from Attappady, is for sale at Saras Fair being held at Cheruvathur Ground, Kunnamkulam, Thrissur. The products from Attappady is of high demand among those who visit Saras Fair. The branded products include indigenous products ranging from honey, raagi millet, coffee, cardamom, kunthirikkam, chaama, corn, turmeric, fresh black pepper, cinnamon, cumin seeds, bamboo rice etc. The products are branded in the brand name ' Hill Value' and The price of the branded products from Attappady ranges upto Rs 200. It is for the third time that Attappady team is participating in Saras Mela. Ragi is the product, which is of high demand among the customers.

The Saras fair, which is being conducted by the Kudumbashree Mission in cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State government is a 11 long days stretched exhibition cum sale programme. The objective of the fair is to ensure market for rural entrepreneurs and to provide an opportunity to sell their products without any interference of any second person. Through this fair the rural artisans, craftsmen, and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups (SHG) across India would be able to exhibit and sell their products directly with customers, thereby earning additional income as well as a significant exposure. Saras Mela 2019 is being an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Undoubtedly, Saras Mela 2019 would add more colour to the festive days of Kerala. Saras Mela would come to an end on 7 April 2019.

Balasabha students from Kasaragod district of Kerala had actively participated in the Jalasabha activities. The Balasabha students gathered on the banks of Chemmanad Kadav of Chandragiri river and became part of the cleaning process for conserving the water. It is as part of the 'Jalamaanu Jeevan' (Water is life) programme, that the Balasabha students gathered together to clean the banks of Chandragiri river. The students removed the accumulated plastic and other wastes in the banks of Chandragiri river. Shri. T.T Surendran, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kasargode District Mission gave leadership for the programme. 

Kudumbashree Mission had  joined hands with Harithakerala Mission for launching Jalasabha in neighbourhood groups with an aim of fighting against water scarcity. Awareness classes are organised in all NHGs as part of the Jalasabha programme. As World Water Day was observed on 22 March, special NHG meetings were conducted as part of the Jalasabha programme  in all NHGs in the state during 22 March- 31 March 2019. As part of the programme, discussions and activities were arranged, based on the pamphlets prepared on the topic 'Water is life'. The pamphlets had drawings and text which gave suggestions on how to conserve water during water scarcity.  The pamphlets also gave idea on how to make rain pits and how to do well recharging effectively. A total of 1,43,000 pamphlets have been circulated among  all the Balasabhas in the state. After the analysis and study a detailed report on the cleaning process would be handed over to Kudumbashree Mission and Harithakerala Mission.

Snehitha Calling Bell beneficiaries from Malappuram district of Kerala visited Saras Fair 2019. It is the Snehitha Calling Bell beneficiaries from Marancherry CDS of Malappuram who had made their visit to the Saras Fair being held at Cheruvathur Ground, Kunnamkulam, Thrissur on 29 March 2019. Smt. Ammu Thekkepurakkal, Smt. Beevathu Parayil, Smt. Fathima Kaithakkattil, Smt. Thankam Pananvalappil, Smt. Nafeesa Kalappuraikkal, Smt. Devayani Chennakulath, Smt. Kalyani Pookkayil, Smt. Mani Chappayil and Smt. Thanka Palliparambil were the nine beneficiaries who visited the Saras Fair venue. Visiting Saras Fair was indeed a new experience for them as most of them were leading a lonely life and all the beneficiaries were much excited about the visit. The Snehitha Calling Bell beneficiaries from Marancherry CDS  got an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Smt. Fousia, CDS Chairperson, Marancherry CDS, CDS Accountant, Ward member and five CDS members also accompanied the Snehitha Calling Bell beneficiaries.  

Snehitha calling bell is an innovative programme which aims to ensure protection and security of individuals who are living alone or at isolated places. The programme  was started to focus on senior citizens, as the crime against people who are living alone has increased in some areas. Kudumbashree Mission has started the programme state wide in the financial year 2018-19. Snehitha gender help desk has the responsibility of implementation and monitoring of the program. Snehitha had identified the individuals who are isolated in the society and people who are distressed and no one to look after. The NHG in the area holds the responsibility of taking care of the person. The health volunteer or any member of the NHG will be visiting/contacting them once in a day. This will help to avoid the atrocities and violence against aged and those who are living alone. And also this will help to provide any other support immediately if needed.

The Saras fair, which is being conducted by the Kudumbashree Mission in cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State government is a 11 long days stretched exhibition cum sale programme. The objective of the fair is to ensure market for rural entrepreneurs and to provide an opportunity to sell their products without any interference of any second person.  Through this fair the rural artisans, craftsmen, and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups (SHG) across India would be able to exhibit and sell their products directly with customers, thereby earning additional income as well as a significant exposure. 

The national food and cultural expo, Saras Mela 2019 had touched every field of art and culture as it completed the successful fourth day. The rate of visitors is increasing day by day and they aren’t hesitated to share the happiness of witnessing such a unique fair.  Apart from the commercialism, the fair also paves a cultural trip in all it means. Saras Mela 2019 is being a perfect way to realize the cultures and distinctions of different states in depth. What they prepare in stalls smells their kitchen back home, what they sell here shows their means of income, what they wear and brought is what we can experience only if we were in that place, may it be Gujarat or Uttar Pradesh or where ever. 

Saras Mela 2019 is running successfully holding its  uniqueness without any fade. There are things to learn and things to get entertained. And when the two comes together, it is definitely enhancing the spirit of the fair.  Apart from sale, there are awareness programmes, seminars, cultural nights, celebrity visits and a lot more. On the fourth day of the fair,  on 31 March 2019,  Smt. Sharadakutty, writer and social worker moderated a seminar on 'Female characters in Malayalam novels' which boosted the fair to the next level. Prof. Dr. Abdul Nasar, Faculty, Arts and Science College, Calicut and Prof. Viju Naayarangadi participated in the discussion. Followed by the brain food of the day, Kudumbashree members and Balasabha children from Chaalakkudi and Thalikkulam blocks performed their talents in the cultural night. Artists of Mayookha Kalaakshethra, Chengannur also added colours to the night. The main focus of the night was the concert by play back singer, Smt. Pradeep Somasundharam and Smt. Durgga Viswanath.

The Saras fair, which is being conducted by the Kudumbashree Mission in cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State government is a 11 long days stretched exhibition cum sale programme. The objective of the fair is to ensure market for rural entrepreneurs and to provide an opportunity to sell their products without any interference of any second person.  Through this fair the rural artisans, craftsmen, and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups (SHG) across India would be able to exhibit and sell their products directly with customers, thereby earning additional income as well as a significant exposure.  Saras Mela 2019 would be an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Undoubtedly, Saras Mela 2019 would add more colour to the festive days of Kerala. The mela would come to an end on 7 April 2019.

Saras Fair, the celebration of entrepreneurship has been kick started at Kunnamkulam of Thrissur district of Kerala, when hundreds of CDS Chairpersons of the districts lit the lamps to mark the inauguration of the event on 28 March 2019.
The gathering of entrepreneurs from the fields of art, craft, food and clothing across India marked their presence as the 11 days exhibition cum sale began at Kunnamkulam. Followed by, the entrepreneurs across the India were wholeheartedly welcomed by a ceremonial procession through the town starting from town hall, Kunnamkulam to Cheruvathoor ground. The procession was accompanied by hundreds of performers with live performance of traditional art forms like daff mutt, kuthirakali, folk song, mohiniyaattom, theyyam, shingarimelam, thiruvathira, karakaattam etc.

The fifth edition of the Saras Fair organised by State Kudumbashree Mission was began with a theme feast- ‘India on plate’.  The food items prepared by the representatives of 29 states and 7 union territories were arranged in a single table. All the people gathered were amused by the varieties of cuisine on a single plate like Puran Boli of Maharashtra, Khilanchi of Lakshadweep, Buttari of Punjab, Sarli soup of Jarkhand, Dal Batti and Churma of Rajasthan, Hadi Chaaval of Haryana, Telangana special Dhum Biriyani, varieties of momos and chaumin of Sikkim, Pothrekula of Andhra Pradesh and a lot more were presented. Followed by the official inauguration and theme feast, the big stage of SARAS was opened to cultural programmes performed by Kerala Kalamandalam artists and a mega stage show.

Pink force, a bunch of women volunteers controlled and managed the crowd on the first day of Saras Fair. In addition, 22 selected women are trained and appointed as pink force. These women force would act as security guards with uniform including a cap and whistle. The main objective of the force is to control traffic and to facilitate vehicle parking space allotted at the Cheruvathoor ground. They are on force after the 10 days training conducted by Kunnakulam Muncipality. T0he pink force will be on power in the upcoming days as well. 

The Saras fair, which is being conducted by the Kudumbashree Mission in cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State government is a 11 long days stretched exhibition cum sale programme. The objective of the fair is to ensure market for rural entrepreneurs and to provide an opportunity to sell their products without any interference of any second person.  Through this fair the rural artisans, craftsmen, and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups (SHG) across India would be able to exhibit and sell their products directly with customers, thereby earning additional income as well as a significant exposure.  Saras Mela 2019 would be an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Undoubtedly, Saras Mela 2019 would add more colour to the festive days of Kerala. The mela would come to an end on 7 April 2019.