Kudumbashree shined at the fourth editions of Kerala cultural and trade fair organised by Information and Public Relations Department of Kerala as part of the interstate information and public relations event held at Bengaluru from 14- 20 October 2017. The trade fair was inaugurated by Dr K.T Jaleel, Minister for Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala on 14 October 2017.

Kudumbashree had marked its scintillating presence at the event by hosting the Kerala food court delivering more than 30 unique dishes and 9 Product stalls with 400 plus products made by Kudumbashree women entrepreneurs. The total sales at the commercial stalls were around Rs 3 lakhs and that of the food stalls were around Rs 5.5 lakhs. 7 Micro Enterprise Consultants, 2 entrepreneurs and 30 women members from 9 cafe units participated at the fair.

Nine cafe units from Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kasargod and Kannur rendered all renowned local dishes with all the essence of being at home. A theme stall exhibiting the scale and scope of activities that Kudumbashree Mission had ventured into, to bring collective social change and empowerment was also set up at the fair. It also staged the premium product range of Kudumbashree and the journals to propagate learning about the organisation. The theme stall claimed many acclamation for its neat presentation and as the best kept stall at the event .

The 9 commercial stalls representing 9 participating district missions of Kudumbashree got good responses for bringing products with purity, homeliness and quality and was wholeheartedly welcomed by the Bengaluru Malayalees.

The Mobile Application specially designed for the Destitute Free Kerala Programme survey was launched by Dr K.T Jaleel, Minister for Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on 19 October 2017. " By this survey, all the destitute in Kerala will come under the protection of the Government". Minister said.

The programme aims to be the first state in the country to be destitute free. Government had adopted around one and a half lakh families through Asraya programme. And as 'Destitute Free Kerala' programme becomes a reality, the true beneficiaries will be protected. The beneficiaries of the Asraya programme and the newly identified destitute will be the beneficiaries of The 'Destitute Free Kerala Programme'. The 40 % of the total expenditure will be given to every panchayath as challenge fund. This amount will be used for meeting the basic needs such as food, health and education. The remaining 60 % will be met from the fund of three tier panchayaths. Through Mobile App, pictures of each and every family would be taken ad would geo tag the location they stay.

"The projects of the programme will be specially designed identifying the needs of each and every destitute family" said Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission. The handbook for the survey of 'Destitute Free Kerala' programme was also released at the function.

Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission made a mark by coming up with an innovative Balasabha activity, Lasitham 2017, which offered worshops and performances on 10 Indian art forms. Lasitham 2017, the three day workshop was conducted coordinating with Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY) from 17-19 October 2017. The programme was kick started when Shri C.K. Saseendran, MLA inaugurated the programme.

The programme envisioned to transfer the art forms to the upcoming generation in its indigenous form itself. The aim of Lasitham 2017 was to popularize such art forms among the common people. Only a few schools had been giving classes on such art forms before. Even though the children were interested in learning such art forms, the financial issues had clung them backward. Through Lasitham 2017, the children were offered a golden opportunity to learn their favourite art forms from the maestros itself.

Presentations & performances on Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Mural Painting, Yoga, Nangiyarkoothu and Tholppavakkooth were handled by Deepthi Parol, Deepa Saseendran, Abhaya Lakshmi, Vidya Pradeep, Kalamandalam Vijayan Asan, KR Babu, Thiagi Subhash, Dr. Aparna Nangiar and Rajeev.K respectively. Along with that Manipuri was performed by Basu Sinam and OttanThullal by Kalamandalam Mohanakrishnan.

The space for the workshops were provided by Navodaya Vidyalaya, Vythiri and the venue for the performances and presentations were provided by Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode. District Nirmithi Kendra Wayanad also associated with Kudumbashree Wayand District Mission in bringing up such a novel initiative.

Grama Samridhi Evam Swatchhta Pakhwada programme was conducted in selected 195 panchayaths which were chosen by Ministry of Rural Development for 'Mission Anthyodaya' programme in Kerala with different programmes. The programme envisages to create 5000 poverty free villages by 2019 and 50000 by 2022. As part of this, 'Gram Samridhi Evam Swatchhta Pakhwada' was conducted in 50000 panchayaths in the country from 1-15 October 2017. A two week programme was conducted in Kerala in continuation with the programme.

The programme envisions to review the status of the centrally designed programmes and to give maximum publicity for those. The programme was conducted co ordinating with the concerned grama panchayaths. As part of this, Gramasabhas were conducted in 195 Anthyodhaya Panchayaths.

The programme is framed to communicate the aims, services provided and other details of the centrally designed programmes to the bottom level of the society. The resource persons gave classes for ADS and CDS members and Asha workers on such centrally designed programmes which are executed through Kudumbashree Mission and Shuchithwa Mission.

Survey was being conducted in panchayaths regarding the developments in those programmes by the specially trained Resource Persons. The consolidated data will be recorded and would be submitted to MoRD with the approval of the concerned panchayath committees.

Kudumbashree conducted street plays using the 'Rangashree' art troupe to give promotion to the centrally designed programmes like DDUGKY, MKSP, NRLM and PMAY (G) which are executed through Kudumbashree.

Cleaning campaigns were also conducted in 195 panchayaths co ordinating with Balasabha. The photo video documentation of the whole programme was done by the Resource Persons. The District Mission co ordinated the whole programme in the district level.

From now onwards children of Migrant Labourers will also take part in activities of Balasabha. The first of its kind Balasabha is launched in Binani Puram of Kadungalloor Grama Panchayath of Ernakulam District. Kudumbashree envisages to assist children in their academics as well as in their co -curricular activities, thereby influencing them in their character formation by forming these special Balasabha.

41 children of Migrant Labourers joined this Balasabha. The children are of 5 to 18 years of age. Its a notable feature that by actively participating in such Balasabha, these children will therefore be able to interact with the local children and therby they will learn the local language as well. Its by co ordinating with the teachers and parents of these children that these special balasabhas are functioning. Ernakulam District Mission directly co-ordinate the activities of this Balasabha with the help of special resource persons.

More than thousands of children are studying in the schools at Perumbavoor. Its also planned to start more special balasabhas by including these children. By launching this, Ernakulam District Mission envisions a collective change in these children.

During the 'Disha campaign' which was conducted in January 2017, special NHGs were formed by including women from the families of Migrant Labourers. By including them, Kudumbashree envisions their inclusion in the society.

Kudumbashree is gearing up to launch Aajeevika Express to solve the travelling difficulties in high range country side areas. The programme envisages to facilitate the services of jeep and auto through NHGs. Aajeevika Express would be launched as part of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).The pilot study regarding this would be conducted in Palakkad, Idukki and Thrissur Districts.

Aajeevika Express will not only solve the travelling difficulties of the people but also would help to find a livelihood.

Aajeevika Express, an initiative put forward by NRLM, which would give financial assistance for buying vehicles in high range areas would make revolutionary changes in this sector. As part of the pilot study, the programme will be executed in Parakkod & Ranni blocks of Pathanamthitta, Devikulam block of Idukki and Chalakkudy Block of Thrissur.

Kudumbashree envisions to launch Aajeevika Express where bus service of public or private transportation system aren't available. People out there are therefore forced to depend on parallel services for transportation which financially exploit them.

As per tge programme, Rs 6.5 lakh will be given to the units as interest free loan. The amount will be met from the community investment fund of NRLM. Selected women will be given training in driving. The training regarding the mechanical aspects will also be given to them.

Kudumbashree women had already started jeep service in Attappady of Palakkad and Edakkad Vayal of Ernakulam which was a huge success.

Kudumbashree women of Thrissur District supplied 6000 umbrellas to Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE). Kudumbashree mission had received an order worth Rs 14 lakhs from KSFE for the supply of umbrellas in their branches all over Kerala for distributing to the subscribers of their Onam Chits.

As per the tender called in August, Kudumbashree received the work order for supplying 6000 umbrellas in September. Friends Unit, Nice Unit, Jeeva Unit and Kripa Unit of Nelmanikkara, Velookkara, Vadanapallly and Chattisery respectively were entrusted to make the umbrellas. State Mission had given Rs 2 Lakh as crisis fund to all the units. 19 women from these 4 units completed their job by continuously working for 10 days in early morning to late night schedule. The umbrellas were distributed to the Thodupuzha, kattapana and Ernakulam Centres of KSFE as per the contract.

Eventhough, Kudumbashree Mission had received orders for making umbrellas from other departments, it is for the first time that Kudumbashree is receiving such a huge order.

Kudumbashree women made a flight journey to Delhi for attending the 'National Consultation on Livelihoods Development & Diversification' organised by Ministry of Rural Development at Delhi on 10th and 11th of October 2017.

A 110 member team including 80 NHG women attended the programme organised by MoRD. The programme co-ordinating the activities under National rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) in different states was conducted at National agricultural Science Complex, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Pusa, New Delhi.

All Kudumbashree women were excited about their first flight journey. 72 CDS chairpersons, 8 members of MKSP, 14 block coordinators and concerned officials attended the two day programme representing Kudumbashree Mission.

The indigenous rice seed varieties from Kazargode had been showcased at the exhibition stall depicting the rich agricultural tradition of Kerala. Value added products like Pineapple Jam & squash from Ernakulam District, Saphalam Cashews from Kazargode District were also available for sale at the stall. Kudumbashree envisions to share the features of the MKSP activities and agriculture based Micro enterprises through this.

To improve the representation of women in agricultural sector, to promote the livelihood of women through organic way of cultivation are the aims of the centrally sponsered programme, Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP). Kudumbashree is the nodal agency of MKSP in Kerala.

A Two day  training was organized by National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayathi Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad for State Mission Management units and District Mission Management Units (State and District Programme Managers) of  Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and  finance management at Kudumbashree State Mission office on 10 & 11 October 2017. 'Introduction& How to refer SOP', Due Diligence, Inspection, Placement Verification and Tracking, SOP revised norms and Financial Management were the major contents of the training programme.

Kudumbashree will start 10 buds school for mentally challenged children in association with Lions Club. As per the association, Lions Club will facilitate buildings and basic infrastructure for starting buds school in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha. The first of its kind will be started at Chenganoor in November associating with the Chenganoor Municipality. The officials of the Lions Club 318 B assured that the space for starting the remaining buds schools will be facilitated by December itself.

Lions Club 318 B had already contacted Kudumbashree state Mission showing interest in giving space for starting Buds Schools. The decision regarding this was taken at the meeting presided by Dr K.T Jaleel, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala. Its as part of the 'Project LILLY' (Lions Initiative for Learning and Listening Deficiency ) programme of Lions Club that buds schools are going to be started. The programme envisages to support the needy and to rectify the learning disabilities of these children. Lions Club will also facilitate the services of behavioral therapist, occupational therapist, pediatric psychologist etc for these children. It is also planned to start rehabilitation centres to bring them to normal life by identifying their inherent skills and thereby to help them identify suitable job roles.