Kudumbashree Mission received recognition from Reliance General Insurance. The Certificate of Appreciation was conferred on Kudumbashree Mission for the valuable contribution towards the association with Reliance General Insurance in achieving the highest ever enrollment in the state of Kerala for the Financial year 2018-19. Kudumbashree has been appreciated for the valuable contribution in Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna- Comprehensive Health Insuarance Scheme- Senior Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (RSBY-CHIS-SCHIS). Kudumbashree Mission has mobilised 41 lakhs poor families under this health insurance scheme of Government of Kerala. Shri. T. P. Ramakrishnan, Minister for Labour and Excise, Government of Kerala gave away the award to Smt Jiji. R.S, State Programme Manager, Micro Finance, Kudumbashree Mission, at the programme held at Taj Vivanta,Thiruvananthapuram on 9 August 2018.

The objective of RSBY/CHIS is to protect below poverty line (BPL) households from major health shocks that involve hospitalization. Specifically, BPL families are entitled to more than 700 in-patient procedures with a cost of up to 30,000 rupees per annum for a nominal registration fee of 30 rupees. The Scheme is jointly implemented by departments of Labour & Rehabilitation, Health & Family Welfare, Rural Development, and Local Self Government.The Labour Department is the Nodal department for the implementation of CHIS. A separate agency Comprehensive Health Insurance Agency of Kerala (CHIAK) is created for implementation of the scheme. Reliance General Insurance is the insurance Agency for the financial year 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Kudumbashree played the intermediary role by conducting IEC campaigns, to organize awareness programmes, to invite people to enrollment stations and to initiate the needy beneficiaries to seek treatment benefits from the empanelled hospitals. As far as Kudumbashree is concerned, reaching out to individual beneficiaries and orienting them about the benefits of the schemes and making them to visit the enrollment station for registration/renewal was much of an easier task as they are either NHG members or their kith and kin. Crowd management at the enrollment station was another responsibility which was also performed well by Kudumbashree members. In order to do the door to door campaign, 2 Neighborhood Group Members at the Area Development Society were selected and they were given with slip containing the details of beneficiaries. Kudumbashree members went from door to door and educated the citizen about the eligibility criteria and the benefits of the insurance scheme. A total of 44,000 women are working in this role. The members who are selected to perform the task get from Rs.5 to Rs.6 per enrollment as a token of appreciation. Kudumbashree had mobilized 35 lakhs of families during the financial year 2017-18 and the cheque of Rs.1.86 crore regarding the same was also received at the function.

Comprehensive Health Insurance Agency of Kerala, shortly called CHIAK, is the Nodal Agency constituted mainly for the implementation of the RSBY-CHIS health insurance schemes in Kerala .The two health insurance schemes for the poor are being implemented in Kerala are namely, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY) and Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme(CHIS). RSBY is implemented with the assistance of Government of India for the benefit of families coming under Below Poverty Line (BPL) and CHIS is implemented by State Government for benefiting families not coming under the purview of RSBY.

Grama Kiranam Programme, the exclusive programme of Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission received State Government's Approval. The Engineering Department of the Government College of Engineering, Kannur had already certified the quality of the Grama Kiranam LED bulbs made by Kudumbashree members. It is on its basis that the Grama Kiranam Programme received Government approval. So from now, even the Government institutions may buy the Grama Kiranam bulbs devoid of any quotation formalities. Until then, the Grama Kiranam LED bulbs were being sold in trade fairs and other programmes.

The theory and practical training for making LED bulbs and repairing the street lights were given to around 51 people at Cheruvathoor and Uppala during February- March 2018. They were also given training in business management, communication leadership, accounting etc. The bulbs and the street lights have 1 year warranty. An order of 300 LED bulbs had been received from Valiyaparamba Panchayath as part of the association of the Local Self Government Institutions with the Grama Kiranam units of Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission, and the same had been delivered on time. The teams are also trained in making LED, tube, emergency, panel light etc. The Grama Kiranam unit members were felicitated by the Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission.

The Gurukulam 2017 programme, organised by Kudumbashree Mission associating with Idukki District Administration and Scheduled Tribes Development Department with an aim of enabling the Scheduled Tribes candidates at Marayoor received National Recognition. The Programme received the Award-'Skoch Order of Merit in the Pilot Level' constituted by Skoch Group, a think tank dealing with the socio economic issues with a focus on inclusive growth since 1997.

Gurukulam 2017 was a residential training programme for Scheduled Tribes candidates organised by Kudumbashree Mission associating with Idukki District Administration and Scheduled Tribes Development Department. The training programme was conducted during May- June 2017 at Marayoor, Idukki. It was for the first time in India, that a two month residential programme was organised for a particular category. A total of 150 candidates attended the Gurukulam 2017 Residential training programme out of which 18 candidates qualified for Lower Division Clerk (LDC) Test and 17 candidates qualified in the Last Grade Service (LGS) Test. It was Eduzone Academy that trained the candidates of Gurukulam 2017 training programme. A total of 165 candidates have registered for Gurukulam 2018 training programme.

A two member group under National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) has recently started cut vegetable unit in Kochi Corporation. The unit markets the product labelled as 'Fresh Vegetables'. Cut vegetables for Avial, Sambar, Thoran etc are cleaned, cut and hygienically packed and are being sold. Peeled garlic and small onion are also sold in this manner. The unit also used to sell jack fruit and jack fruit seeds during its season.The cut vegetable unit was inaugurated by Smt. Soumini Jain, Mayor Kochi Municipal Corporation on 9 July 2018. Smt. Jensy Saji and Smt. Omana Johny are the women behind the ' Fresh Vegetables' cut vegetable unit.

The unit is selling their product in LULU Mall Hypermarket and Centre Sqaure Mall at Ernakulam. Half kilogram of cut vegetables cost Rs 50. More than 100 boxes are sold on Saturdays and Sundays and more than 80 boxes are being sold during other working days. The unit also sells cut fruits and grated coconut at Centre Square Mall, Ernakulam. The unit uses garlic peelers, driers, wash tubs and cutting tables for cutting the vegetables. The unit is also intending to start a shop for the purpose.

The Persons With Disabilities (PWD) batch of DDU-GKY pass out from Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi. Dr. K.T Jaleel, Minister, Local Self Government Department gave away the certificates to the candidates who successfully passed out after the completion of the course on 31 July 2018. It was as part of Inclusion of all in DDU-GKY skill training programme that Kudumbashree Mission initiated an exclusive batch giving special focus for the Persons With Disabilities and other weaker sections, with the support of Project Implementing Agency, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi. A total of 28 candidates had passed out out of which 8 have already received job placements. The skill training was conducted at Kripa Centre, Chunangamveli, Aluva.

As larger number of PWDs were of Locomotor Disability, who experienced the inability to execute distinctive activities associated with moving, both personally and objects, from place to place, needed special attention as they were denied the opportunities in jobs. These candidates also need special attention as they don’t have any bread winner or support for the survival of family other than them. It is in the light of this realisation that Kudumbashree initiated a special batch for PWDs and other weaker sections, with a sanctioned strength of 150 PWDs was commenced to provide skill training.

The passed out candidates include Shri. Albin Jose, Shri. Amal Joshy, Smt.Anitha Luka, Shri. Bibin. P.Jose, Shri. Gokul V.J, Shri. Irshad T.M, Ms. Greena Joy, Smt. Jancy Joy, Shri. John P.T, Shri. Jose C.J, Ms. Jyolsna. K.V, Shri. Mahin K.A, Smt. Meera Seghar, Shri. Mohammaed Thalhath, Shri. Najeeb, Smt. Misla Najeeb, Ms. Muneeba P.S, Shri. Noushad, Shri. Rahul Babu, Shri. Riswan. V.A, Smt. Salmath Muhammed, Shri. Samal V.A, Smt. Sini Prasad, Smt. Suhara Beevi, Ms. Sulaikha P.A, Shri. Swalih C.M, Shri. Tomy Vargheese and Ms. Vijitha C.C. They were provided skill training in Book Binder, Front Office Associate and Housekeeping Attendant jobs. Their curriculum included domain, computer skills, english skills, soft skills, internal assessments, counselling, sector skill assessment etc. They were also given a stipend of Rs 125 a day along with the free uniform, bag, book and other learning materials.

After that the mobilization for the programme the first batch for the Orthopedically Handicapped & mild Mentally Challenged was started. The second batch of Front Office Assistant batch had already been started and the second batch of book binding would be started soon.

Kudumbashree Mission's Arogyasena reaches out to the flood prone areas of Kuttanad. It is for preventing the spread of epidemics that Kudumbashree's Arogyasena made the timely intervention at Kuttanad. Training regarding the same had already been given to 50 Kudumbashree members associating with National Health Mission in the first phase and under their leadership training has been extended to 300 more in different phases and are sent for the rehabilitation activities at the relief camp.The Arogyasena has been visiting the various rehabilitation camps and houses and has been giving health awareness classes.

The disaster management volunteering team formed under Kudumbashree Mission includes block coordinators, micro enterprise consultants, gender resource persons, community counselors, Eksath training team, Area Development Societies (ADS) and Community Development Societies (CDS) members in the urban areas. The food, clothes, medicines, drinking water, first aid boxes etc collected by the team had been distributed among the flood prone areas. The disaster management volunteering team is extending the rehabilitation services under the leadership of Smt. Suja Eapen, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission, Shri. V.J Vargheese, Shri. K.B Ajayakumar, Shri. P.Sunil and Shri N. Venupola (Assistant District Mission Coordinators-Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission). Various CDSs in Alappuzha had actively contributed food, clothes, drinking water etc for the people at the flood prone areas. Through Arogyasena Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission has set a unique model of compassion.

In the model of Paravoor urban service team, 4 U, new urban service team was started in Kochi Corporation. Shri. A.B.Sabu, Welfare Standing Committee Chairperson, Kochi Corporation inaugurated the urban service team on 30 July 2018. The teams are set up with the help of the centrally designed programme National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM). A total of 20 persons are identified for the group. The group includes Plumber, Electricians, Painters, drivers, masons, beauticians etc. Public may avail the service through a phone call and the service providers will provide it at their door step.To avail the service the customer may call in the no. 9995608203. By launching urban service team, Kochi Corporation has managed to make their mark.

Suraksha 2018, the State Level Animal Birth Control Awareness Campaign to propagate the ABC programme to the grassroot level was concluded. Adv. K.Raju, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Forest, Dairy Development and Zoos,Government of Kerala inaugurated the valedictory function held at Main Hall, Kanakakkunnu Palace, Thiruvananthapuram on 31 July 2018. A Workshop on the topic 'The Social Relevance of Animal Birth Control Programme' was also organised along-with.The awards for the Photograhy- Logo designing competition was given away at the function.

It is decided to execute the animal birth control activities of 2 lakh dogs in the next 2 years. If rabies is caused through the bite of the stray dogs it would become a more serious issue. Even though the stray dogs attack human beings, the killing of street dogs is banned as per various acts and judgements. It was then the Animal Husbandry Department came up to find a solution for the same. As the programme was not functioning properly, Kudumbashree was entrusted for implementing the Animal Birth Control programme in the state. As Kudumbashree Mission took up the programme, the programme became a success. If more Kudumbashree women would enter into this sector, the issue of stray dogs could be controlled to a greater extent. It is notable that within 11 months after the launch of the programme, Kudumbashree women caught 15,623 dogs and made a income of Rs 3.23 crore.Minister said.

It is through Kudumbashree that the various programmes of the Government of Kerala are brought to the lower strata of the society. As Kudumbashree complete the assigned tasks efficiently within no time, Government of Kerala entrusts the Mission with more assignments. It is because of Kudumbashree's efficiency that Kudumbashree was entrusted with the Animal Birth Control Programme. The Animal Husbandry Department will extend all the support to Kudumbashree for the same. He added.

The Awards for Shri.Sumesh Kodiyath and Shri. Sudharmadas, who came first and second in the Photography competition was given away at the function.The award for Shri. Anantha Krishnan who came first in the logo designing competition, the awards for the children who were the winners in the painting competition, the awards for the best performing districts were also given away at the programme. Minister also distributed the uniforms and Identity cards for the ABC unit members.

Dr. R venugopal, Assistant Director, Animal husbandry, Dr. Kishore Kumar, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Husbandry and Dr. Anand Shankar, Former Veterinary Surgeon, World Veterinary Society attended the workshop conducted in connection with the programme. The unit members who successfully executed the ABC programme shared their success stories before the public. Dr. Nikesh Kiran, Programme Officer, ABC programme, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Shri. V.K Prasanth, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation presided over the function. Dr N.N Sasi, Director, Animal Husbandry Department, District Mission Coordinators, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators and Block Co-ordinators also attended the programme. Dr. L. Ravikumar extended vote of thanks.

A Kudumbashree woman from Kerala received a golden opportunity to converse with the Prime Minister of India. It was Smt. Shiji from Kozhikode district of Kerala who received the golden opportunity to interact with Shri. Narendra Modi, Honorable Prime Minister, Government of India. The meeting with the Prime Minister was held at Jupiter Auditorium, Lucknow on 28 July 2018. She shared her experiences with the Prime Minister in her mother tongue, Malayalam language.Smt. Shiji was the only person who received the invitation for participating in the programme which was organised for the Prime Minister to have a talk with the beneficiaries whose house construction was completed under the first phase of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Shiji told the Prime Minister that building a house was her dream and now she is happy and content that it has become a reality through Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). As Shiji told the Prime Minister that she doesn't know Hindi language, he asked her to continue the same in her mother tongue. 35 PMAY beneficiaries from different states across the country also attended the programme and interacted with the Prime Minister.

A group of five transgenders from Kozhikode District is all set to enter into group farming after this Monsoon season. A Joint Liability Group named 'Punarjani' had been formed under Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission. The transgenders will bring their cultivated crops to the market very soon. It is envisaged to ensure the supply of pure organic vegetables to the public thereby helping the sidelined communities like transgenders earn their livelihood through group farming.They launched the programme by sowing the seeds in a grow bag at Kudumbashree District Mission Kozhikode. The group will do their farming at the 25 cents of land of Mahilamandiram, located at Vellimadukunnu, Kozhikode. Sisily George, Kareena, Aleena, Prayaga and Thasni are the five members of the group. Prayaga is the Secretary and Sisily is the President of the Group.

The loans for buying the seeds and fertilizers would be made availed by Kudumbashree. The Punarjani group members had already received training from Krishi Vigyan Kendra for mushroom cultivation and coconut tree climbing. Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission has framed the programme in connection with the Kudumbashree- Mahila Kisan Sashakthikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) programme. Through Mahila Kisan Sashakthikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) programme of the Government of India aims to improve the status of women in agriculture and bridge the gender gap that still exists in the Indian agrarian world to bring about systemic change in the sector. Kudumbashree Mission had been implementing various programmes for bringing the sidelined communities like transgenders to the forefront of the society and it is for the first time that a Joint Liability Group is formed for helping them enter into group farming.