Kaushal Panjee App or Skill Register App aims to be the first step for any rural youth looking for getting skilled or starting a business through Deen Dayal Upadhaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY). Through Kaushal Panjee, rural youth can register free of cost and be connected to training partners and banks working in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development.

The interested youth may register in DDU-GKY programme by logging on to www.kaushalpanjee.nic.in or by downloading the Kaushal Panjee from Google Play store. So far, 20,000 persons from Kerala had made their registration in DDU-GKY programme through Kaushal Panjee App. Through this app/ website, one may choose the course which would suit their aptitude. They may also choose under which Project Implementing Agencies (PIA), they may complete their skill training.

Under DDU-GKY, 45 Project Implementing Agencies are offering 103 different trades in 28 different sectors. So far, 27,000 students received job training out of which 15,000 got job placements. Kudumbashree is the Nodal Agency of DDU-GKY in Kerala. It was planned to give skill training to 51,200 students during 2016-19. Rs 393 crore was sanctioned for meeting the same. Considering the the best performance of Kudumbashree, an additional amount of Rs 198 Crore was sanctioned to give skill training to 20,000 rural youth during 2017-19. Kudumbashree had bagged the National Award for the Best Nodal Agency (2016-17) for the implementation of DDU-GKY programme. Mobilizing the right candidate through Kudumbashree community network resulted in successful implementation of DDU-GKY in the state.

The different trades offered include Pharmacy Assistant, Accountancy with Tally, Food and beverage services, General duty Assistant, Domestic Electrician, plumber, Departmental Manager, Customer Care Executive, Retail / Sales Executive, Banking Sales Representative, Housekeeping Assistant, Front Office cum Receptionist, Animation, Induction Sewing Machine Operator, Travel and tourism Executive, Dental Ceramic Technician / Assistant, Basic Automotive Services, Maintenance Mechanic,Hospitality Assistant, BPO- Voice & Non Voice, Information & Communication Technology, Domestic Data Entry Operator, Continental Cook, Fashion Design Technology & CN Machine Operator. An average monthly salary of Rs 7000 is ensured for the beneficiaries. It is also planned to start giving training on Aerospace- Aviation, Architecture- Civil 2D drafting with Autocad, Artifical intelligence training etc. Special Modules for English, Computer and soft Skills are also included in the programme.

The formation of Vigilant groups, which envisages to defend the crimes and atrocities against women are progressing in all districts. Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kazargode districts had already completed vigilant group formation. 909 & 1321 Vigilant groups were formed in Pathanamthitta and Kottayam respectively. 1753 were formed in Thrissur, 1502 in Kozhikode and 777 vigilant groups were formed in Kazargode district. Its planned to finish the formation in the rest of the districts by next month itself.15,000 ward level vigilant groups have been formed so far.

The aim of the initiative is not only to create safe neighborhoods but also to ensure the freedom of movement of women across the state and protect their rights, thereby creating better domestic and social conditions for them.The ward level vigilant groups will consist of five to ten resident members who would act as the team that would take measures against the atrocities against women. They will help identify victims and also provide them with legal and other assistance.

Monthly awareness programmes will be conducted under the leadership of community councilors. If needed, service of Gender Help Desk will also be provided. Vigilant groups will consist of ADS, CDS members, committee of Anganwadi mothers, Balasabha volunteers, elected members, NGOs, social activists and representatives from cultural arena etc. The support of women at a local level will be significant and it could play a critical role in helping the wheels of justice to turn faster and more efficiently.

India Food Court set up by Kudumbashree NRO at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, Ernakulam as part of Mathrubhumi Festival attracts the food lovers of Kochi. The twelve day long festival being held at an area of 60,000 sqft was inaugurated by Shri. K. Mohammed Y Safirulla, District Collector, Ernakulam on 21 December 2017. He emphasized the importance of such food festivals in sharing and exchanging the cultural heritage. He also added that, it is the right platform for the entrepreneurs to sell their products as well as culinary skills.

Shri. Vinay Fort, Popular Malayalam cine actor who was present at the event, felicitated the women entrepreneurs from different states participating in the event. The India Food Court offers various ethnic specialties from around 13 states across the country. More than 55 women from states like Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Sikkim, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Tripura have participated in the food festival offering local delicacies like litti chokha, raab, momos, pani puri, dal bati churma, goan fish curry etc. Lakshadweep, the tiny island located in the southern most part of the country, is set to offer rich seafood cuisine, whereas Goa expects to treat the locals with a blend of seafood and vegetarian dishes. Apart from this, variety of dishes from different districts of Kerala, including Attappady is also in the offering for providing people with unique gastronomic experience. The dining and shopping bonanza is adding more color to the festive days. The event will come to an end on 2 January 2018.

The state level programme of 'Ganitha Vismayam', the maths olympiad organised by Kudumbashree Mission for Balasabha members to develop mathematics education more easier and to make it more closer to nature and daily life was conducted at Government Girls High School, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram on 29 & 30 December 2017. Shri. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister of Devaswom, Government of Kerala inaugurated the valedictory function and gave away the awards to the winners. Shri. K. Muraleedharan, MLA presided over the function. Shri V.K Madhu, District Panchayath President delivered the keynote address. The state level programme was officially inaugurated by Shri. V.K Prasanth, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Smt. Sobha Koshi, Chairperson, Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights was the chief guest of the inaugural function.

'Ganitha Vismayam' envisaged to strengthen Balasabha and to make mathematics education easier for Balasabha members. Prior to the state level competition, activity based mathematics competitions were organised for LP, UP school children in Panchayath, Block and District levels. 10 students each were selected from Balasabhas in Panchayath, Block and District levels. A training regarding that was given by the 10 member team including Resource person from each district and mathematical experts. Activity based workshops on 'Mathematics in daily life', ' Mathematics in Nature' etc were also conducted in ward level at Balasabhas.

For the effective co-ordination of the competition, a State level training programme was organised for the selected Resource Persons and mathematical experts during last October and the study modules and activities for the competition were also formulated during the training programme. 420 Balasabha members took part in the state level competition.

Kumari Remya Ramesh, Ward Counsellor, Pattom, Smt.S. Nisha, Director, Kudumbashree Mission, Smt.G.S Amrida, Programme Officer, Social Development and Dr.K.R Shaiju, District Mission Co-Ordinator, Thiruvananthapuram also attended the valedictory function. Maths Olympiad was undoubtedly a wonderful opportunity for the Balasabha students to get in tune with the magic of Mathematics.

Financial Literacy Campaign (FLC), the comprehensive programme chalked out by Kudumbashree Mission to provide a platform to NHGs to be aware of and to get benefited from formal banking services becomes a huge success. Through this campaign, 11000 NHGs from across the state also availed bank loan services. Interest subsidy is also given to those NHGs who take advantage of bank loans.

Even though, such favorable situations like interest subsidy were in existence, many NHGs weren't ready to avail bank loans. The Financial Literacy Campaign was conducted after identifying such NHGs. Out of the 2.7 lakh NHGs in the state, 84281 NHGs hadn't availed any bank loans. The Financial Literacy Campaign focused mainly on them and through which 11,000 NHGs availed bank loans.

So far, 1603 Financial Literacy Campaigns were conducted through CDS under the leadership of 14 district missions. It is planned to avail bank linkage to 20000 NHGs by this financial year itself. It was noted that the lack of knowledge about banking procedures, misconceptions regarding interest rates and lack of awareness about banking ombudsmen etc had pulled back the NHGs from availing loans. Resource persons identify the NHGs who haven't availed bank loans so far and gave classes on bank loans, interest concessions, rules and ways to avail bank loans.

Financial literacy programs was also conducted to address Balsabha Children as well for making them fully aware of the importance of saving habits, banking operation and other financial transactions with bank at their tender age itself.

The last date for submitting the application for PMAY loan in urban areas is extended till 31 March 2019. Before it was only till 31 March 2018. As per the new amendments, Ministry of Finance will oversee the Credit  Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) activities. Only those who reside in an urban local body for more than three years and those who don't  have a residential property neither in their name, nor in their family members name can only apply  for this scheme. Kudumbashree is the nodal agency of PMAY in Kerala. As PMAY is executed as part if the Livelihood Inclusion and Financial Empowerment 

(LIFE) programme in Kerala, the beneficiaries of 'LIFE' will get the CLSS benefits.

The carpet area allowed for  Middle Income Group 1 was increased from 90 sqm to 120 sqm and the carpet area allowed for Middle Income Group 2  was increased from 110 sqm to 150 sqm. Out of the 93 urban local bodies in Kerala, 68000 people had applied for Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) till now and loan had been given to 4179 people.

Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and National Housing Bank (NHB) are the central nodal agencies to channelize the subsidy to the lending institutions.

From now onwards, Kudumbashree's 81 coastal volunteers will strengthen the NHG activities at coastal areas. They are appointed in the 81 CDSs of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

Coastal Volunteers will strengthen the NHG activities in the coastal areas. They will oversee the activities, reconstruct inactive NHGs and help the women to find the better livelihood programmes.

A four day training was organised for coastal volunteers during last November.

It is also planned to conduct rallies to introduce Kudumbashree's programmes with the help of 'Rangasree', Kudumbashree's community theater group. There are 12,692 coastal NHGs in the state, with around one lakh women as members.

Agro Hyper Bazar, which will make avail all the farming machinery and value added products under one roof will sell Kudumbashree products from now onwards. Products made by Kudumbashree women from different parts of the district will be for sale at the shop.

The first of its kind was inaugurated by Shri.Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala at Agriculture Complex at Chembukavu, Thrissur. Agro Hyper Bazar had allotted 6 racks for selling out Kudumbashree's products.They will sell curry powders, pickles, jam, squash, syrups, chips, coconut oil, handicrafts, brahmi products saphalam cashews, Kudumbashree organic rice, soap, body wash, hair oil, payasam mix and products from Attappady special programme also is for sale at Agro Hyper Bazar. Kudumbashree products are of high demand at the shop. Association with Agro Hyper Bazar had opened new doors for marketing Kudumbashree's products.

Kudumbashree women marked their presence in healthcare sector by providing their services to the patients of Malabar Cancer Care Centre,Thalassery, Kannur. 44 women who were trained under Healthcare Sector Skill Council joined Malabar Cancer Care Centre. They would deal with the front office management, assist nurses and would act as medical staff, who would take patients for checkup and so.

In addition, Kudumbashree will provide, different services on contract basis at Malabar Cancer Care Centre. 'Human Arm', society of women who received such skill training is also formed there. The Skill training for them was extended under the centrally sponsored programme, National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM). Under this scheme, training is given in 73 different courses.

It is aimed to extend skill training to 15000 financially backward urban youth of 93 urban local bodies through 45 training agencies through NULM. After the training, loan up to Rs 2 lakhs would be given to individuals and loan upto Rs 10 lakhs to the group of young entrepreneurs for getting job placements or finding a job of their own. Training is being given to the beneficiaries based upon their qualifications.The courses are of 3 months to 6 months duration and are certified either by National council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Food and accommodation is provided free of cost to the beneficiaries. If a course is not available in one's locality, he/she may avail free accommodation and training from other training centres. On contacting the NULM unit of the concerned urban local bodies, more details of the programme can be availed.

The 10 day training programme organised by Kudumbashree Mission at Grameena Padana Kendram, Karakulam, Thiruvananthapuram associating with International Labour Organisation (ILO) has changed the outlook of 16 Micro Enterprise Consultants, who came from different places across the state. The master trainers of ILO gave training to the MECs on the topic 'Start and Improve Your Business' (SIYB). International Labour Organisation's certificates were given to those who successfully completed the training. Shri. Issac Singh & Shri. Khaleel Ul Rahman, Master Trainers, ILO led the activity oriented sessions and gave training to the MECs on the topic 'Start and Improve Your Business' (SIYB). 16 selected MECs attended the training from 11-20 December 2017.

Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) is currently the largest global business management training programme, with the focus on starting and improving businesses as a strategy for creating more and better employment for women and men. It supports the sustainable development goals by promoting the business development policies that support decent job creation, entrepreneurship and encourage the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises. It also supports productive employment and decent work for all, including the youth and persons with disabilities.

The association with International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations agency dealing with labour problems, particularly international labour standards, social protection, and work opportunities will enable Kudumbashree Mission to create revolutionary changes in micro enterprise development in Kerala. So far, 31,261 Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise units are working in Kerala altogether. By giving assistance in identifying the most suitable micro enterprises, MECs are extending their full support for the women entrepreneurs. Micro Enterprise Consultants also facilitate training, marketing services and Business counselling as well.

Smt S. Nisha, Director, Kudumbashree Mission, Shri. Ramesh Chandran, General Manager, District Industries Centre, Smt. N.S Niranjana, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, and Smt Akhila Devi, State Assistant Programme Manager also attended the valedictory function.