Four day training for Coastal volunteers has been kick started at St Gregorious Renewal Centre, Thiruvananthapuram on 17 November 2017. The training scheduled to be held from 17-20 November 2017 was inaugurated by Shri. S Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission.

The Four day training will include various sessions to improve the work of the coastal volunteers. Lectures will be given on Kudumbashree and its perspectives, Gender and Balasabha, various features and other aspects of Micro Finance and MIS, Micro Enterprises, Marketing, Asraya, Buds and BRC etc.

Activities and audio visual sessions were also arranged to make them interact with one another. To help develop a purpose of life, 'Know Yourself' session was also aranged for the Participants, which would enable them to identify their basic emotions, strengths, weakness, values and attitudes.

The participants will be given an opportunity to face crowd as well.Training will be given to develop necessary presentation skills. Yoga and Creative Thinking sessions are also arranged for their spiritual and Creative growth. Lectures for improving bthe communication skills is also scheduled. Field visits are also arranged.

70 coastal volunteers from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kazargode took part in the training programme. Certificates will be distributed to the coastal volunteers on the successful completion of the training programme.The training will come to ans end on 20 November 2017.

Kudumbashree's Neighborhood Groups in the rural areas are going digital. The procedures regarding the digitalisation of NHGs are progressing in every districts across the state. So far, data entry works of around 1600 NHGs have been completed. By this digitalisation, the scope of Information Technology could be utilised even in the NHG level. Kudumbashree uses the Transaction Based SHG Digital Accounting System (TBSDAS) framed by National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) for this purpose.

By using this software, the financial transactions in NHGs could be made flawless. It will also reduce the work load of the concerned people and the NHG transactions and activities could be made more transparent. It is planned to complete the data entry works of the remaining NHGs by this financial year itself.

National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) has allocated Rs.8.65 Crore for the digitalisation process of Kudumbashree NHGs. For the smooth running of digitalisation, training was given to Resources Persons from all districts.

In the next phase of digitalisation, online based financial transactions will be made accessible to all NHG members, which would enable them to avail or repay their loans even without visiting banks.

On attaining 100% digitalisation, NHG members will be able to observe the activities in one's own NHG using their own smartphones.

Officials from Kudumbashree Mission attended the 13th International Training Programme on 'Entrepreneurship development among rural women' under Feed The Future India Triangular Training (FTF ITT) - International Training Programme held at Uganda. The 10 day training workshop was officially launched by Ms. Rose Mary Sseninde, State Minister for Primary Education at St. Augustine Leadership training Centre, Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda on 14 November 2017. Kudumbashree had been invited as a guest for the International Training Programme scheduled to be held from 13-22 November 2017.

The training programme is a collaborative undertaking involving the Government of India, United States of America and Government of Uganda. The programme is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - India and Government of India (GoI). The training is designed to train Rural Women, Rural Development / Agricultural professionals from Uganda.

Kudumbashree will give training on the topic 'Entrepreneurship development in agriculture sector among rural women'. Presentations will be given on Entrepreneurial Development, different programmes on agriculture, production of value added products, relevance of forming consortiums etc. Kudumbashree's expertise in giving Entrepreneurial Development will help them in extending training.

Kudumbashree had given 15 day training to 26 senior officials of agriculture, irrigation and animal husbandary departments of few african countries during March 2017. The training was conducted under the leadership of National Institute of Agriculture Extension Management, Hyderabad and U.S.Agency for International Development (USAID). It is in continuation with that training Kudumbashree officials were invited to Uganda.

A 26 member team from Liberia, Uganda, Ghana, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Malawi, Kenya and Mosambia had visited Kerala as part of their training organised by National Institute of Agriculture Extension Management, Hyderabad and USAID. Kudumbashree had entrusted Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) for giving training to this team. It's on getting motivated by the training received at Kerala, that Kudumbashree had been invited to Uganda.

Mr. George Muteekanga, Director, St. Augustine Institute Mr. Robinson Nsumba Lyazi, Director Basic & Secondary Education, Government of Uganda, Dr. Ravi Nandi, Project Manager, National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Shri. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director Kudumbashree and Shri Bharath Bhushan, Second Secretary to Indian High Commissioner of Uganda also attended the programme.

Kudumbashree set out to excel in India International Trade Fair, which is scheduled to be held from 14-27 November 2017 at Pragati Maidan with around 22 countries and 3,000 domestic and foreign companies as participants. Organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the nodal trade promotion agency of the Government of India, the premier event was inaugurated by Shri. Ram Nath Kovind, Hon'ble President of India on 14 November 2017.

Kudumbashree will make maximum out of this opportunity. The Kerala Pavalion set up at IITF 2017 was inaugurated by Smt. J. Mercykutty Amma, Minister for Fisheries, Government of Kerala. 10 product stalls were set up at Saras India International Trade Fair.14 Entrepreneurs from all districts across Kerala made their representation at IITF. One Product Stall was set up at Kerala Pavilion, which displays and sells the Best Kudumbashree products from all districts across Kerala.

In line with the theme start up India, Kudumbashree presented the social start ups that Kudumbashree women have ventured into to cater the social needs and to address the social issues.These social startups address the social issues in an entrepreneurial way and are completely managed and run by women. It have high scalability and employment generation. As per the definition of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, any business model which has high potential of employment generation and scalability could be regarded as start ups. Kudumbashree Mission presented 4 women managed social start ups that address the severe social issues faced by Kerala society like Animal birth Control enterprises, Sujalam dig Well recharging, She Lodges and Kudumbashree Geriatric Care. Theme Stalls depicting these was also set up along with Start UP Village Entrepreneurship Programme. 2 counters of Cafe Kudumbashree was opened at IITF by 3 Units from Kottayam, Malappuram and Ernakulam at Kudumbashree Food Court.

IITF is a major tourist attraction and lakhs of people visit the fair every year. This annual event provides a common platform for the manufacturers, traders, exporters and importers. The fair displays comprises a wide range of products and services including automobiles, coir products, jute, textiles, garments, household appliances, kitchen appliances, processed food, beverages, confectionery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics, bodycare & health care products, telecommunication, power sector, electronic sector, furniture, home furnishings, sporting goods, toys, and engineering goods.

Ever since its inception in 1980, IITF has been evolved as a major event for the business community. The event is held between 14–27 November every year at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India. "Start-up Standup", is the theme of 37th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2017.The partner country for the fair in 2017 is Vietnam, and the focus country is Kyrgyzstan. IITF will come to an end on 27 November 2017.

38 Tribal youth in Attappady get Job placement through Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY). The programme made its interventions in Attappady Tribal areas from 29 May 2017 onwards. The project aims at the social and economic uplift of them.

70 people had joined in 2 trades like Assistant plumber and Domestic Electrician. 64 out of them had completed skill training. 26 out of them completed their training in plumbing and 12 of them in Electrician trade. Training was also given on soft skills, English and computer skills etc. The classes were completed in 104 working days. The courses are accredited by National Council for Vocational Training.

As per the Standard Operating Procedure of DDU-GKY programme, 832 hours of training was given in electrician trade and 695 hours of training in Plumbing Trade. The training of the second batch of students was also started. The training was being was conducted at Kerala Institute of Local Administration at Agaly, Attappady.

Kudumbashree envisages to give training to 52000 rural youth from 2016 to 2019 through DDU-GKY. Training had been given training in 55 job sectors through DDU-GKY. So far, 20,493 people had received job training and 14,458 had got job placements. It is for the first time that Kudumbashree is giving skill training in tribal areas.

Kudumbashree Women made scintillating performance by sharing their incomparable yet inspiring success stories at a programme organised by Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE) associating with Kudumbashree Mission and Industry Training Department at Mascot Hotel Thiruvananthapuram on 9 November 2017.

4 Kudumbashree Women who had 'harvested' success by starting Micro Enterprise units shared their experiences during the programme. Smt J. Sandhya of K.M food products, Attingal, Smt M.V Bhageerathi of Ammu Food products, Palakkad , Smt. Bindu Aji of Animal birth Control unit, Pathanamthitta and Smt Sindhu Balan of Kudumbashree Matrimony, Thrissur shared their experiences of overcoming the hurdles they faced while attempting an innovative initiative and how they became successful entrepreneurs today. These 4 women had became the centre of attraction of the programme.

The programme was conducted in connection with the National Entrepreneurship Day Celebrations and was inaugurated by Shri T.P Ramakrishnan, Minister for Labour, Government of Kerala, Shri. Tom Jose IAS, Additional Chief Secrtary, Labour and Skills, Government of Kerala, Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission, Dr. Sreeram Venkitaraman IAS, Director, Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence, Shri M.A George Francis, Joint Director, Employment Department, Shri P.K Madhavan, Additional Director, Industry Training Department also attended the programme. Praveen Parameswar,CEO, Thoughts Academy, emerging Organization Development Strategist was the moderator of the programme.

The Juice centre put up by transgenders at 'Kozhikkodan Ruchikkoot' Cafe Kudumbashree food fest held at Kozhikode beach from 3-12 November 2017 attracts many. Kudumbashree had formed special NHGs for finding livelihoods for them.Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission had given them training on ethnic juice making with the help of Kudumbashree training institution. Satheesh alias Monisha, Jacky alias Jasmine, Shamsu alias Shamna are the micro entrepreneurs behind the juice stall. The honey berry juice, green berry, carrot berry, beet berry, musambi, orange and pineapple juices prepared by them are of high demand at the food fest.The food lovers of Kozhikode is giving a warm welcome and good support to them. Kudumbashree Mission is feeling content in helping them to find a space of their own in the society. By helping them finding livelihoods of their own Kudumbashree envisions the upliftment of transgenders in the society.

Kudumbashree Chicken, the broiler chicken nurturing programme initiated by Kudumbashree Mission in association with Government of Kerala, Animal Husbandry Department & KEPCO was launched by Dr T.M Thomas Issac, Minister of Finance, Government of Kerala at Kanakakunnu Palace, Thiruvananthapuram on 8 November 2017. " It's the continuation of the timely intervention of Kudumbashree Mission in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Sector" Minister said.

"Kudumbashree Mission had always ensured the participation of women from all sectors of the society and had played a major role in the social upliftment of the women who were sidelined in the society." He added.

Through this programme Kudumbashree envisions the self sufficiency of the state by producing milk, eggs and meat of our own. It is planned to start 5000 Kudumbashree units that could nurture broiler chicken.1000 units will be started very soon and about 274 units are already prepared to launch.

The launch of the convergence programme of Kudumbashree and Animal Husbandry Department and the distribution of the revolving fund was inaugurated by Adv.K Raju, Minister of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Government of Kerala.

The logo of ' Bhakshya Suraksha Bhavanam' programme was launched by Dr K.T Jaleel, Minister of Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala. The programme envisages to cultivate the vegetables of one's own through Kudumbashree and NHGs. Seeds and training will be given to the common women who will become part of the programme. So far, 6 lakh families had received seeds and training for the same.

Shri.K.Muraleedharan MLA presided over the function. Shri.S.Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission welcomed the gathering and Dr Vinod John, Managing Director, KEPCO extended vote of thanks. Shri N.N Sasi, Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Adv. V.K.Prasanth, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Shri. V.K.Madhu, District Panchayath President, Shri.Anil.X, Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, Ms.J. Chinchurani, Chairperson, KEPCO, Shri.Rajan, Ward Counsellor, Palayam, Shri.K.K Jayaraj, Additional Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, Shri S. Rajendran, District Animal Welfare Officer and Dr.K Shaiju, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thituvananthapuram District Mission also attended the function.

Cafe Kudumbashree stalls set up at Greenfield Stadium during T20 Cricket Match on 7 November 2017 won hearts. 40 counters were opened by Kudumbashree women at the venue under the leadership of 25 units from Trivandrum and other districts. 16 units were from Trivandrum and the rest from the districts like Kannur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha and kottayam. Cuisines from Travancore, Kochi and Malabar were served.The cafe Kudumbashree units offered snacks, fresh juice and steamed snacks. The food was cooked under the leadership of 150 women at the central kitchens set up at Sreekaryam and Kazhakoottam. The cuisines offered at the stalls were of high demand and it added more energy to the Cricket lovers.

The activities of Kudumbashree School, which works aiming at the personality development and social, cultural, educational empowerment of women is progressing in all districts.

Kudumbashree School, the informal education programme which is executed coordinating with the NHGs envisages to improve the intellectual quality of common women. For this, information on different arena are given to them. Kudumbashree school enables the women to be aware of the need of social commitment and equip them to be part of the campaigns against alcohol and drugs.

Retired school teachers, experts from social, cultural and different other sectors are giving training to Kudumbashree women. In addition to this, 6 Resource persons are selected from every ward. That is, 1.19 lakh ward level teachers from 19854 wards had become part of this programme. Two hour training is being given to NHG women for a tenure of 6 weeks. Those who complete 12 hours of Kudumbashree School training will be given certificates.

Kudumbashree School will make the women aware of the different programmes executed by Kudumbashree in the state. Kudumbashree Mission not only aims at the social, financial and cultural empowerment but also at the intellectual empowerment as well. The programme also aims at retrieving the indigenous agricultural culture of Kerala.

Kudumbashree School was officially launched by Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala at Penpol Ground, Vilappil Panchayath on 21 October 2017.