Training for Experts was conducted as part of the 'Thirike Schoolil' (Back to School) Campaign organized aiming at the empowerment of 46 lakh NHG members at Forest Department Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur on 15-16 September 2023. Classes were given to 130 experts to extend the training in the districts. Shri. Davis Master, President, District Panchayath inaugurated the training programme by waving the flag. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree addressed the members online. 15 State Core Team members gave leadership to the training.

As a part of the campaign conducted in collaboration with the Education Department, the NHG members are coming to the schools under the respective CDSs during available holidays from 1 October-10 December 2023 to gain knowledge on various subjects. More than 2000 schools in the state have been sanctioned for this.

The campaign activities have been designed in a way reminiscent of the school days. Class time is from 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM. The Assembly is from 9.30 AM to 9.45 AM. Kudumbashree's Mudra Geetham will be sung during the Assembly. Then the inauguration will be done by waving the flag with the Kudumbashree logo and after that the classes will start. The Lesson topics include Organizational Strength Experience Lessons, Vibrancy of NHG is in Mathematics, Community-Life Security Our Happiness, Livelihood-Ideas Projects and Digital Age. Shri. Ratheesh Pilikode, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree State Mission, Dr. V. P. P Mustafa, Dr. M. K Rajasekharan, Shri. Nishad C. C, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Shri. Anish Kumar M.S, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Shri. Vipin V.C, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Shri. Santhakumar, Training Team Member, Shri. Nirmal C.C, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission and Ms. Reji Thomas, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission gave leadership to the training.

Samagra - Special Employment Scheme organized by Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission for Person With Disabilities was launched. Dr. R. Bindu, Minister of Higher Education and Social Justice, Government of Kerala officially inaugurated the scheme during the function held at Govt. Women's Polytechnic College, Kaimanam, Thiruvananthapuram on 15 September 2023.

Samagra is the project implemented by the Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission in collaboration with the Department of Social Justice with the aim of ensuring the participation of the disabled community in the field of knowledge work. The objective of the project is to provide employment through skill training by examining the upliftment of the disabled community and the consideration of employment opportunities.

The services provided by the mission include skill training, career counselling, personality development training, English score test and robotic interview. Job seekers who register on the Digital Workforce Management System (DWMS) website and complete training provided by the Mission are assured employment through special job fairs.

Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission seeks to find those who are interested in academic careers and have an educational qualification of Plus Two or above and provide them with employment opportunities suitable to their aptitude, interest and qualifications. Kudumbashree Mission implements the project at the field level. Employment is ensured for those job seekers who complete the training extended by the mission after registering in Digital Workforce Management System (DWMS).

Knowledge Economy Mission Director Dr. P.S. Sreekala, K - Disc Member Secretary Dr. P.V. Unnikrishnan, Chairperson Disability Welfare Corporation Adv. Jaya Dali MV, KKEM State Program Manager Dr. C. Madhusoodhanan, Principal, Government Women's Polytechnic, Beena. S also participated. A special job fair organized for differently-abled candidates in conjunction with the inauguration saw 98 candidates participate in interviews and 65 shortlisted candidates.

Dr. P.S. Sreekala, Director, Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission, Dr. P.V. Unnikrishnan, Member Secretary. K-DISC, Adv. Jayadaly M.V, Chairperson, The Kerala State Handicapped Persons’ Welfare Corporation, Dr. C Madhusoodhanan, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Knowledge Economy Mission and Ms. Beena S, Principal, Govt. Women's Polytechnic College took part in the programme. 98 candidates attended the interviews and 65 candidates were short listed in the Special Job Mela organized for Persons With Disabilities in connection with the inaugural function.

Under the leadership of Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission, a cooking competition was organized for the differently abled including the beneficiaries of BUDS Institutions at Raiban Auditorium, Alappuzha on 12 September 2023. This is the first time that such a competition is being organized for the differently abled in the state. 13 differently-abled persons and their family members participated in the cooking competition organized in four rounds namely 'Karumure' (various snacks), Chill Time (cool drinks), 'Iratti Madhuram' (Payasam) and 'Health Mukhyam Bigile' (Various Salads).

Ms. Haritha V Kumar, District Collector, Alappuzha inaugurated the competition and also distributed the prizes to the winners. Shri. A.M. Arif, MP, Ms. K.G. Rajeshwari, President, District Panchayath visited the cooking competition in person and tasted various dishes. The officials of Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission gave leadership to the cooking competition.

Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission organized District Level Foot Ball Competition for Balasabha members in the district.  T V Puram won the Foot Ball Tournament. The Tournament was organized to discover the talents of Balasabha Children in Foot Ball. T V Puram defeated the Pala CDS team by two goals to none in the final match held at the Municipal Stadium, Pala on 3 September 2023. Ettumanoor CDS team came third in the tournament. 

The Preliminary Round Competitions were conducted after dividing the 78 CDS in the district into 4 clusters. The top two teams in each of these cluster matches qualified for the District-Level Final Round Tournament. From the District Level Competition including 8 teams, T V Puram, Pala, Ettumanoor and Ramapuram teams reached the Semi-Finals. Ettumanoor won the Losers Final between Ettumanoor and Ramapuram teams who lost in the Semi Finals. Siddharth R Nair of Pala was selected as the Best Player and Aromal of T V Puram was selected as the Best Goalie. Trophies and Medals were presented to the winners. Ms. Josin Bino, Chairperson, Pala Municipality and Shri. A.J Thomas, DYSP, Pala distributed the prizes to the winners.

During the function, Shri. Narasimha Kumar, Regional Head-Kottayam, Union Bank of India performed the Inauguration of Savings Bank Account Campaign for Balasabha Children. Ms. Sreekala Anil Kumar, Chairperson, Pala CDS, Shri. Abhilash Divakar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission, Shri. Prakash B Nair, Shri. Mohammad Harris, Assistant District Mission Coordinators, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission, Shri. Arun P. R, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, other CDS Chairpersons, Kudumbashree Officials, Representatives of Union Bank of India, the Sponsors of the programme, CDS members and Balasabha Resource Persons also attended the programme.

Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission organized District Level Foot Ball Competition for Balasabha members in the district.  T V Puram won the Foot Ball Tournament. The Tournament was organized to discover the talents of Balasabha Children in Foot Ball. T V Puram defeated the Pala CDS team by two goals to none in the final match held at the Municipal Stadium, Pala on 3 September 2023. Ettumanoor CDS team came third in the tournament. 

The Preliminary Round Competitions were conducted after dividing the 78 CDS in the district into 4 clusters. The top two teams in each of these cluster matches qualified for the District-Level Final Round Tournament. From the District Level Competition including 8 teams, T V Puram, Pala, Ettumanoor and Ramapuram teams reached the Semi-Finals. Ettumanoor won the Losers Final between Ettumanoor and Ramapuram teams who lost in the Semi Finals. Siddharth R Nair of Pala was selected as the Best Player and Aromal of T V Puram was selected as the Best Goalie. Trophies and Medals were presented to the winners. Ms. Josin Bino, Chairperson, Pala Municipality and Shri. A.J Thomas, DYSP, Pala distributed the prizes to the winners.

During the function, Shri. Narasimha Kumar, Regional Head-Kottayam, Union Bank of India performed the Inauguration of Savings Bank Account Campaign for Balasabha Children. Ms. Sreekala Anil Kumar, Chairperson, Pala CDS, Shri. Abhilash Divakar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission, Shri. Prakash B Nair, Shri. Mohammad Harris, Assistant District Mission Coordinators, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission, Shri. Arun P. R, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, other CDS Chairpersons, Kudumbashree Officials, Representatives of Union Bank of India, the Sponsors of the programme, CDS members and Balasabha Resource Persons also attended the programme.

Kudumbashree will launch 'Thirike Schoolil' (Back To School) State Level Campaign in convergence with the Department of Education from 1 October 2023 to 10 December 2023. As part of the state-level campaign organized by Kudumbashree, women from NHGs will come back to school as students. One of the main objectives of the campaign is to further strengthen the Kudumbashree three-tier organizational system and enable the NHGs to take up innovative projects in accordance with the new age possibilities. The campaign also aims to strengthen micro-economic livelihood activities in NHGs, create awareness about digital technology and create a vision that will help in uplifting the status of women. 

A total of 46 lakh NHG women will return to the school yard they left years ago with nostalgic memories. The NHGs will participate in schools under each CDS. More than 2000 schools in the state have been sanctioned for the campaign organized during the holidays. The main feature of the campaign is that 46 lakh neighborhood women become learners for knowledge acquisition. 'Back to School' Campaign will be the largest women empowerment campaign organized till date. More than half a crore people including 20,000 Area Development Societies, 1070 CDSs, 15,000 Resource Persons, Kudumbashree Snehitha, members of various training groups and State-District Mission staff will participate in the campaign.

The campaign activities have been designed in a way reminiscing the school days. Class time is from 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM. Assembly is from 9.30 AM to 9.45 PM. Kudumbashree's Mudra Geetham will be sung during the Assembly. Classes will be started after that. Lesson topics include Experience Lessons of united strength, Vibrancy of NHG is in Mathematics, Group Song-Life Security Our Happiness, Livelihood-Ideas & Projects and Digital Age. Each of these are divided into five lessons and the classes are given. Around 15,000 trained Resource Persons will be coming as teachers. There is a fifteen minute break before noon. Lunch time is from 1 PM to 1.45 PM. Everyone will eat together. Also, small art programmes will be held during this time. A bell will ring after each period. The students should bring lunch, drinking water, snacks, school bag, smart phone and earphone. Interested NHGs can also wear uniforms.

Training for State-District Mission Staff and District, Block, CDS Level Resource Persons for the smooth implementation of the campaign is ongoing.

The second phase of 'Thozhilarangathekk' Project, which is being implemented by the Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission in collaboration with Kudumbashree with the aim of providing opportunities for educated women in the field of knowledge-based careers has started. The first phase of the project was successfully completed in March 2023. Kudumbashree will coordinate field level activities of the Thozhilarangathekk 2.0 Project, focusing on 399 LSGIs registered with interest in the second phase of the project. Ms. Veena George, Minister for Health and Woman and Child Development, Government of Kerala inaugurated the second phase at a ceremony held at the Science and Technology Museum, Thiruvananthapuram on 4 September 2023.

Shri. V.K. Prasanth, MLA presided over the function.

Job readiness support will be provided through the Knowledge Economy Mission System to all those registered as part of the scheme via the DWMS (Digital Work Force Management System) of the Knowledge Economy Mission. The services provided by the mission include Skill Training, Career Counselling, Personality Development Training, English Score Test and Robotic Interview.

The beneficiaries of the scheme are female job seekers aged between 18 to 59 years with plus two as their basic qualification. The scheme is implemented by dividing the job seekers into different groups based on their educational qualification and forming Knowledge Job Units. Further activities will be undertaken by activating Knowledge Job Units including those formed in the first phase. Currently, 2,77,850 women job seekers from 14 districts have registered under the scheme. The second phase of the project will be completed before 31 March 2024. Training and job fairs will be organized in all 399 local self-government bodies.

Dr. P.S. Sreekala, Director, Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission, Ms. Bindu V.C, Managing Director, Women Development Corporation, Dr. C. Madhusoodhanan, State Programme Manager, Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission, Dr. Sreejith, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission, Shri. Sabu. B, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree spoke at the function. A panel discussion on 'Women and Knowledge Career Opportunities was also organized in connection with the function.

Kudumbashree is inviting logo and tagline for the Saras Mela, the national level product marketing fair, which is proposed to be held under the leadership of Kudumbashree, at Ernakulam during December 2023. The selected entries will be given prizes.

The logo and tagline of the Saras Mela, should be in harmony with the district's unique cultural identity, artistic presence and regional uniqueness of the district. And it should also represent India's diverse products, food culture and women's community. The prepared logo and tagline can be sent to the e-mail address, sarasmelaernakulam@gmail.com. The last date for submitting the entries is 30 September 2023. For more details, contact - 7034077660,  9747473931.

The Saras Fairs are organized jointly by the Central- State Governments as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), where the products of the rural entrepreneurs across the country is brought together for marketing. In addition to that 'India Food Court' would also be arranged as part of the Fair, where the cuisines from various states would be available.

Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission gifted a memorable onam to a group of Destitute through 'Ottakkalla Onam' Initiative of the District. Onam is celebrated irrespective of caste and creed with a variety of Onam games including swinging, singing and dancing, where everyone gathers enthusiastically and arranges floral carpets and prepares a sumptuous feast. But there are people in our society who have no one to gather and celebrate. Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission has prepared an unforgettable Onam for those who have been isolated without anyone due to various life circumstances through the program 'Ottakkalla Onam'.

Kudumbashree members of Kozhikode Kudumbashree reached out to 247 isolated families and 439 family members during Uthradam, Thiruvonam and Avittam days with Onam Feast and Onam Gifts. Along with them, they laid floral carpets, sang songs and made this Onam one of a kind. No one is alone, no one can be alone; Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission kept these families together with Kudumbashree by literally translating the words that Kudumbashree will not leave them alone and will always be with them. Through this exemplary and exceptional work, Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission set a new model of compassion.

The 'Onashree' Village Fest organized in 9 CDSs of Taliparamba Constituency under the auspices of Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission was a huge hit. The 'Onashree' Product Marketing Fair and Cultural Festival organized in 7 Grama Panchayats and 2 Municipalities of the Constituency from 20 August 2023 was a unique experience.

A turnover of Rs. 1 crore was achieved from the 8 to15 day long village festival. About Rs. 10 lakhs was received from the Food Court. The Village Fest was the brain child of Shri. M.V. Govindan Master, the MLA of the Constituency. Through this Village Fest during Onam, 350 Kudumbashree women entrepreneurs of this place have got a great opportunity for product marketing. Folk Art Forms of the respective regions were also staged as part of the Cultural Festival. The Cultural Festival with the local artists from children to the elderly also gave a unique experience to everyone.