Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department & Excise Department, Government of Kerala officially declared the closing of 'Back to School' Campaign and launched the K-LIFT'24 (Kudumbashree Livelihood Initiative For Transformation) Livelihood Campaign during the function held at Uday Palace Convention Centre, Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram on 6 February 2024.

The Minister said that K-LIFT'24 will become yet another historical campaign as it was launched during the official closing of the 'Back to School' Campaign itself. The K-LIFT'24 Campaign was officially announced in the Kerala Budget on 5 February 2024 and within 24 hours Kudumbashree was able to launch it. No such programme has ever been launched within such a short span of time. Now, Kudumbashree is going from poverty eradication to increasing income. He added. Kudumbashree is that equipped. Out of the energy received from the 'Back to School' Campaign, Kudumbashree members are going to the K-LIFT'24 Campaign where they are going to make transformations happen. This will become a milestone in the poverty eradication activities of Kudumbashree. He added.

The Minister said that the 'Back to School' Campaign is an unparalleled historical movement. Just like the poets say, Kudumbashree has the legacy of 'golden touch' that everything Kudumbashree touches turns into gold. Kudumbashree gives 'a Kudumbashree touch' to every task they take up. He also said that 'Back to School' was a Campaign that was perfectly planned and executed and it was able to make a great movement in society. 'Back to School' Campaign could make a change starting from within the households itself. 38,70,794 Kudumbashree NHG members out of the 46 lakh NHG members became part of the 'Back to School' Campaign and secured 2 World Records. He added that no one except Kudumbashree can break this world record.

The Minister handed over the certificates of the 2 World Records; India Books of Awards and Asia Books of Awards in the category of Largest Training Campaign Organized by Women in a Single State. He released the Souvenir of the Back to School Campaign and also released the logo and handbook of K-LIFT'24 (Kudumbashree Livelihood Initiative For Transformation) Livelihood Campaign, through which Kudumbashree aims to provide sustainable income to three lakh NHG members. A short video on 'back to School' Campaign was presented during the function.

The Kudumbashree 'Back to School' campaign was launched on 1 October 2023 with the aim of strengthening the three-tier structure of Kudumbashree and for equipping the NHG women to take up novel ventures in tune with the changing times. 38,70,794 NHG members became part of the campaign during the public holidays till 31 December 2023. As a continuation of the 'Back to School' Campaign, 2024 year will be observed as the Kudumbashree Livelihood Year.

Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree presided over the function. Ms. Sarada Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary, Shri. M. G Rajamanickam IAS, Principal Director, Local Self Government Department, Dr. Joy Elamon, Director General, KILA, Ms. Geetha Nazeer, Kudumbashree Governing Body, Shri. Vivek Nair, Asia Book of Records, Ms. Sathi Kumari S, Ward Councilor, Ms. Sindhu Sasi, Chairperson, CDS 1, Ms. Vinitha P. Chairperson, CDS 2, Ms. Shyna A, Chairperson, CDS 3 and Ms. Beena P, Chairperson, CDS 4 were also present at the function.

Ms. Shamna Navas, Chairperson, Tholicode CDS welcomed the gathering and Ms. Arya S Santhi, Jyothi Auxiliary Group, Kanjikuzhi CDS delivered the vote of thanks. The valedictory session started with Kudumbashree Mudra Geetham (Official Anthem) and Cleanliness Pledge. The District Mission Co-ordinators who played a key role in making the 'Back to School' Campaign was felicitated during the function.

During the morning session of the programme, Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree explained the milestones of the 'Back to School' Campaign. The CDS Chairpersons and District Mission Co-ordinators shared their experiences of the 'Back to School' Campaign. Following that, the Organization team made a presentation on the future programmes of Kudumbashree. The function was concluded with the cultural programmes presented by Kudumbashree NHG members and Kudumbashree Mission staff.

Kudumbashree bagged world records for most women singing songs for more than ten hours and most women singing traditional songs continuously. The Kudumbashree women achieved the record in the song festival 'Swaram 2K24' organized on 2 February 2024 in connection with the district level closing ceremony of 'Back to School' Campaign in Palakkad district. Shri. M.B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self-Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala handed over the certificate of both the records to the Palakkad District Kudumbashree team in the concluding session of the programme.

This record achievement was presented to Kudumbashree by 139 teams including Kudumbashree members of 97 CDSs in the district, Auxiliary group members, Balasabha members, SVEP project beneficiaries and Kudumbashree officials. 1433 women sang songs continuously for 11.25 hours in the event organized at Joby's Mall.

Kudumbashree has won the record of 'Largest Women's Marathon Singing' by Talent Record Book and the record of 'Most Woman Continuously Singing Traditional Songs' by Universal Records Forum.

Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self-Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the concluding session. Ms. K. Binumol, President, Palakkad District Panchayath presided over the function. Shri. K.K. Chandradas, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission welcomed the gathering. Shri. Guinness Sathar announced the Award. CDS Chairpersons and other jury members were also present on the occasion. Ms. Sabitha Madhu, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

During the opening ceremony organized in the morning, Ms. Vallikutty Amma, 91-year-old, NHG member of Chittoor Tathamangalam Darshini NHG, the oldest Kudumbashree member of the district, was honored by the District Panchayat President and the District Mission Co-ordinator. Ms. Vaduki Amma, Cinema-Serial Star and tribal artist of Attappady Taikula Sangam sang songs.

'Quizophile 2K24' Mega Quiz Competition was organized for high school students as a part of Kudumbashree Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, under the auspices of Snehitha Gender Help Desk, in connection with the Gender Campaign on at Agali Camp Centre 30 January 2024. Government Vocational Higher Secondary School became the winners of the competition. St. Gregorius English Medium School, Nellipathy came in the second position and St. Peters Convent High School, Kookkampalayam came in the third position. The Mega Quiz Competition was organized with the aim of inculcating gender equality attitude, women empowerment, awareness about Kerala renaissance, law, democracy and constitution among the students.

Students from ten schools of Attappady participated in the competition. Shri. Shahnawaz Khan, Tahsildar, Attappady distributed the prize to the winners. The panchayat committee officials also distributed gifts to the participating schools. Shri. Jomon K.J, Social Development Co-ordinator, Snehitha Team Members of Attappady gave leadership to the competition.

Orientation for the second batch of The Urban Learning Internship Programme (TULIP) as part of the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) implemented in the state through Kudumbashree was organized at the Kerala State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram on 30 January 2024. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the one-day training programme online.

The objective of the internship programme is to evaluate the progress and achievements made in the urban sector of the state through the NULM project and to find innovative ways to further improve the project activities. The interns were selected after screening and interviewing the qualified candidates from the applications received.

24 people of the first batch started working from 10 January 2024. 21 people started working in various municipalities and 3 people in the State Mission office. The duration of Internship in municipal bodies is two months and in State Mission is three months. Those in the second batch will start working in municipalities from 1 February 2024.

Those doing internship in Urban Local Bodies will prepare a report based on the three main topics given by Kudumbashree. It will be submitted to the Central Government.  The three topics include how the NULM Scheme implemented by Kudumbashree benefits the urban poor, business opportunities in manufacturing and service sectors and the evaluation of the urban poverty alleviation plan implemented with the urban local bodies for the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24 and preparation of the urban poverty alleviation plan for 2024-25.  

They will conduct necessary studies on these three subjects and collect statistics. Data collection will be done through discussions with municipal officials, public representatives, project implementation officers and project beneficiaries. The responsibility of the interns at the State Mission is to evaluate and collate the information provided by the interns at the municipal level and prepare a final report. The final report will be submitted with recommendations on areas for improvement, including project implementation and quality. The interns will be given Rs 8000 per month as stipend and a certificate issued by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Shri. Jahamgeer S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree gave leadership to the training programme. Shri. Sudheer K.B, Ms. Meghna S, Shri. Nishanth G.S, Ms. Beena. E and Shri. Prithviraj, State Mission Managers, Kudumbashree participated in the programme.

Kudumbashree has invited Success Stories from NHG members. NHG members get the opportunity to write their own success stories or the success stories of other NHG members through Kudumbashree. The write up should focus on the achievements they attained in life after becoming a part of the Kudumbashree community.

Articles received in this way will be published in the 'Today's Story' section in Kudumbashree's official website. Basic information like district, CDS, NHG should be included. Article and necessary photos can be sent to the mail id- prteamkshreeho1@gmail.com

The Fifth Batch Training of 'Reflecto 24', a two-day training programme for accountants has been started in Thiruvananthapuram on 29 January 2024. A total of 140 people including accountants from Kasaragod and Thrissur districts and half of the CDSs in Pathanamthitta district are participating in the training which will be held on 29-30 January 2024. Ms. K.S. Bindu, Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the training of the fifth batch.

The two-day training consists of sessions to improve CDS's finance management, file management, Kudumbashree organization system and accountant, approach, and microfinance activities. Shri. Nishad C. C, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Ms. Vidya Nair V.S, State Assistant Programme Manager delivered the vote of thanks. Shri. Mathew Chacko, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree and training team members also participated in the function. Training for the 4th batch was organized in Thiruvananthapuram on 25-26 January 2024. A total of 143 accountants from Kozhikode and Palakkad districts participated in the training.

Kudumbashree launched Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant to enjoy premium services and special dishes and unique local dishes prepared by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala performed the State Level Inauguration of the Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurants at Angamaly, Ernakulam on 27 January 2024. Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurants were also started at Guruvayoor of Thrissur district and Meppadi of Wayanad district.  

In his inaugural speech, the Minister said that these premium branded restaurants were started from the thought about making use of the trust and dexterity in cooking, the hallmark of Kudumbashree. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director Kudumbashree did the first sale of the 'Gandhaka Chicken' prepared by a Kudumbashree unit from Thirunelly, Wayanad. The Minister tasted this dish. The Executive Director also executed the first sale at Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant. Gandhaka Chicken is a new addition to Kudumbashree's signature dish list of Vanasundari, Solai Milan and Cochin Malhar.

Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant will operate from 11 AM to 11 PM. Kudumbashree's signature dishes are the main attraction. This Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant extends high quality services in all areas like parking, cleanliness, waste management, parcel service and online services. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree explained the project at the opening ceremony presided over by Shri. Mathew Thomas, Chairman, Angamaly Municipality. 

Ms. Rejeena T.M, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission welcomed the gathering. Ms. Rita Paul, Vice President, Angamaly Municipality,  Ms. Lisy Pauly, Chairperson, Municipal Welfare Standing Committee, Shri. Martin Mundadan, Ward Councilor, Ms. Lily Johnny, Chairperson, Kudumbashree CDS, Ms. Ajitha, Entrepreneur and other people's representatives and Kudumbashree officials were present at the function. Shri. Sreekanth A.S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

Applications are invited for various posts as part of NRLM-Attappady Tribal Special Project implemented by Kudumbashree in Attappady of Palakkad district. Recruitment  to the posts of Co-ordinator (Institution Building and Capacity Building), Co-ordinator (Farm Livelihood) and Finance Manager is on contract basis.  Applications should be submitted online through the website www.cmd.kerala.gov.in. Last date for submitting the application is  5 February 2024. For more details like educational qualification, age, salary, exam fee etc. visit Kudumbashree website www.kudumbashree.org/careers.

'Career Carnival', a district-level job fair was organized under the auspices of the Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission Government Higher Secondary School, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram on 28 January 2024. Leading employers in more than 75 sectors including tourism, hospitality management, finance, telecom, food processing, healthcare and information technology became a part of the fair. The Career Carnival, which is part of the DDU-GKY skill training programme implemented by Kudumbashree in the state, also facilitates spot registration for vocational skills courses.

Days and places of organizing career carnival on block basis in the district are as follows:

3 February 2024 - Greenland Auditorium, Nedumangad
6 February 2024 - TJ Auditorium, Neyyattinkara
9 February 2024 - Priyathama Auditorium, Balaramapuram
17 February 2024 - Dwarka Auditorium, Attingal

For the second year in a row, BUDS Children became the Stars of Kannur's Republic Day Parade. In 2023, there was a band troupe that left everyone in awe at the Republic Day parade held at the police ground in Kannur. The band group of differently-abled children of Mattannur Pazhassi Raja BUDS School. The same band team again came to the Republic Day Parade at the Police Ground on 26 January 2024 and amazed everyone once again with an extraordinary performance.

The band team formed in 2022 has 14 members. Majusha, Pranav, Rajinis, Arshad, Akshay, Saneesh, Fatima, Mubeena, Muhammad Mustaq, Nikhisha, Jithin, Aparna, Renjini and Fathimath Nafiya. They had also gained attention at the opening ceremony of BUDS 'Thillana', the  State-Level Arts Festival in Thillana, organized in Kannur. Those who came to the inauguration were received with the accompaniment of their band.

The teachers of the BUDS Schools and the staff of  Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission are  providing all kinds of support to BUDS children to shine in a field according to their abilities. The Kannur District Administration also deserves a great appreciation for giving these children such an opportunity.