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.

Kudumbashree set a world record by showcasing the largest Thiruvathirakali Performance. As many as 7,027 members of Kudumbashree performed the traditional Thiruvathirakali in Thrissur to create a world record. Kudumbashree members from across the district participated in the Thiruvathirakkali performed at the Government College Ground, Kuttanellur on 30 August 2023. Kudumbashree secured a spot in the Talent World Records and the Limca Book of World Records for the highest number of participants for a dance performance.

Shri. K. Rajan, Revenue Minister, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Mega Thiruvathirakali Performance which gave the message of unity when more than 7,000 women wearing the traditional Kerala saree stepped to the tunes. The Onam celebrations were organised by the Tourism Department, DTPC, Thrissur, District Administration and the Thrissur Corporation.Shri. Raj Ahmmed Bashir Sayyid, Talent Record Book Observer handed over the Certificate of Record to Dr. A. Kavitha, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission. The certificate of the LIMCA Book of Records will be presented later.

Sales of Rs. 23.09 crores has been recorded through Kudumbashree Onam Markets organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree across the state. This achievement was made through a total of 1087 Onam Markets, including 1070 CDS Level Onam Markets and 17 District Level Onam Markets. Last year the turnover was Rs. 19 crores. An additional turnover of Rs. 4 crores is achieved this time.

Ernakulam district has achieved the highest turnover through Kudumbashree Onam Markets this year. Entrepreneurs of the district earned Rs. 3.25 crores from 104 Onam Markets. Thrissur district came second with a turnover of Rs. 2.63 crores from 103 Onam Markets and Kannur district came third with Rs. 2.55 crores from 81 Onam Markets.

28,401 micro enterprise units and 20,990 women farmer groups under Kudumbashree have paved the way for the market success this time as well by bringing their produce to the market. In this way, Kudumbashree was also able to support the Government's interventions to prevent price hike in the public market and provide products at a fair price.

By organizing 110 Onam Markets, Malappuram district has taken the lead in the number of fairs. Malappuram district also secured the highest number of entrepreneurs with participation of 4854 units from the agricultural micro enterprise sector. Ernakulam district with participation of 4723 units in 104 Onam Markets, Thrissur district with participation of 4550 units in 103 Onam Markets came in second and third place respectively.

Kudumbashree has also been able to establish its presence in the market by realizing the demand for flowers in the Onam market. In order to produce flowers for the Onam celebrations here itself without depending on other states, this year 1870 women farmer groups from across the state have done flower cultivation in 780 acres. Thrissur district came first with 100 groups cultivating in 186.37 acres. In the Kudumbashree Onam Marketing Fairs organized across the state, the flowers grown by the Kudumbashree farmer groups were also marketed. It is hoped that this success will help to spread flower cultivation to more areas in the upcoming years. The success of Kudumbashree Onam Markets lies behind the availability of quality products at fair prices along with excellent organization and efficient coordination.

Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission launched 'Kudumbashree School of Drives' which offer cycling for tourists visiting Athirappally and Vazhachal, major tourist destinations. Through the 'Cycle of Drives' the cycle tourism project, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission is arranging an opportunity for the tourists to enjoy the beauty of the forest by linking these two centres. The project is implemented in convergence with the Athirappally Panchayath.

This project is carried out as part of the Special Scheduled Tribes Project implemented by Kudumbashree with the aim of sustainable development. The project envisages to find a way of livelihood for the Kadar section of the PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) of the panchayath. The 'Cycle of Drives' project also aims at minimizing the environmental pollution caused by the travel of tourist vehicles through the forest and thereby achieve the goal of 'Carbon Neutral Athirappally'.

The bicycle rental facility is available at the District Tourism Promotion Council counter leading to Athirappally Falls. Cycles are available from 9 AM to 5 PM. Public can use the cycle for Rs. 100 for the first one hour and Rs. 30 for the subsequent half hour. Helmets will also be provided for safety.

The project was inaugurated by Shri. Sanish Kumar Joseph, MLA, Chalakudy Constituency on 23 August 2023. Adv. Athira Devarajan, President, Athirappally Gram Panchayath presided over the function. Ms. Saumini Manilal, Panchayath Vice President, Shri. K.K. Rijesh, Chairman, Health Education Standing Committee, Shri. Jayachandran, Ward Member, Dr. A. Kavitha, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, Shri. K. Radhakrishnan, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission and Shri. Vijayakrishnan, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission spoke at the function. Kudumbashree CDS members and officials participated.

Kudumbashree's DDU-GKY CXO Meet was held at Hotel Hycinth, Thiruvananthapuram on 24 August 2023. Ms. Sarada Muraleedharan IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the programme and delivered the Inaugural Address. Smt. Sharmila Mary Joseph IAS, Principal Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala delivered the keynote address. 

Shri. Harikishore IAS, Managing Director, KSIDC and Ms. Anu Krishna, State Head, CII offered their felicitations. Ms. Preethi Menon, Senior Assistant Director, FICCI Kerala State Council, Shri. Sudhakar Reddy, Director, Monitoring & Evaluation, NIRD & PR also addressed the gathering. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. He also made a presentation on the Scope of DDU-GKY & Industry Convergence. The presentation was followed by the Open Forum and Discussion on Industry Demands. Shri. Pradeep Kumar R, Chief Operating Officer- DDUGKY delivered the vote of thanks.

Following the inaugural session, a Panel Discussion was held on th topic- 'Skill Ecosystem in Kerala - Past, Present & Future.
Dr. Usha Titus IAS (Chairperson & Managing Director, ASAP was the Moderator of the Panel Discussion. The Panel Members included Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Shri. Sudhakar Reddy, Director, Monitoring & Evaluation, NIRD & PR, Shri. Unnikrishnan Nair, Head, Maritime Logistics and NSDC, Dr. Jayakumar, CEO, VISL, Shri. Muhammed Riyas, General Manager (Skills), KKEM, Shri. Pradeep. M, General Manager, Lakeshore Hospital.

As part of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of Kudumbashree it has been decided to organize a State Level Mega Job Fair at Thiruvananthapuram during December 2023. Prior to the job fair, the CXO Meet is being organized to address the momentous requirement of the companies and to pool the vacancies across the nation. The CXO Meet serves as a platform for establishing new industry linkages ensuring candidates get suitable employment opportunities at present and in near future.

The CXO Meet will deliberate on the current Industry demands, emerging opportunities and key trends in some of the booming sectors like Healthcare, Logistics, Retail, Construction, BSFI, IT-ITes. Tourism & Hospitality etc. The meet intends to highlight the skilled manpower available under DDU-GKY and the opportunities for empanelment of new PIAs to explore the potential of the scheme. It is expected that the outcome of the CXO Meet would not only enhance the better livelihood options for the rural youth of Kerala but also facilitate the industry to get the quality manpower they are looking for. It also intends to serve as a platform for convergence of key stakeholders from the Government, Private Sector and Industries for brainstorming and exchange of ideas.

DDU-GKY (Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana) is a Central & State sponsored skilling and placement scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development Government of India. In Kerala, Kudumbashree Mission (State Rural Livelihood Mission, under Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala) is the nodal agency for implementing the scheme.

The State Level Inauguration of the Onam Market Fairs of Kudumbashree was held. Shri M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala performed the State Level Inauguration of the fair at Police Training Ground, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram on 22 August 2023. The 1085 Onam Market Fairs conducted by Kudumbashree throughout Kerala are important among the interventions made by the State Government to contain the price hike during Onam.The Minister said.

Kudumbashree's greatest asset and capital is the credibility it has gained among the people through its activities spanning a quarter of a century. These marketing fairs build on that credibility. The minister said that every new step Kerala takes has the stamp of Kudumbashree on it and the sky is the limit for Kudumbashree. The minister also inaugurated the marketing stalls at the Onanilavu-Onam Marketing Fair.

Shri. Antony Raju, Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala presided over the function. Even if Maveli does not come, Onam will be held, but if there is no Kudumbashree, there is no Onam in Kerala, commented Shri. Antony Raju, Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala. He also said that the reason why the Kudumbashree movement, formed in Kerala, has become a model for the world, is the recognition of the selfless service of the NHG members.

Adv. D. Suresh Kumar, President Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayath conducted the first sale at the fair by receiving the same from Ms. Jazeera, JLG Member. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree explained the project.

The Onam Markets organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree are started across the state. The aim of the Onam Markets is to provide pure and unadulterated unique products at fair prices. Kudumbashree's unique products will be available at the fair, from Kudumbashree's own flowers for flower arrangements to fruits and vegetables for preparing the feast. Kudumbashree and local self-government bodies are organizing 1085 fairs across the state with the aim of providing pure and unadulterated products to consumers at fair prices.

The state-level fair, which will be held till 28 August 2023, will have special Onam counters and a food court besides 50 stalls selling products of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and Kudumbashree Joint Liability Groups. The flower market will have flowers grown by Kudumbashree farmers in the countryside in large quantities. Stalls for flowers are specially set up in the state fair. A variety of arts and cultural events will also take place every day.

Ms. Geetha Nazir, Kudumbashree Governing Body Member and District Panchayath Member, Elected Representatives and CDS office bearers were also present at the function. Artistic performances by the children of BUDS School, Pothencode were also staged during the function.

The Kudumbashree Noorang team of Thirunelly of Wayanad district of Kerala won the State Government Award constituted by Department of Agriculture for cultivating a variety of tubers that many people have not even heard of, such as Narakizhang, Noora, Thun Kachil, Sugandha Kachil, Payasa Kachil, Makkaleppotti, Karinthal, Velunthal and Karimanjal.

A group of 10 tribal women has won this year's award given by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala for the Best Heritage Farming Seed and Crop Protection. They received the award for Noorang comprising of a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh, a plaque and a certificate from Shri. Prasad, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Kerala during the function held at Thiruvananthapuram.

In 2021, ten women from three Kudumbashree communities in Irumbupalam hamlet formed an association of farmers called Noorang as part of the Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree in Wayanad. Ms. Saranya Sumesh, Ms. Kamala Vineesh, Ms. Rani Rajan, Ms. Santha Narayanan, Ms. Lakshmi Karunakaran, Ms. Santha Manoharan, Ms. Sarada Ramachandran, Ms. Sunitha Raju, Ms. Sarasu Gopi and Ms. Bindu Raju are the members of the group. Now they are cultivating about 160 tubers in 75 cents of land in Irumbupalam. They market these tubers through various marketing fairs held across the state.

The Onam Markets organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree will begin on 22 August 2023 across the state. The aim of the Onam Markets is to provide pure and unadulterated unique products at fair prices. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister of Local Self-Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala will perform the State Level Inauguration of the Onam Markets during the function proposed to be held at Police Ground, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram on 22 August 2023. Shri. Antony Raju, Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala will preside over the function.  

Onam Markets will be organized in a comprehensive manner in all 1070 CDSs in collaboration with local institutions. Apart from this, preparations for organizing district level fairs have also been completed. Kudumbashree will provide Rs. 1 lakh at district level, Rs. 15,000 at Urban CDS level and Rs. 12,000 at Grama panchayat level for organizing marketing fairs. In addition, the Government has also issued an order to allocate up to Rs. 1 lakh from the local self-government bodies' own funds for Onam market fairs.
   
Various products produced by Kudumbashree micro-entrepreneurs and collective farming groups are marketed at the fairs. Various types of flours, food products and agricultural products will be marketed. Various flowers such as marigold, bandi, jasmine and lotus cultivated by Kudumbashree women farmers groups active in the field of floriculture will add more colour to Kudumbashree fairs this time.

Most of the CDSs are organizing various types of competitions like Athapookkalam, Vadamvali and Thiruvathira in connection with the marketing fair. Various art programmes will also be staged under the leadership of Balasabha members. CDSs in urban areas will also be active in organizing Onam Markets. Full participation of all individual and group entrepreneurs will be ensured in Onan Markets. Preparatory meetings of District Missions, Formation of Organizing Committee and Entrepreneurial Meetings were completed in connection with the effective conduct of Onam Markets.

The State Level Marketing Fair in Thiruvananthapuram will be from 22 to 28 August 2023. Apart from the 50 product marketing stalls, special Onam Marketing Counters will also be set up at the fair in Thycaud. The fair will also feature a food court with a variety of food and arts and cultural events.

BUDS Institutions are one of the best and humane social services among the many alternatives that Kerala has created so that India can emulate them, said Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala while performing the Day Announcement and State-Level Inauguration of BUDS Day at the function held at  Kerala Arts and Craft Village, Vellar, Kovalam on 16 August 2023. He added that 16 August 2023, which is celebrated as the first BUDS Day will be a memorable day in the history of BUDS Institutions run by Kudumbashree in association with Local Self-Government Institutions, a model that can be extended all over India. From this year onwards, 16 August will be observed as a day for Intellectually Challenged Children in the name 'BUDS Day' under the auspices of Kudumbashree.

The Minister also released the logo and tagline of BUDS and also inaugurated the 'Sajjam' Building Resilience Programme, which trains about one lakh Balasabha members to recognize and deal with natural calamities. The logo and tagline for the BUDS Institutions were found through a competition. Shri. Ranjith K.T. (logo) and Shri. Abhiraj R.S. (tagline) were the winners of the competition and the Minister gifted the awards to the winners during the function.

Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Kudumbashree Executive Director, Kudumbashree explained the project. Dr. Sekhar L Kuriakose (Member, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority) released the Sajjam Handbook by giving the same to the Minister.

August 16 is the day when the first BUDS School in the state started functioning in Venganoor Grama Panchayath of Thiruvananthapuram district under the auspices of Kudumbashree in 2004. The Day Announcement and the Week Celebration have been set up with the aim of making BUDS Institutions more popular and raising intellectually challenged children into the mainstream of the society, in the context of the achievements accomplished by Kudumbashree in collaboration with the Local Self Government Institutions in this field within the last nineteen years. The day also aims to integrate more children into BUDS institutions and to provide mental support to parents. Ahead of the announcement of the day, the BUDS Week celebration was ongoing from 9 to16 August 2023. As a part of this, various programmes were organized in all BUDS Institutions across the state.

At present BUDS Institutions are functioning in 359 Local Self-Government Institutions. There are 167 BUDS Schools for children up to 18 years of age and 192 BUDS Rehabilitation Centres for those above 18 years of age. Vocational and livelihood training is given priority in Rehabilitation Centres. 11,642 people are being supported in daily living, rehabilitation and job training through BUDS Institutions. He also said that 495 teachers and 622 caretakers are serving in BUDs Institutions. The main objective of BUDS institutions is to transform intellectually challenged children from dependence to self-reliance.

A special livelihood scheme involving parents of children in BUDS Institutions is also being implemented. Rs. 3.5 crores have been sanctioned by the Government for this purpose. Programmes are designed and implemented to include the mothers of the children studying in BUDS Institutions keeping in mind that they often have to spend time with their children in the institutions. Vocational training is also being provided to the trainees above 18 years of age to ensure a steady income. Various vocational training like paper & pen making, paper file making and umbrella making are provided in this way. Currently 162 enterprises are part of BUDS Institutions.

The products prepared by the children of the BUDS Institutions under Kudumbashree District Mission are being branded under the name 'Ithal' and are brought to the market. Products like notepad, office file, seed pen, cloth bag and paper bag are branded and marketed from 14 BUDS Institutions in the district. All beneficiaries of BUDS Institutions are covered under Niramaya, a comprehensive health and safety scheme. The policy amount of the scheme is fully paid by the state government.

BUDS Institutions also give maximum encouragement to arts and sport activities to support the mental growth of the beneficiaries. BUDS Arts Festivals are organized every year for this purpose. BUDS Arts Festivals are organized at institutional, district and state levels. The curriculum at BUDS Schools includes a wide range of subjects such as music, dance, other arts and sports items and yoga. He also pointed out that Sanjeevani  Agri Therapy activities are also implemented for the physical and mental awakening of children in BUDS Institutions. All BUDS Institutions are conducting agricultural activities aimed at the mental refreshment of the beneficiaries. The State Government has been providing excellent support to BUDS Institutions, including an allocation of Rs. 12.5 lakh each to 200 local bodies for infrastructural development in BUDS Institutions. He also said that 28 master trainers and 608 district-level resource persons have been trained as part of Sajjam- Building Resilience Project, which prepares about one lakh Balasabha members to deal with natural calamities.

Shri. Chetan Kumar Meena, Director, Social Justice Department, Shri, Bhagath Roofus R.S, Member, District Panchayath Division, Ms. Geetha Nazir, Kudumbashree Governing Body Member and District Panchayath Member, Ms. Jaya Nalinappan, Chairperson, Welfare, Athiyannoor Block Panchayat,  Adv. Smitha Sundaresan, Kudumbashree Governing Body Member and Varkala Block Panchayat President,  Ms. Anitha Y.V, Chairperson, Kudumbashree Venganoor CDS, Shri. Roofus Daniel, Former President, Venganoor Grama Panchayath, Ms. Shobana, Former Chairperson, Venganoor CDS,  were also present at the function.

Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Social Development, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Shri. Ashtapalan V.S, Member, Venganoor Grama Panchayath, delivered vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree BUDS Day will be organized from this year onwards to popularize the activities of BUDS Institutions run by Kudumbashree in collaboration with Local Self Government Institutions for intellectually challenged children. 16 August 2004, the day when the state's first BUDS School was officially inaugurated in Venganoor Grama Panchayath of Thiruvananthapuram district, will be celebrated as BUDS Day every year from now onwards. The BUDS Week celebrations ahead of the first BUDS Day celebrations has already been started. Fruit tree planting activities under the name 'Oru Mukulam' were organized in all 359 BUDS institutions in the state, including BUDS schools and BUDS Rehabilitation centers on 9 August 2023.

BUDS Day celebration also aims to integrate more children into BUDS Institutions run for the education and rehabilitation of intellectually challenged children and to provide psychological support to parents. A week-long celebration programme and district-level closing programmes are organized as part of the first BUDS Day celebration in all the BUDS Institutions in the state.

Home visits will be held on 11 August (children and staff of BUDS Institutions visit the homes of children who cannot reach BUDS Institutions due to physical difficulties) and Independence Day celebration and parent teacher meet will be held on 15 August. Opportunity will be provided to showcase children's creativity. The culmination of the week long BUDS institution level celebrations and the BUDS Day celebration will also be organized at the district level on 16 August 2023. Children's art programmes at BUDS Institutions will also be organized on the day.

There are 167 BUDS Schools for children up to 18 years of age and 192 BUDS Rehabilitation Centers for children above 18 years of age. Vocational and livelihood training is given priority in Rehabilitation centres. BUDS Rehabilitation Centres started its operations from 2013 onwards.