The Awards of 'Sargam 2023', the State Level Story Writing Competition organized for Kudumbashree members have been distributed. Ms. Sindhu Thomas, an NHG member who came first in the competition and is a native of Idukki received the Award which consisted of a cash prize of Rs. 15,000, memento and certificate from Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at the closing session of the Kochi National Saras Mela.

Ms. Safwana N, a native of Wayanad won the second prize. She was given the Award which consisted of a cash prize of Rs. 10,000, memento and certificate. Ms. Dhanya Shamjith, a native of Ernakulam who won the third prize was gifted with the Award which consisted of the Cash Prize of Rs. 5000, a memento and a certificate. Ms. Renjini E.P (Kottayam), Ms. Jiji K.V (Palakkad), Ms. Rosha Lijin (Thrissur) and Ms. Sreedevi K Lal (Ernakulam) who received the incentive prize were presented with a cash award of Rs.1500 each, a memento and a certificate.

The official closing ceremony of Kochi National Saras Mela was held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Ground, Ernakulam on 31 December 2023. Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department & Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the function. He said that Kudumbashree is the great movement of women in India. The Saras Mela was extended till 2 January 2024 following the heavy rush.

The Minister presented awards to the best entrepreneurs who participated in the Saras Mela. Media awards and awards to those who participated in the organization of the fair were presented at the event. Adv. M. Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Corporation presided over the function. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree presented the report.

Shri. T.J. Vinod, Shri. P.V. Srinijin, Shri. K.N. Unnikrishnan, MLAs, Ms. Rama Santhosh, Chairperson, Thrippunithura Municipality and Governing Body Member, Kudumbashree, Shri. N.S.K. Umesh IAS, District Collector, Ernakulam, Shri. P. M. Shafeeq, Joint Director, Local Self Government Department, Shri. Sreekanth, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, CDS Chairpersons and others participated. Ms. T. M Rejeena, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree bagged the Best of India World Record by preparing 501 dishes from stews to biryani using millets. Kudumbashree has achieved the record for the World's Largest Display of Cooked Millet Dishes. As part of the International Year of Millets, Kudumbashree successfully made a record attempt in connection with the Kochi National Saras Mela with the aim of bringing the properties of millets, which have many medicinal properties, to the public.

Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission, Kudumbashree Attappady Tribal Special Project, Kudumbashree Tribal and Gender (FNHW - Food, Nutrition, Health and Wash) projects jointly achieved the world record performance. Food was prepared by 80 members from the NHGs where the FNHW programme is being conducted in Attappady. They were guided by the culinary experts of Kudumbashree AIFRHM (Adebha- Athidhi Devo Bhava- Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management).

Ms. T. M Rejeena, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission received the certificate from Shri. Tony Chittettukalathil, Official, Best of India. Shri. B.S Manoj, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree State Mission, Assistant District Mission Coordinators of Ernakulam, Programme Officers and AIFRHM representatives participated in the event.

The world record exhibition was to create awareness among the public about how millets can be used as food on a daily basis, and the exhibition lined up food items such as snacks, sweet treats, salad, biryani, cookies, cold drinks, shakes, breakfast dishes, noodles, sandwiches and burgers made using millets such as ragi, little millet, pearl millet, kodo millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, sorghum.

501 dishes like cutlet, cookies, chocolate ball, fold boli, mysore pak, payasam, kozhukatta, pidi, madura seva, sandwich, chicken thina roll, thina ragi shawarma, noodles, spring roll, etc. were prepared. After the exhibition, the public was also given an opportunity to learn about millet dishes. This is the second time that Kudumbashree has achieved the world record in connection with the Kochi National Saras Mela. Earlier, Kudumbashree had achieved the world talent record with the Mega Stamping Drama.

The State Level Bala Parliament held for Balasabha members under the auspices of Kudumbashree had set a noteworthy representation. Adv. Antony Raju, Former Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala inaugurated the State Level Bala Parliament held at the Old Legislative Assembly Hall, Thiruvananthapuram on 28 December 2023. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree presided over the function. With a very lively question and answer session with the emergency resolution and walkout, the Kudumbashree State Level Bala Parliament became the epitome of a real parliament.  A total of 165 people, including 154 children from various districts and 11 children from Attappady, were part of the Bala Parliament and became the representatives of a total of 4.59 lakh children who are members of 31,612 Bala Sabha units in the state. 

Adv. Antony Raju said in the opening speech that programmes like Bala Parliament will help to give children a clear understanding about legislature, parliament and democracy along with gaining knowledge in the fields of science and technology. He released the magazine, 'Arivoonjal' prepared under the leadership of Kudumbashree Balasabha, by giving to Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree.

The children raised various issues in the Parliament like health, education, environment, hygiene and gender justice. Sooraja K.S from Kasaragod district and Nayana from Kollam district became the President and Prime Minister respectively. Azmin S from Alappuzha district became the Speaker and Sivanandan C.A from Kollam district became Leader of Opposition. Drishya J from Kozhikode district came the Deputy Speaker. Anaya. C (Kozhikode), Rasika Ramesh (Kannur), Athena Ratheesh (Alappuzha), Aryananda Anish (Kannur), Sandeep S. Nair (Malappuram), Nivedya. K (Kozhikode) came as ministers, Abhinav from Attappady became the Chief Marshal and Srinanda from Thrissur district came as ADC. Archana V. Nair of Pathanamthitta district became the Secretary General. Anumithra from Attappady and Tanisha J from Kasaragod district also came as Secretaries. After the Bala Parliament, the children also visited the new assembly building.

Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Rahu,  Balasabha Member from Ernakulam district read out the anti garbage pledge. Shri. Nafih Muhammed, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree offered the felicitation.  Kudumbashree PRO Nafih Muhammad offered greetings. Kudumbashree State Program Manager Arun P. Rajan proposed the vote of thanks. Shri. Arun P Rajan, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

Before the State Level Bala Parliament, District Level Bala Parliaments were also organized. Balasabhas are children's neighborhood groups formed by Kudumbashree to ensure the rights of children. Every year the State Level Bala Parliament is organized as a part of providing opportunities to children to understand the importance and extent of democratic system.

Kudumbashree secured the world record for the Mega Stamping Drama organized by Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission by lining up 504 NHG women. Kudumbashree secured the world talent record for Stamping Drama which has the largest number of female participants. The Stamping Drama was performed at the Durbar Hall, Ernakulam ground at 9:30 AM on 24 December 2023 as part of the promotion of the National Saras Mela being held in Kochi.

The Stamping Drama depicted the history of Kudumbashree for a quarter of a century. NHG members selected from the 14 blocks in the district took part in the Mega Stamping Drama. The performance was held after two weeks of training under the leadership of Shri. Raju Natarajan, stamping drama artist.

Shri. Sathar Aadoor, State President, All Guinness World Records, Dr. Winner Sharif, Ms. Rakshitha Jain, Officials, Talent Record Book were the judges. Shri. Ratheesh Pilikode, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Ms. T.M. Rejeena, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission and other officials attended the function.

Kudumbashree entrepreneurs launched 'Kochi Malhar' after 'Vanasundari' and 'Solai Milan'. Vanasundari and Solai Milan are already the shining stars of the Kudumbashree food fairs. Vanasundari and Solai Milan are delicious chicken dishes prepared with special flavours.

Kudumbashree has now introduced a new signature dish as part of the Kochi National Saras Mela and named it as 'Kochi Malhar'. Kochi Malhar is prepared using birds eye chillies, green chillies, raw mango, brindle berry, curry leaves, shallots, fenugreek powder, coconut milk, tiger prawns, pearl spot fish and white fleshed fish. The cooking is done without using oil. This food prepared by the Nirbhaya Kudumbashree unit is available at the food court of the Saras Fair being held at Ernakulam from 26 December 2023 onwards. Kochi Malhar was introduced by Ms. Asha Sarath, leading film star and dancer at a function held at the Saras Fair on 23 December 2023.

The winners of 'Sargam 2023', the State Level Story Writing Competition for Kudumbashree Women has been announced. Ms. Sindhu Thomas from Muniyara, Idukki had bagged the First Prize (Rs.15,000) for the story-'Sadrishyavakyangal'.  Ms. Swafvana from Wayanad had bagged the Second Prize (Rs.10,000) for the story-'Prakruthi Nirdharanathil Thottu Poyavar Darwine Thedunnu' and  Ms. Dhanya Shamjith from Ernakulam had bagged the Third Prize (Rs. 5,000) for the story-'Madangi'. The Award consist of Cash Prize, Momento and Certificate.  

Ms. Anuja Baiju (Kottayam), Ms. Renjini E.P (Kottayam), Ms. Jiji K.V (Palakkad), Ms. Rosha Lijin (Thrissur) and Ms. Sreedevi K. Lal (Ernakulam) will get the Consolation Prize of Rs. 1500 each along with Momento and Certificate. A total of 763 entries were received in the  'Sargam 2023', the State Level Story Writing Competition organized to identify and nurture the creative skills of  Kudumbashree Women.

The winners were selected by the Jury consisting of Dr. George Onakkoor, Ms. K Rekha and Ms. Sithara S. The First Level Selection was done by the teachers of Malayalam Department of Kerala University in Karyavattom Campus. The award will be distributed to the winners at the closing ceremony organized on 31 December 2023 in connection with the National Saras Mela held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Ernakulam.

Kudumbashree's activities in collaboration with the Saksharatha Mission to ensure complete literacy in the villages of Attappady in Palakkad district are progressing with excellence.1925 students appeared for the equivalency test held on 10 December 2023.  People from 179 villages have appeared for this equivalency test, which is named as 'Mikavutsavam'. Those who are unable to write the exam at this stage are targeted to write the equivalency exam in March 2024.

The activities in Attappady in conjunction with the Attappady Tribal Special Project and Saksharatha Mission implemented by Kudumbashree was started with the preliminary meeting organized on 7 February 2023. Later, Ms. Binumol, President, Palakkad District Panchayat inaugurated the Project Explanation-Survey Training in the same month. Later, in the months of February and March, a literacy survey was conducted under the leadership of Kudumbashree Special Project Animators and Bridge Course teachers, and 4273 people were found to be illiterate. Later, after the codification of the survey, literacy activities were started.

Animators, bridge course teachers and educated Kudumbashree workers from each village were found as voluntary teachers in the village and the illiterate were trained for literacy test. Literacy Mission provided study aids for teachers and Kudumbashree provided study materials for students. Shri. B.S. Manoj, Assistant Project Officer, Kudumbashree, Shri. Jomon K.J, Co-ordinator, Shri, Manoj Sebastian, Co-ordinator, Saksharatha Mission and Ms. Parvathy, Assistant Co-ordinator give leadership to the literacy activities in Attappady.

The National Saras Mela, which showcases Indian diversity was kicked off with a huge turnout at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, Ernakulam on 21 December 2023. Shri. M.B.Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department & Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Saras Fair online. The Minister said that the role of Kudumbashree is crucial in empowering Kerala women's lives socially, economically and politically.  The most important area of Kudumbashree is economic empowerment. Kudumbashree is implementing it through entrepreneurship- skills development. Kudumbashree is involved in economic empowerment in a wide way through 85,000 enterprises, 74,000 Joint Liability Groups and 14,000 groups working in the animal husbandry sector. He added.

Through Kudumbashree, the women community in Kerala has also been able to make entrepreneurship development possible. Saras Mela is lined up with women who have proved their proficiency in the field of entrepreneurship. Saras is the country's premier fair for women entrepreneurs. About 200 entrepreneurs from Kerala have been a part of Saras Mela. Out of the 250 exhibition stalls set up in association with Saras Mela, 90 stalls belong to other states. The minister said that Saras is envisioned as a fair where Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and products are introduced to the consumers and marketing opportunities are created for the entrepreneurs. The main attraction of the Saras Mela is the Indian Food Court. In all the last nine Saras Melas held in Kerala, the food court has attracted people the most. More than 300 cuisines in India are available under one roof. With 120 talented women chefs working in Kudumbashree's catering sector, Saras will serve dishes from within and outside Kerala. The Minister said. Saras comes up with the concept of 'India on a Plate' where all the dishes of India can be enjoyed in one bowl. He added.

Kudumbashree's food court was the main attraction of the Keraleeyam event, which had 30,000 to 40,000 visitors per day. Saras Mela is organized in collaboration with the State Government, local bodies and the National Rural Livelihood Mission. In the last 9 Saras Melas, Rs. 85 crores were received through the sales of 2000 entrepreneurs. The Minister also said that the Saras Mela, which was received in the hearts of the entire Kerala, will be a great success in Ernakulam as well.

Presiding over the function online, Shri. P Rajeev, Minister, Industries Department, Government of Kerala said that Kudumbashree has been able to do great work in women's empowerment for a quarter of a century. The specialty of Saras Mela is that a variety of foods and products from all over India are available under one roof. More than 100 chefs, various art shows, food and various products are prepared for the customers. The Minister said that Saras Mela held in Ernakulam will be more festive.

A total of 250 stalls reflecting Indian cultures are set up at Saras Mela, which brings together the products of the country's rural entrepreneurs under one umbrella. Different stalls of handicrafts and handloom products are awaiting for the people at the fair, which starts from the 'Back to School' campaign model that has changed the face of Kudumbashree itself. Saras Mela showcases the variety of clothing from Indian states like Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Tripura, Telangana and Karnataka in Kochi of Kerala, the heart of fashion. Bamboo tools, sweets, jewellery, bags, handicrafts and other unique products of different states will be on display at the fair.

The display and marketing of different food products will enthrall the customers. The stalls of Kudumbashree's strong initiatives Gender Help Desk- Snehitha and Medical Help Desk- Santhwanam are the pride of the fair. The biggest feature of Saras Mela is that various cultures and unique products of the country come under one roof along with great market opportunities. 

The National Saras Mela started at Kochi is becoming the Festival of Flavors serving the food diversity of India. It serves Dal Bathi Choorma from the royal family of Rajasthan to Momos from Thirunelly. 10 days and nights of Saras Mela at Kochi will be filled with flavors from various states. Different delicacies from various states of India and various districts of Kerala are awaiting the food lovers. Dal Bathi Choorma, a traditional Rajasthani dish that evokes curiosity as the name suggests, and Wayanad's own Thirunelly Momos alias 'TiMo', which is made with Jeerakashala rice have grabbed the attention of the fair on the very first day. The other attractions of the food fair is Maharashtra's Pooran Poly, Arunachal Pradesh's Beef Corn Soup, Attapady's own Vana Sundari, Alappuzha's Karimeen Pollichathu, Lakshadweep's Halwa, various types of Biryani and local delicacies.

More than 40 stalls are prepared to bring a variety of tastes to the customers. There are ten stalls from Uttarakhand, nine from Uttar Pradesh, eight from Karnataka, seven from Sikkim, six from Lakshadweep, five from Telangana, four from Arunachal Pradesh, three from Maharashtra and two from Andhra Pradesh. Unique flavors from Ernakulam, Wayanad, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Thalassery and Attappady are also available at the fair. Many people came to the food fair on the very first day to enjoy the live food tastings. 

Adv. M . Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Corporation inaugurated Saras Mela's Product Stall. The Indian Food Court was inaugurated by Shri. T.J. Vinod, MLA and the Theme Stall was inaugurated by Shri. K. Babu, MLA. Shri. P.V. Sreenijin, MLA inaugurated the Saras tag line prize giving. Shri. K.J. Maxi, MLA inaugurated the Saras logo prize giving and the Art Night was inaugurated by Shri. K Chandran Pillai, Chairman, Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). Shri. Loknath Behra, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, presented the Saras Theme Lyric Prize to the composer Shri. K.V. Anil Kumar. Shri. N.S.K Umesh, District Collector, Ernakulam gave away the photography prizes.

Ms. Nikhila Vimal, Film star  was the Chief Guest of the function. Shri. Ullas Thomas, President, District Panchayath, Ms. K. Meera, Sub Collector, Fort Kochi, Shri. Jafar Malik, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Ms. Rama Santosh, Chairperson, Thrippunithura Municipal Corporation, Ms. K.A. Ansiya, Deputy Mayor, Kochi Corporation, Ms. TM Rejeena, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission, Shri. Basil Paul, Vice President, Kerala Block Panchayat President Association, Shri. P.R. Reneesh, Chairman, Kochi Corporation Development Standing Committee, Ms. Sheeba Lal, Chairperson, Welfare Standing Committee, Shri. V.A. Sreejith, Chairman, Education Standing Committee, Ms. Mary Mini, Ms. Latha Babu, Ms. Nabeesa Latheef, Kudumbashree CDS Chairpersons, Kudumbashree members also attended the function. 

The Saras Mela will come to an end on 1 January 2024.

The launch of the weekly campaign posters as part of the ongoing national wide Nayi Chetna 2.0 , the gender campaign against gender discrimination and gender-based violence was launched by Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree on 14 December 2023. Ms Bindu K.S, Director, Kudumbashree administered the oath.

As part of the campaign, a class on the PoSH Act - Sexual Harassment against Women (Prevention, Prohibition and Redress) in work places - was conducted at the  State Mission Office, Kudumbashree. Also activities like organizing awareness class on gender based violence and women friendly laws for State Mission officials will be implemented. Nayi Chetna 2.0 is progressing with various programmes across the state under the leadership of Kudumbashree.