BUDS School Student bagged Government of Kerala's 'Ujjwala Balyam' Award. Hanna Jahaura from Tirur BUDS School of Malappuram district of Kerala received the award from Shri. V.K. Prasanth MLA during the function held in Thiruvananthapuram on 14 November 2023 in connection with the Children's Day Celebrations. Hanna, who has excelled in the field of arts and sports, is the daughter of Basheer and Maimuna, who lives in Cherimundam House at Koormath, Iringavoor. She is currently preparing to compete in Badminton in the Special Olympics to be organized in Goa in January 2024. Ms. Shaija, her teacher at BUDS School is extending her all the support.

'Auxomeet @ 23' will be organized for Auxiliary Group members and young women between the ages of 18 and 40 on the model of the successful campaign held for NHG members- 'Back to School'. The meet will be held on 23 December 2023 under the leadership of Kudumbashree CDS. Training for state level trainers for this was organized on N at KILA, Thrissur on 14-15 November 2023. The meet aims at renewing and expanding the Auxiliary Groups. The meet aims to develop the skills of Auxiliary Groups to engage in social and cultural activities and enable effective utilization of innovative livelihood opportunities. Also the meet aims to develop Auxiliary Groups as Regional Knowledge Resource Centres.

About three lakh women who are currently members of the Auxiliary Groups will be a part of the meet. The formal inauguration of the training for trainers was done by Dr. Joy Elamon, Director, KILA, Thrissur. Dr. Kavitha A , District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission presided over the function and Shri. Nishad C.C, State Program Manager, Kudumbashree State Mission presented the topic. Shri. Vipin Vilfred, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Shri. Mathew Chacko delivered the vote of thanks.

Along with the officials of Kudumbashree State Mission, Ms. Reji Thomas, District Program Manager, Thrissur, Shri. Santhakumar, Kudumbashree Training Team Member, Auxiliary Group State Resource Persons- Ms. Arya (Kollam), Ms. Gayathri (Thiruvananthapuram), Ms. Arya (Alappuzha), Ms. Jyothi (Ernakulam), Ms. Bismi (Thrissur) and Ms. Oleena (Kozhikode) and Ms. Shyamili (Kasaragod) gave leadership to the training.

'Inno Explosive', an Entrepreneurial Idea Competition is being organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission. Kudumbashree is organizing a rare opportunity to share the entrepreneurial ideas and win the first prize of Rs.5000. This Entrepreneurial Idea Competition is being held for the general public as part of the National Saras Mela proposed to be held in Ernakulam during December 2023. 

Business ideas suitable for the conditions of Kerala and suitable for women entrepreneurs with an investment of less than Rs. 10 lakhs should be given. Ideas from any field are welcome. Along with the idea, the physical and financial details of the venture should also be recorded. The last date for sending the ideas is 30 November 2023. The ideas may be sent to sarasmelaernakulam@gmail.com or to The District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Mission, Civil Station, 2nd Floor, Kakkanad, Ernakulam 682030.

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission is extending its hands of mercy to the helpless and needy in the society through 'Kaithangu', not limited only to NHG members. The scheme was launched in 90 CDSs out of total 111 CDSs in Malappuram district on 1 November 2023, Kerala Piravi Day. Within a week, the scheme will be launched on the remaining CDSs as well. The district level inauguration of 'Kaithangu', a unique project of the District Mission to meet urgent needs and carry out emergency charity work, was performed by Ms. C.P. Naseera, President, District Panchayath during the function held at at Tavanur Panchayat on 16 October 2023. The inauguration was done by giving a laptop to provide training to overcome the visual impairment as part of the treatment of a visually impaired student in the panchayath. 

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission aims to implement the project by initially mobilizing a fund of Rs. 1.11 crores by pooling at least Rs. 1 lakh each from all CDSs. After giving assistance to the needy, it is sufficient to obtain approval in the CDS meeting. Every year Kudumbashree conducts many social interactions, voluntary and charitable activities at the NHG level, ADS level and CDS levels. Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission aims to unify and systematize these activities under the leadership of Kudumbashree CDSs through 'Kaithangu'.

Kudumbashree performed at its best at Keraleeyam, Kerala's Grand Festival, which attracted thousands of people to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city. Kudumbashree entrepreneurs achieved a turnover of Rs. 1,36,69,911 through the Kudumbashree Food Court and Product Exhibition and Marketing stalls organized as part of the Keraleeyam 2023 event at Kanakakunnu, Thiruvananthapuram from 1 to 7 November 2023.

With the theme of 'Malayali Kitchen', the food court set up by Kudumbashree which provided a variety of flavors in all 14 districts of the state, achieved a turnover of Rs. 87.99 lakhs. Whereas from the Marketing Fair, Rs. 48.71 lakhs was achieved. Among the stalls that presented branded dishes, Vanasundari Chicken prepared by Kudumbashree members of Attappady achieved the highest turnover and became a proud achievement. The turnover from this stall is Rs. 15.63 lakhs.

The highest turnover in the food court was on 7 November 2023, the concluding day of Keraleeyam. Rs. 18.56 lakhs was recorded on that day. Meanwhile, 5 November 2023 saw the highest turnover in the product marketing stalls- Rs. 10.08 lakhs. 14 Kudumbashree Canteen Catering Units became part of Kudumbashree Food Court. A unit from Attappady also participated in the Branded Food Fair. There were 50 different stalls set up by entrepreneurs from different parts of the state at the Kudumbashree Marketing Fair. The food court and market stalls run strictly adhering to green protocol.

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission is extending its hands of mercy to the helpless and needy in the society through 'Kaithangu', not limited only to NHG members. The scheme was launched in 90 CDSs out of total 111 CDSs in Malappuram district on 1 November 2023, Kerala Piravi Day. Within a week, the scheme will be launched on the remaining CDSs as well. The district level inauguration of 'Kaithangu', a unique project of the District Mission to meet urgent needs and carry out emergency charity work, was performed by Ms. C.P. Naseera, President, District Panchayath during the function held at at Tavanur Panchayat on 16 October 2023. The inauguration was done by giving a laptop to provide training to overcome the visual impairment as part of the treatment of a visually impaired student in the panchayath. 

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission aims to implement the project by initially mobilizing a fund of Rs. 1.11 crores by pooling at least Rs. 1 lakh each from all CDSs. After giving assistance to the needy, it is sufficient to obtain approval in the CDS meeting. Every year Kudumbashree conducts many social interactions, voluntary and charitable activities at the NHG level, ADS level and CDS levels. Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission aims to unify and systematize these activities under the leadership of Kudumbashree CDSs through 'Kaithangu'.

'Chalanam 2023', a four-day training programme was launched in Thrissur district to strengthen the Kudumbashree organizational system in urban CDSs and to introduce various projects to the office bearers of the Kudumbashree organizational system. 'Chalanam 2023' is a hands-on learning activity that brings together Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons and Sub-Committee Conveners of urban CDSs and trains them to transform urban CDSs and CDS conglomerates into self-sustaining and sustainable models of excellence to fuel future work.

Dr. Kavitha A, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission inaugurated the Thrissur District Level Camp of  'Chalanam 2023' at Vikas Training Centre, Kottapuram, Kodungallur. Shri. Radhakrishnan. K, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission presided over the function. Ms. Salini Devi, Chairperson, Kodungallur CDS 2, Shri. Nirmal, Assistant District Mission Coordinator, Shri. Nishanth, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Ms. Sreedevi Thilakan, Chairperson, Kodungallur CDS 1 also attended the function. The camp will come to an end on 10 November 2023.

Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala visited the Kudumbashree Food Court opened at Kanakakunnu in connection with Keraleeyam 2023 on 7 November 2023. The Kudumbashree Food Court set up at Kanakakunnu offers unique dishes from all 14 districts of Kerala. Also, among the food stalls there are stalls that sell branded dishes, viz., Vanasundari Chicken prepared by Kudumbashree units from Attappady and Mulayari Payasam from Wayanad.

The food items range from different types of dosas, different types of fish and chicken dishes, meat rice, dishes prepared with millets, different types of juices, stews, unnakaya, kaipola, pazham nirachathu, kilikoodu, pathiri etc. Coupons of a fixed amount should be taken and those coupons should be exchanged at the Kudumbashree food stall to purchase food items. The Food Court strictly followed Green Protocol.

Jal Diwali -"Women for Water, Water for Women" Campaign to be held from 7 to 9 November 2023. This programme is organized under the joint auspices of National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) implemented in the state through Kudumbashree and AMRUT Mission. A total of 938 people from 18 ULBs of the state will visit 36 Water Treatment Plants across the state.

The campaign aims to create awareness among the Kudumbashree NHG members in the Urban Local Bodies about the AMRUT Project and the water purification activities of the Water Treatment Plants by arranging visits for the Kudumbashree NHG members to the Water Treatment Plants in the state. These visits will elucidate the vital procedures involved in delivering clean and safe drinking water to households. Additionally, women will gain insight into water quality testing protocols which ensure that citizens get water of the required quality. The overarching goal of the campaign is to instill a sense of ownership and belonging among women towards water infrastructure.

Kudumbashree's Back to School Campaign, the largest training programme for women ever held in the country which aims to bring 4.6 million women to school on holidays, is progressing in full swing across the state making steady growth in the participation of NHG members. More than 20 lakh NHG members attended the campaign. Till date, a total of 20,11,465  NHG members from 1,92,862 NHGs have attended the 'Back to School' Campaign. Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur districts came in first, second and third places with participation of 230133, 228562, 194525 NHG members respectively. Wayanad district with only 27 CDSs has 83.94 % participation. Out of total 1,24,647 NHG members 72,224 participated in the campaign.

The campaign was launched 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. The district wise data as per 5 November 2023 are as follows: (In the order of district, no. of CDS, no. of NHG members, no. of NHG members attended till now)

Thiruvananthapuram-  83-  460169- 217281
Kollam- 74- 348807- 136745 
Pathanamthitta- 58- 150949- 74485 
Alappuzha- 80- 320681- 134791 
Kottayam-  78- 233141- 114169 
Idukki- 55- 154160- 51428
Ernakulam- 102- 373645-193387 
Thrissur- 100- 395509- 194525
Palakkad-  97- 394697- 228562
Malappuram- 111- 509698- 230133
Kozhikode -82- 427743- 144253
Wayanad-  27-124647- 72224
Kannur-  81- 302794- 121079
Kasaragod-  42- 180789- 98404

The aim is to provide training to 46 lakh women in the NHG network by involving the remaining 26 lakh members by 10 December 2023. As a part of this, the activities to get a maximum of four lakh people to participate each day in the next seven holidays have been intensified under the leadership of Kudumbashree State Mission. The 1070 CDS, 19,470 ADS, State District Missions and People's Representatives at Block Panchayat level are active in the campaign activities. Each day's activities and NHG participation progress will be evaluated under the leadership of the Executive Director of Kudumbashree. The campaign has been able to create massive revival at the NHG level. There are as many sights of the elderly and disabled coming to school with school bags, notebooks, umbrellas and lunch packets with the energy of youth.

The campaign was started when Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala performed the State Level Inauguration of the Campaign at K.B. Menon Memorial Higher Secondary School, Thrithala, Palakkad on 1 October 2023. As part of the Campaign being conducted in collaboration with the General 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 the campaign. 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. Notable personalities including ministers and others from social-political-cultural sectors have visited the 'Back to School' Campaign.