The Third Phase of Polima Puthukkad of  Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission has been started. The aim of the programme is producing non-toxic and safe vegetables. Implemented through effective integration of local bodies, Kudumbashree, Department of Agriculture, Co-operative Institutions and employment guarantee scheme, the project was initiated to implement the idea of the State Government to formulate and implement plans to achieve self-sufficiency in the field of food production. Those who are part of the scheme are provided with the assistance as part of the Agri Nutri Garden Scheme of Kudumbashree.

In the second phase of the project, 120 tonnes of vegetables were harvested on 29 hectares of land by 40,000 Kudumbashree women who are members of 2411 NHGs in eight panchayats of Puthukkad Constituency. Shri. K.K.Ramachandran, Puthukkad MLA inaugurated the third phase of the project at Kodakara Block Hall, Thrissur on 27 June 2023. He also distributed awards to the best performing NHGs who had done best in agriculture in the second phase.

The CDS Level NHGs include Nanma NHG (Mattathur Panchayath), Anashwara NHG (Vallachira), Devashree NHG (Alagappa Nagar), Aishwarya Lakshmi NHG (Puthukkad), Pratibha NHG (Nenmanikkara), Sauhrudha NHG (Varantharapilly), Friends Koottayma NHG (Thrikoor), Karunashree NHG (Parappukkara).

Shri. M.R. Ranjith, President, Kodakara Block Panchayath presided over the function. Shri. M.K. Radhakrishnan Master, President, Cherpu Block Panchayath, Shri. E.K. Anoop, Ms. Ajitha Sudhakaran, Shri. Simon Nampadan, Grama Panchayath Presidents, Dr. Kavitha. A, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, Shri. P.R. Ajay Ghosh, Block Development Officer, Ms. Ambili Hari, CDS Chairperson, Puthukkad Panchayath Kudumbashree CDS delivered their felicitations. Shri. Unnikrishnan, Agriculture Officer, Mattathur took a class on scientific vegetable farming.

Training for Balasabha Members as part of 'Sajjam'- Building Resilience Programme has started on 15 July 2023. The programme envisages preparing the new generation to face natural calamities. 608 District Level Resource Persons in 14 districts were trained by 28 trained Master Trainers and representatives of the State Disaster Management Authority on 30 June 2023 and 1 July 2023. Through these 608 Resource Persons around 1 lakh children aged between 13 and 17 years of age across the state will be trained in disaster preparedness.

Along with providing awareness on the issues of nature, environment, disaster impact mitigation, rights and responsibilities, children will be given an opportunity to learn about various natural disasters like floods, landslides, droughts, landslides, sea storms and understand the current disaster management systems. The training is through various activities where the children can understand for themselves, including how climate change affects their lives. Through them awareness will be given to other children as well as adults.

A Two- Day National Workshop on PRI-CBO (Panchayati Raj Institutions-Community Based Organisations) Convergence Universalisation Programme was held at Uday Samudra Beach Hotel, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram on 13-14 July 2023. Shri. Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) delivered the Keynote Address via Video Conference on 13 July 2023. He spelled out the various steps taken so far in the process of PRI-CBO convergence. He said that this partnership is envisaged to empower the poor to know, to demand and to access their rights and entitlements, include the poor and the vulnerable sections of the community in the local development process and enable them to benefit from it, strengthen the local democracy, making the Grama Panchayats responsive and accountable, engender local level development and make it participatory and inclusive and strengthen gram panchayats through citizen engagement.

Shri. Sunil Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) spoke on the 'MoPR Perspectives on PRI-CBO Convergence' via Video Conference.  He said that it is extremely heartening to learn that several women leaders have risen from the ranks of SHGs, particularly Kudumbashree and are now occupying positions as elected representatives in Panchayats at all three levels and some are now even getting elected to the legislative assemblies. That is perhaps the befitting response to the PRI-CBO convergence, the process that was set in motion over the last 15-20 years and in which Kerala has gained a pioneering role. In recent times, both MoRD and MoPR have been actively promoting this convergence. He added. 

He also complimented the Kudumbashree team, with the dance-drama presentation presented the journey of Kudumbashree which clearly showed that they now were active in almost all the nine themes that are now part of LSGDs, whether it is the theme of clean and green panchayat, socially just and socially secure panchayath, panchayath with gender development, child friendly panchayat, panchayath with good governance. In all these themes, Kudumbashree has shown that it has a vital role to play. He also added that he is happy to note that Kudumbashree is actively engaging with the NRLM in all the 16 to17 states participating in the workshop and is playing a key role and there is a lot that has to be learnt and that can be learnt from the Kudumbashree experience. He also added that he is happy to note that the delegates will be visiting Panchayats and see for themselves on how this convergence is coming out. 

Ms. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, MoRD talked about  the 'Universalization of Convergence Project- Key features and strategies'. Ms. Sarada Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala spoke on 'PRI-CBO Convergence- Concept, Strategies and Experiences'. Shri. S.M. Vijayanand, Former Chief Secretary, Kerala spoke on the 'Collaboration between MoPR and MoRD in Localising SDGs'. Shri. Sajith Sukumaran, COO, Kudumbashree NRO welcomed the gathering. The Live Musical Choreograph depicting the saga of Kudumbashree, penned by Shri. Karivellur Murali, Poet and sung by Ms. Pushpavathy Poypadathu was performed by Kudumbashree NHG members.  

'Convergence Chronicles', a compendium on learnings from PRI-CBO convergence initiatives was released during the function. MoU signing of Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya was also held during the function. Shri. Anil. P. Antony, Director, Kudumbashree signed the MoUs on behalf of Kudumbashree. Dr. Prasada Rao Vaddarapu, CEO, Tripura SRLM, Ms. Imtimenla, Mission Director, Nagaland SRLM, Ms. Kalyani Gupta, Deputy CEO, Himachal Pradesh SRLM, Shri Ronald Kynta, COO, Meghalaya SRLM,  Ms. Krishna Baruah, State Mission Director, Assam SRLM,  Ms. Usha Rani, Lead IBCB (Institution Building and Capacity Building), NRLM and Ms. Savithri, Puducherry SRLM were also present at the inaugural function.Ms. Krishna Baruah and Shri Ronald Kynta felicitated the dignitaries on the dais. 

In the afternoon session, the delegates were divided into 6 groups and they made field visits to Venganoor, Balaramapuram, Kottukal, Kanjiramkulam, Pallichal and Karakulam Panchayats and visited BUDS Institutions, Anganwadi, ALMSC (Anganwadi Level Monitoring and Support Committee, Budget Hotel (Janakeeya Hotel) and Haritha Karma Sena. They also made interactions with Panchayat, CDS and line department officials regarding Structure of Panchayat and CBO, Preparation of CDS Action Plans, Evaluation Committee, Women Component Plan, Destitute Free Kerala Programme, Microplan for Extreme Poor, Citizen’s committees, Sustainable Development Goals, VPRP- GPDP integration mechanisms and integration of schemes of line departments with GPDP.

On the second day of the workshop, the Experiences from the Field Visits were shared by the Field Visit Teams in the session moderated by Ms. Kavita Maria, National Mission Manager, NMMU (National Mission Management Unit). Prior to the presentation of the field visit teams, Ms. Priya Paul, Manager, PRI-CBO Convergence, Kudumbashree NRO explained the Three-Tier Community Structure of Kudumbashree in Kerala.

According to the delegates, the field visits gave them a wholesome experience and helped them to identify the gaps in their implementation and replicate the Kerala model. According to Dr. Prasada Rao Vaddarapu, CEO, Tripura SRLM, the Grama Panchayats in Kerala acts as a 'Mini Secretariat' and it is highly impressive. He added that Kerala has made tremendous achievements and Kerala should be considered a 'Global Model'. The delegates also mentioned about the effective convergence system they experienced and how this convergence is coming out. They also mentioned how systematically Haritha Karma Sena in the state is working. They also suggested that Janakeeya Hotels and BUDS Institutions are unique models from Kerala. 

Shri. Vikas Anand, Joint Secretary, MoPR talked on VPRP-GPDP (Village Poverty Reduction Plan-Grama Panchayat Development Plan) Integration: Scope of Convergence between CBOs and PRIs and Role of SIRD (State Institute of Rural Development), DoPR (Department of Panchayati Raj). Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary, Local Government Department, Government of Kerala moderated the Panel Discussion - PRI CBO Convergence: Role of MoPR (Ministry of Panchayati Raj), DoPR (Department of Panchayati Raj), NIRD (National Institute of Rural Administration), SIRD (State Institute of Rural Development).

Ms. Usha Rani, Lead IBCB, NRLM, moderated the Panel Discussion on 'Pilot experience of PRI-CBO Convergence' of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Meghalaya. Whereas, Ms. Jui Bhattacharya, National Mission Manager, NMMU moderated the State Operational Framework (SoF) Presentation of Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Himachal Pradesh.

Ms. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, MoRD spoke about the Way Forward. Shri. S.M. Vijayanand, Former Chief Secretary of Kerala, Dr. Prathyusha Bhatnaik, Assistant Professor, NIRDPR, Dr. Nirmala Sanu George, Advisor, Kerala State Finance Commission, Government of Kerala were also present at the function. Dr. B. Najeeb, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission delivered the vote of thanks. A Dance Programme by a group from Kurumba Tribal Community of Attappady was presented during the function.

The National Workshop was proposed on realising the need of organising a national consultative meeting with all the concerned stakeholders for the structured integration of the Panchayati Raj Institutions -Community Based Organisations interventions. The National Workshop on PRI-CBO Convergence Universalization Programme aims to address the vision of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) for the widespread implementation of the PRI-CBO convergence model across the country. 

The National  Workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Rural Livelihood Missions, National Institute of Rural Development, and State Institute of Rural Development. The workshop is serving as a platform to share experiences, insights, and best practices, and facilitate field visits to observe the tangible benefits and impact of the PRI-CBO convergence model on governance, community participation, and livelihood promotion.

The Objectives of the National Workshop include sharing the MoRD's vision for implementing the PRI-CBO convergence model across 16 states, emphasising citizen-centric governance, improved service delivery, and access to rights and entitlements, providing a platform for participants to share their experiences, challenges, successes, and lessons learnt in implementing the PRI-CBO convergence model, facilitating discussions on effective approaches, innovative practices, and solutions to common implementation hurdles, making exposure visits to understand the tangible benefits and impact of the model on governance, community participation, and livelihood promotion, engaging representatives from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Rural Development, State Rural Livelihood Missions, National Institute of Rural Development, and State Institute of Rural Development to foster dialogue, collaboration, and consensus-building to address challenges and develop a unified approach to universalise the PRI-CBO convergence model.

It is expected that the National Workshop on PRI-CBO Convergence Universalization Programme will yield significant outcomes that will contribute to the widespread implementation of the PRI-CBO convergence model across the states in India.

Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission launches 'Suraksha 20' Campaign to bring all Kudumbashree employees and all the members of the support system under insurance cover. The project is being implemented in collaboration with Lead Bank. Shri. Ratheesh Kumar. K, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree did the District Level Inauguration of the Campaign on 4 July 2023. Dr. Kavitha A, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission presided over the function. Shri. Praveen Kumar, Officer, Lead Bank was the Chief Guest of the function. 

A total of 275 people including Kudumbashree employees and support system members became part of the project. Ms. Reji Thomas, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission welcomed the gathering and Shri. Nirmal S.C, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission delivered the vote of thanks. The activities as part of the 'Suraksha 20' Campaign to bring the general public in the tribal areas of the district under insurance cover was started on 12 July 2023.

'Nattarangu 2023' of Nalleppally CDS of Palakkad stand out with the complete participation of the geriatrics. 'Nattarangu 2023', the Arts Festival for people between 60 and 80 years of age was organized under the auspices of the Nalleppally CDS at Nalleppally Grama Panchayath Hall, Palakkad. It was a festival that celebrated arts without competition, by cheering everyone on the stage and dancing and singing along with them. 

Such an Arts Festival was organized by Nalleppally CDS as part of the Relationship Kerala project implemented by Kudumbashree with the aim of mainstreaming the elderly, differently-abled groups and transgenders. The Arts Festival had the objectives of empowering the elderly NHGs, capacity building and nurturing the artistic skills of the members.

Various art forms learned in the past like singing film songs, dancing for film songs, Kollipaat, Skit, Porat Drama and Devotional Songs were all presented as part of the Arts Festival. Around 170 elderly People participated in the Arts Festival. They were also presented with gifts. 450 people, including men and women, are part of the elderly NHGs in the panchayath.

Ms. S. Anisha, President, Nalleppally Grama Panchayath inaugurated the festival. Shri. Satheesh, Vice President, Nalleppally Grama Panchayath presided over the function. Ms. Anitha, Kudumbashree CDS Chairperson welcomed the gathering. Ms. Renjini, Block Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree explained the Programme. Ms. Shelvam, CDS Vice Chairperson delivered the vote of thanks. Panchayath Governing Body members, CDS members and Kudumbashree officials participated in the function.

Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission launched 'Namath Usr' (Our Life), Anti-Drug Campaign to fight against addiction focusing on tribal villages. The campaign, which will last till 2 October 2023, is being organized in the Scheduled Tribe areas, educational institutions and other areas of the district in coordination with the Excise Department.

A number of activities like awareness classes, signature campaign, screening of anti-drug short films and rallies are planned as part of the campaign. The district-level inauguration of the campaign was performed by Shri. K.Krishnan Kutty, Minister of Electricity, Government of Kerala during the function held at Nadupathi Hamlet of Walayar on 03 July 2023.

As part of the campaign designed to educate the youth and the society about the consequences of drug addiction, activities will be organized to provide services of de-addiction centres to drug addicts, provide psychological support and counseling services to family members. These activities will be carried out jointly by Kudumbashree Snehitha Gender Help Desk staff and Community Counsellors.

Shri. A. Prabhakaran, MLA, Malampuzha Constituency presided over the inaugural function. Shri. V. Bijoy, President, Malampuzha Block Panchayath was the Chief Guest of the function. Shri. K.K. Chandradas, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission welcomed the gathering and Ms. M. Susheela, CDS Chairperson delivered the vote of thanks. The elders of the hamlets and the students of the hamlet who achieved high marks were felicitated in the function.

The  Any Time Milk (ATM) project implemented by Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission in association with Ernakulam District Panchayath is gaining attention. The district has started the 'Any Time Milk' project with the aim of providing quality cow's milk to the needy, collected from NHG members as part of the Kudumbashree project 'Ksheera Sagaram' in the field of Animal Husbandry.

The project is being implemented in Kottappady, Nedumbassery and Elamkunnappuzha in the district. The Kudumbashree District Mission has formed the 'Any Time Milk' Project by utilizing the financial assistance given by the District Panchayath for the financial year 2022-23 for the beneficiaries of the 'Ksheerasagaram' project, who find livelihood through cow rearing. There are more than 200 Ksheerasagaram units in the district. There are five people in a unit.

Areas where there is less chance of getting quality milk and high demand for milk have been selected for implementation of the project. A milk vending machine with a capacity of 200 litres is installed and milk is made available to the needy for an amount starting from Rs 10. The Ksheerasagaram units in the respective region are responsible for running the vending machine. Milk is collected from the Ksheerasagaram beneficiaries and are filled in the vending machines. This machine with a chiller system can keep the milk chilled without pasteurizing it.

Milk can be collected from the vending machine using a rechargeable card like an ATM card or cash. Training has been given to the beneficiaries to make and market by-products from the milk left in the machine. Shri. Ullas Thomas, President, District Panchayath performed the District level inauguration of the project  at Kottappady on 24 June 2023. 

The unit adjacent to Nedumbassery Airport Road has also started functioning. Operations will start soon at the unit at Elamkunnappuzha. It is aimed to expand the project to various areas of the district in the future. The 'Any Time Milk Centres' at Thaikavumpadi in Kottappady Panchayath and Nayathodu in Nedumbassery are open from 6 AM to 7 PM.

Kudumbashree launched 'Sajjam'- Building Resilience Programme for Balasabha Members. And from now onwards, Balasabha members will no longer falter in the face of disaster, they will make the public 'ready' for survival. The Climate change and environmental problems are all together causing disasters on our earth and these disasters affect children the most. Kudumbashree with the 'Sajjam-Surakshitharavam-Surakshitharakkam' Building Resilience Project, which prepares the new generation to face disasters. The target is to provide direct training to one lakh children aged 13 to 17 years who are members of the Kudumbashree Balasabha.

The District level training for Balasabha members will be started in the month of July. Ahead of this, a two-day training for master trainers was organized on 30 June 2023 and 1 July 2023. A total of 28 master trainers from 14 districts participated in the training. The main focus of the training was on Climate Change, Children's Rights and Responsibilities, Disasters and Hazards.

The 'Sajjam' Project imparts awareness to Balasabha members about disasters, how to recognize disasters and how to respond in such situations. Through these directly trained children, awareness will be imparted to other children and adults. The team preparing the module of this training will also serve as the State Level Technical Resource Team of the Scheme.

Kudumbashree bagged the 'Dhanam Change Maker Award' constituted by Dhanam Business Magazine. Ms. Anu Kumari IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree received the Award from Shri. K. N Balagopal, Minister for Finance, Government of Kerala during the 15th Dhanam Business Summit and Award Night held at Ernakulam on 22 June 2023. 

Kudumbashree, the State Poverty Eradication Mission of the Government of Kerala has been making notable changes in the  society for the last twenty-five years. 

As part of the 8th Anniversary of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Scheme, discussion and home visit was organized with the beneficiary families. The house visit was conducted by a team of Urban Local Body Representatives and PMAY - LIFE officials. Kudumbashree is the nodal agency for implementing the project in Kerala. In Kerala, PMAY (Urban) is being implemented in convergence with the LIFE scheme.

Through this scheme, which is being implemented in all 93 Urban Local Bodies of Kerala, so far it has been able to obtain permission to construct houses for 1,30,731  beneficiaries. Construction of 1,07,669 houses have been started and construction of 80,900 houses have been completed. Permission has been obtained for 970 house units in 11 Apartment Complexes for the landless homeless people. Construction of 938 units has been started out of which 360 have been completed.