Kudumbashree is organizing Logo, Tagline Competition to modify the existing logo as part of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Kudumbashree. Kudumbashree members and general public can participate in the competition. The prize is Rs. 10,000 each for logo and tagline. The winners will be awarded with the prize including the memento during the Kudumbashree Day Celebrations which will be held on 17 May 2023. 

Logo and tagline can be prepared either in English or Malayalam language. The works should be simple and relevant, clarifying the growth, development and importance of Kudumbashree, such as sustainable development through women's society, innovative career opportunities, inclusive of future development perspectives.

The entries must be received by 15 April 2023 to Executive Director, Kudumbashree State Poverty Eradication Mission, Trida Building, Medical College. P.O., Thiruvananthapuram 695 011.

For details- www.kudumbashree.org/logo

Rangashree teams across the state are organizing cultural procession to spread awareness on 'My Waste, My Responsibility' and the activities of Haritha Karma Sena. Through this Rangashree is doing its part for ensuring a garbage free Kerala. The Rangashree teams are making awareness on various activities of Haritha Karma Sena, who are making relentless efforts to keep Kerala clean.

The various activities of Haritha Karma Sena include collecting inorganic waste from every household, sorting it, handing over the recyclables to companies for that purpose, handing over the non-organic waste for road tarring, providing solutions and suggestions for organic waste management etc. Rangashree, the community theatre group of Kudumbashree is bringing awareness to the masses about the invaluable services rendered by Haritha Karma Sena by reminding every citizen of the duty of 'My Waste is My Responsibility'.

The Rangashree team members of the respective districts perform the Cultural Procession, which includes a play prepared under the name 'Nalla Bhoomiyude Pattukar' (The Singers of Good Earth), at various centres in each district. The Cultural Procession has been organized in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki and Malappuram districts.

On completing 25 successful years, Kudumbashree is giving a golden opportunity for Kudumbashree NHG members to prepare 'Theme Song' for Kudumbashree. The author of the selected song will receive a prize of Rs. 10,000 and a memento. The prize will be distributed at the Kudumbashree Day Celebration function on 17 May 2023.

Conditions:
1. The composition should be in 'Malayalam' language in line with a secular outlook on life.
2. Content should have a non-sexist message / theme.
3. The writing should inspire the acquisition of confidence, love and cooperative spirit.
4. The composition should not exceed sixteen lines including 'Pallavi', 'Anupallavi' and 'Charanam'.

Last date for receiving the entries is 15 April 2023. The entries may be sent to The Executive Director, State Poverty Eradication Mission (Kudumbashree), TRIDA Building, Medical College P.O, Thiruvananthapuram - 695011 
For more details, visit : www.kudumbashree.org/mudrageetham

A nine-member team from Kudumbashree led by Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree conducted a three-day study visit to Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to learn about best practices as part of the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM).

Andhra Pradesh is in the forefront of the states in implementing the project activities well. The team visited the seller points, marts and various other enterprises and also had meeting and interactions with the self-help group members, street vendors, Slum Level Federation (SLF), Town Level Federation (TLF) and Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) officials.

Kudumbashree has bagged the National Urban Livelihood Mission Award for Kerala for the fifth consecutive year in the SPARK Ranking of the states which implement Kudumbashree Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY- NULM). Through this Kerala has made a rare achievement through Kudumbashree for the fifth year in a row. Kerala has bagged the second position in the 2021-22 SPARK (Systematic Progressive Analytical Real Time Ranking) Ranking instituted by the Union Ministry of Urban Affairs. With this, Kerala  has also made the rare achievement of being the only state to win the award every year by placing in the top three in this ranking. Kudumbashree is the nodal agency of the project in the state.

The award amount is Rs 15 crores. This amount will be utilized for the expansion of project activities. The NULM scheme is being implemented in the urban areas of 29 States and 8 Union Territories in the country. Kerala is recognized for excelling in this at the national level. Andhra Pradesh came in the first position and Tamil Nadu came in the third position.  

The performance and progress under each sub-component for the financial year 2021-22 as per the general criteria laid down by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for timely completion of the objectives and activities of the NULM scheme was considered for the award. 

The details of various activities such as NHG formation, training provided in self-employment and wage-based employment, employment provision, timely fund utilization, submission of fund utilization certificate, audit completion, revolving fund. linkage loan, self-employment loan disbursed under the scheme etc. and their progress various activities will be collected through the Management Information System (MIS) of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The award is given after considering this. Last year, Kerala came first in the SPARK Ranking for the excellence of the project activities implemented in the state through Kudumbashree.

Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Hon. President of India inaugurated 'Rachna', the programme to write contemporary stories of women in Kerala who became part of Kudumbashree since its inception, during the grand function held at Uday Palace Convention Centre, Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram, organized by the Government of Kerala on 17 March 2023. The President unveiled the logo of 'Rachna' which is a 'festival of history writing' of 25 successful years of Kudumbashree. The President addressed Kudumbashree on the milestone of completing twenty-five years in the field of women's empowerment and poverty eradication.

The history of Kudumbashree is being documented through this programme called 'Rachana', which brings together more than five lakh women who are CDS members from the beginning of Kudumbashree. Kudumbashree's quarter-century history is being written by people who found their own place in the society and became self-sufficient due to the strength of Kudumbashree. The writing can also be described as 'history written by women for women'.

The Honorable President inaugurated the 'Rachna' at the State Government's civic reception for the President who came to Kerala for the first time after assuming office. The President said that women in Kerala are more educated and empowered and this is reflected in Kerala's good performance in human development indices. The President also pointed out that 'Kudumbashree' has become one of the largest women's self-help networks in the world in keeping up with the great tradition of women empowerment in Kerala.

As part of Kudumbashree's 25th anniversary celebrations, the books 'Chuvadu' on how Kudumbashree's tomorrow should be, the compilation of the ideas and achievements that emerged as part of the 'Chuvad' NHG Gathering organized on 26 January 2023 in three lakh NHGs and 'Kudumbashree @25' containing the experiences of 53 selected people about the changes in their lives through Kudumbashree were received by the the Honorable President from Shri. Arif Muhammed Khan, the Honorable Governor of Kerala.

Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala presented the gift of the State Government to the President. As a gift from Kudumbashree, the portrait of the President painted by Master Aju of BUDS School, Wayanad  was presented to the President by Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister of Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala and  Smt. Arya Rajendran, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation presented the gift of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

The President also inaugurated the 'Unnathi', the scheme for the comprehensive development of the Scheduled Tribes and also released the Technical Engineering, Diploma books translated to Malayalam. Shri. A.N. Shamseer, Speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly, Shri. K. Radhakrishnan, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes and Devaswoms, Government of Kerala, Shri. V.D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition, Shri V.K. Prasanth, MLA, Dr. V.P. Joy IAS, Chief Secretary of Kerala, Dr. Saji Gopinath, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Digital University also participated in the function.

In the afternoon session, a panel discussion was organized by Kudumbashree on the topic "Role of Women's Associations in Local Economic Development". Following that there was a musical concert performed by prominent playback singer Smt. Gayatri Asokan.

Kudumbashree has launched Micro Enterprise Resource Centre (MERC) to strengthen the entrepreneurship development activities. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the first of its kind Micro Enterprise Resource Centre at Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram on 13 March 2023. The Minister said that the Micro Enterprise Resource Centres started under the leadership of Kudumbashree will strengthen the entrepreneurship development activities.

The Minister said that MERCs will function as Employability Centres at the block level as per the guidelines related to Local Economic Development. Kudumbashree aims to strengthen the livelihood sector to ensure sustainable employment and income for women. Micro Enterprise Resource Centres started at block level will be the best mechanism to grow enterprises. He also clarified that through this, various supports needed to start the enterprise will be available along with finding the real beneficiaries.

Shri. G.R. Anil, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Kerala said in the presiding speech that Micro Enterprise Resource Centres will help women to get knowledge and skills to enter diverse career fields using new information technologies in the modern world. He also released the logo prepared as part of the project.

MERCs also started functioning in Idukki, Kottayam and Kasaragod districts from 13 March 2023. By 31 March 2023, MERC will start operations in all the remaining nine districts except Wayanad. Shri. Jafar Malik, Executive Director, Kudumbashree stated in the project explanation that the aim is to expand the project to 30 blocks in the next financial year.

Ms. Sreeja C.S, Chairperson, Nedumangad Municipality welcomed the gathering. Shri. D.K. Murali, MLA and Shri. G. Stephen MLA were the chief guests of the programme. Ms. V. Ambili, President, Nedumangad Block Panchayath, Ms. Lekha Rani. U, President, Karakulam Grama Panchayath, Ms. R. Kala, President, Aruvikkara Grama Panchayath, Ms. Beena Jayan S, Ms. Shailaja, Ms. Mini. S, Presidents, Grama Panchayath, Ms. Sunitha, Chairperson, Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayath Standing Committee, Shri. B. Satheesan, Chairman, Nedumangad Municipality Welfare Affairs Standing Committee, Shri. K.V. Sreekanth, Member, District Panchayath, Ms. Sindhu Krishna Kumar, Councilor, Nedumangad Municipality, Shri. Sreekanth A.S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree and Ms. Seenath, Chairperson, MERC also participated in the programme. Dr. B. Najeeb, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram delivered the vote of thanks.

'Noorang' team's exhibition became the talk of the town. 'Noorang' Team from Thirunelly of Wayanad district of Kerala has set up exhibition and marketing of different tubers & leafy plants in Thiruvananthapuram. The tubers and leafy plants includes Sugandha Kachil, Payasa Kachil, Makkaleppotti, Karinthal, Velunthal and Karimanjal etc. 'Noorang' is a group formed by around ten women from three Kudumbashree NHGs of Irumbupalam Hamlet of Thirunelly as part of the Thirunelly Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree in Wayanad.

This group works with the aim of conservation, seed production and distribution of tubers, which had a permanent place in the diet of the tribal communities, and imparting knowledge about tubers to the new generation. As part of their tuber cultivation, 130 varieties of tubers were harvested on 4 February 2023.

'Noorang' team became part of the Vaiga Agricultural Exhibition Fair organized at Putharikandam Ground, Thiruvananthapuram from 26 February 2023 to 2 March 2023. A team of 100 had prepared more than 180 display items, including rice and honey, at the stall named 'Paithrukam' (Heritage). Ms. Sunitha, Ms. Rani, Ms. Lakshmi, Ms. Sharada, Mr. Anish and Ms. Sathyabhama are the ones who brought the 'Noorang' fame to Thiruvananthapuram all the way from Thirunelly.

More than 1500 Kudumbashree members convened & celebrated International Women's Day in all its glory. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala officially inaugurated the programme on 8 March 2023. Borrowing the words of the LSGD Minister, these 1500 members were none other than the members of Haritha Karma Sena who strengthen the 'Green Army of Kerala'! They were the participants of the Haritha Karma Sena Sangam organized by Kudumbashree in connection with the International Women's Day celebrations. The Minister also handed over of keys and flagged off the e-rickshaws provided to the Haritha Karma Sena units the using the CSR Fund of ICICI Bank and  inaugurated  'Dheeram', the karate training programme for NHG members.

Shri. V. Abdurahiman, Minister for Sports, Government of Kerala presided over the function. The Minister also launched the logo of the 'Dheeram' project and distributed uniforms to the karate trainees. Both the Ministers jointly performed the distribution of awards to the Best Performing Haritha Karma Sena units and the local bodies that have provided the best support to them and handed over the Memorandum of Understanding for the 'Dheeram' project.

Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala said that only by strengthening the Haritha Karma Sena system, the goal of waste-free Kerala can be achieved and the best contribution of Kudumbashree for effective waste management is the Haritha Karma Sena. He also said that it is the best system for doorstep collection and the service of Haritha Karma Sena is very valuable to achieve the government's goal of a waste-free Kerala. He also pointed out that 28,000 Haritha Karma Sena members working in the state removed 5000 tonnes of plastic waste in the last financial year. The Minister said that the 'Dheeram' project will help women in self-defense and increase their confidence and it is the most appropriate day to start the project to provide training in martial arts to women. 420 women will be trained in karate in two phases and then karate training teams will be formed in micro-enterprise model through the project.

Shri. V. Abdurahiman, Minister for Sports, Government of Kerala said that the objective of celebrating women's day is to appreciate the achievements of women and to create awareness about gender equality. Kerala is a state that implements many schemes for women to advance economically and socially. We pay special attention to important issues like gender equality and equal rights. Projects implemented by Kudumbashree to achieve gender equality and women empowerment are gaining world attention today. He said that learning martial arts is the best way to increase the physical capacity of women and face dangerous situations with confidence and the 'Dheeram' project implemented by Kudumbashree will be of great help to Kudumbashree women.

Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Shri. B.K Venkatesh, Ms. Athira Kannan, Zonal Heads, ICICI Foundation, Shri M. Krishna Das, Municipal Chairman, Guruvayoor Municipality, Shri. Sujin, Chairman, Eloor Municipality, Ms. Vinitha P and Ms. Sindhu Sasikumar, CDS Chairpersons, Shri. Prem Krishnan IAS, Director, Sports Kerala Foundation, Shri. Anil P. Antony, Director, Kudumbashree and Shri. Ajay Kumar, Chief Financial Officer, Kudumbashree participated in the function. Ms. Sreebala Ajith, Kudumbashree, State Programme Officer delivered vote of thanks.

As a part of Women's Day celebrations, Dr. K. Vasuki IAS, Labour Commissioner conducted a motivational class for Haritha Karma Sena members. A talk show was also organized with selected Haritha Karma Sena members from the districts. Ms. Priya Paul, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree was the moderator of the talk show. Shri. N. Jagajeevan, Consultant, Suchithwa Mission presented the topic.

The 'Kerala Chicken' project being implemented by Kudumbashree in the state has also been extended to Alappuzha district. Shri. P. Prasad, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Kerala inaugurated the project during the function held at P.P. Swathanthra smaraka community hall, Kanjikuzhy on 7 March 2023. With this, the presence of the Kerala Chicken project implemented by Kudumbashree has increased to nine districts.

Kudumbashree is implementing the 'Kerala Chicken' project through Kudumbashree Broiler Farmers Producer Company Limited, which aims to provide quality chicken meat to the consumers at an affordable price.

Ms. Geetha Karthikeyan, President, Kanjikuzhy Grama Panchayath presided over the function. Shri. Prashanth Babu. J, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree, Alappuzha welcomed the gathering. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree delivered the keynote address.

Shri. Krishna Teja IAS. the then District Collector, Alappuzha was the Chief Guest of the function. He congratulated the farmers who had done excellent work in the field of Animal Husbandry under Kudumbashree in various panchayaths of Kanjikuzhy block and honoured them with plaques and 'Ponnada' (Silk Cloth). Dr. Sajeev Kumar, Kudumbashree Programme Officer explained the future activities of the project.

Shri. Sooraj IAS, Sub Collector, Alappuzha, Shri. V. Uthaman, Member, District Panchayath Division, Ms. Shirley Bhargavan, Chairperson, Cherthala Municipality, Ms. Sudarshana Bhai Teacher, President, Mararikulam North Grama Panchayath, Shri. James Chunkathara, President, Kadakarapally Gram Panchayath paid their felicitations. Shri. Xavier K.V, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.