Kudumbashree received the 6th TNG Award, instituted by Asianet News in memory of Late Shri. T.N. Gopakumar, who was a prominent journalist and former editor of Asianet News. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree received the award from Ms. Mallika Sarabhai, renowned dancer and activist at the function held at the Kerala Sahithya Academy Hall, Thrissur on 4 February 2023. Dr. R. Bindu, Minister of Higher Education, Government of Kerala was the Chief Guest of the function.

The Award is in recognition of the overall contribution made by Kudumbashree to the self-sufficiency and empowerment of women, which is in its Silver Jubilee Year. The Award consists of Rs. 2 lakhs, a memento and a certificate.

Kudumbashree is all set to be an active presence in the 13th edition of International Theatre Festival (ITFOK - International Theatre Festival of Kerala). Representatives of Rangashree, the theatre troupe of Kudumbashree NHG members, will also participate in the National Theatre Workshop for Women organized as part of the Theatre Festival organized at Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) in Mulagunnathukavu, Thrissur from 7 to 12 February 2023. Kudumbashree will also organize a National Food Fair where unique food products from different parts of the country will be available.

Rangashree is a theatre group formed by Kudumbashree with the aim of strengthening the presence of NHG women in the fields of art and culture. These community theatre groups of Kudumbashree are being used to deliver messages that enable social transformation. Rangashree also provides a great opportunity for NHG members who are interested in acting and arts.

Rangashree teams are present in all 14 districts. 28 Rangashree team members are participating in the workshop as part of ITFOK. The workshop will be led by Ms. M.K. Raina, Ms. Anuradha Kapur and Ms. Neelam Mansingh, Theatre Experts in National Level. The workshop is open daily from 8 AM to 11 AM. Later time is an opportunity to watch the plays and understand the preparations of the play first hand. 

Organized with the message of 'Onnikkanam Manavikatha' (Humanity must Unite), the International Theatre Festival will feature plays from different countries and plays from different states of India.

The Digital Literacy Programme being organized by Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission has opened the doors of digital world to the NHG members of Malappuram district.  Though the NHG members have  smartphones, they use it only to call and talk to someone or to send a couple of WhatsApp messages. Through the Digital Literacy Programme, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission has opened the opportunity for 30,000 NHG members to acquire knowledge that will put the world at their fingertips, including banking services advanced by the digital world.

This Digital Literacy Project for the NHG members who have not even heard of e-mail or e-services, who do not think that banking services can be done through their smartphones without standing in long queues, and who do not take advantage of its potential, is organized in association with P N Panicker Foundation. Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission aims to complete the project which started on 15 January 2023 by this month.

Kudumbashree members up to 60 years of age can acquire digital literacy as part of this programme. Three Resource Persons each are identified from every panchayath and are extended training. It is through them, the project is implemented at the panchayath level. The project  will also have assistance from youth clubs, library councils and volunteer workers.

Resource Persons have been selected and trained in all 111 CDSs of Malappuram district. The activities of registering online training centres in CDSs have also been completed. The registration of learners using biometric devices provided by P.N. Panicker Foundation to the training centres is now in progress. After 10 days of registration and training, one can appear for the exam online. Those who successfully complete the training will also be awarded the NIOS certificate by the IT Ministry.

A one day workshop on 'Commercial Sustainable and Safe Broiler Chicken Production Methods for Kerala Chicken Stakeholders' jointly organized by Kudumbashree and Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Kerala was held at Hotel Grand Chaithram, Thiruvananthapuram on 1 February 2023. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the workshop. The workshop included various sessions on antibiotic use, production of antibiotic-free chicken, alternative approaches to antibiotics, economic feasibility and future perspective to achieve this goal, and change in management practices.

The workshop was organized with the objective of drafting an approved operating procedure for reducing antibiotic residues in broiler chicken and making commercial broiler farming a sustainable source of income. Based on this, Kudumbashree and Animal Welfare Department will jointly prepare a draft of the approved operating procedure by including the best suggestions. Once this becomes available, comprehensive development will be possible including better broiler management and sustainable employment and income for farmers.

The draft of the approved course of action will include clear guidelines on antibiotic use, antibiotic-free poultry production, antibiotic alternative approaches, economic viability and future perspective to achieve this goal, and changes in management practices. The draft will also include recommendations on health care of chicks, disease control, vaccination, control of diseases caused by inorganic materials, methods of controlling disease vectors, and scientific methods for testing the quality of feed and water.

Advanced broiler management and farmer welfare including measures to ensure on-farm biosecurity, effective waste disposal and meat processing, scientific training of farmers in poultry farming, production of safe and edible poultry, sustainable markets and various certifications are examined in detail. It has been decided  to include in the draft proposals that will help ensure sustainable employment and income for the farmers working in this field, along with this.

Dr. A. Kowsigan IAS, Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Kerala welcomed the gathering. Dr. Aravind, Dr. Binoy Chacko, Dr. Harikrishnan S, Dr. Surya Shankar, Dr. Jess Varghese, Dr. Punyamoorthy, Dr. Sreenivas Gupta, Dr. Naushad Ali, Dr. Tony Jose, Dr. Natarajan, Dr. Eapen John, Dr. Rana Raj, Dr. Chandra Prasad, Dr. Swapna Susan Abraham, Dr. Selva Kumar, Dr. Bijulal, Dr. Sajeev Kumar, Dr. Sunil, Dr. Anuraj and Dr. Sudhi R spoke on various topics. Along with Kudumbashree, representatives of KEPCO, Brahmagiri Development Society and Meat Products of India, which are working as part of the Kerala Chicken Project, also participated in the workshop.
                                                                                                   
Kudumbashree and the Department of Animal Husbandry joined hands to prepare an approved operating procedure to be adopted in the production process and distribution chain in a situation where the consumption of meat containing antibiotic residues in the market poses a global threat to public health. Kerala Chicken is a scheme conceived and implemented by the Government of Kerala with the aim of providing quality chicken meat to consumers at reasonable prices and producing at least fifty percent of the domestic consumption here.

Kudumbashree has bagged the 6th Asianet News TNG Award. The Award given by Asianet News in memory of Late Shri. T.N Gopakumar, who was a prominent media personality and editor of Asianet News. The Award is in recognition with the overall contribution made by Kudumbashree to the self-sufficiency and empowerment of women. The Award consists of Rs. 2 lakhs, a memento and a certificate. 

Kudumbashree was selected for the 6th TNG Award by Asianet News Editorial Board. Ms. Mallika Sarabhai, renowned dancer and activist will present the award at the function proposed to be held at Kerala Sahithya Akademy Hall, Thrissur on 4 February 2023. Dr. R. Bindu, Minister of Higher Education, Government of Kerala will be the Chief Guest of the function.

Kudumbashree shines in the 74th Republic Day Parade held at Delhi. The Shinkari Melam performed by two Shinkari Melam units from Kannur district of Kerala and Irula Dance performed by tribal women from Attappady of Palakkad district were the main attraction of the Republic Day Tableau of Kerala, that focused on women power.

The Shinkari Melam was performed jointly by 12 women, out of which 8 of them from the Sapthavarna unit of Pappinisseri and 4 women from Penpolika unit of Mangattidam of Kannur. They were Ms. Sindhu Balakrishnan, Ms. Joshina Ashokan, Ms, Ramitha Ratheesh, Ms. Shailaja Rajan, Ms. Balaja Pramod, Ms. Rajani Soman, Ms. Lasitha Varadhan, Ms. Sajitha Aravind, Ms. Vijina Rajeevan, Ms. Vanaja Balan, Ms. Leela Chandran and Ms. Omana Pradeepan are the women who performed the Shinkari Melam.

Kudumbashree has been extending support to the Sapthavarna unit started in 2011 and Penpolika unit started in 2014. Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission had extended them relentless support when they lost the musical instruments during the unprecedented floods of 2018. The members of the Art Group led by Nanchiyamma, the recipient of the National Film Award for the Best Playback Singer had taken part in the Republic day Tableau. Ms. Pushpa, Ms. Vijaya, Tribal Animators of Kudumbashree Attappady Special Project. Ms. B Shobha, Ms. U. K Shakuntala, Ms. B Rani, Ms. B Sarojini, Ms. L Rekha and Ms. Gauri performed the Irula Dance.  Kudumbashree had marked their strong presence in the 74th Republic Day Celebrations of the country.

The date for submitting entries for 'Sargam-2023' the State Level Story Writing Competition for Kudumbashree women is extended till 6 February 2023.  The stories along with the author's name, address, phone number and a certificate of CDS Chairperson proving membership of Kudumbashree should be made available by post or courier. 'Sargam 2023- Story Writing Competition' should be written on the outside of the cover. The last date for receiving the entries in 6 February 2023. 

The entries may be send to the following address : The Executive Director, Kudumbashree State Poverty Eradication Mission, Trida Building-2nd Floor, Medical College P.O.,Thiruvananthapuram-695 011. The entries sent through e-mail and WhatsApp will not be considered for the competition. For more information about the competition, visit : www.kudumbashree.org/sargam2023.

The enthusiasm and energy obtained from 'Chuvad 2023' NHG Gathering should be used to increase entrepreneurial ability, said Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala. He mentioned it in the video message given to the Kudumbashree members who took part in 'Chuvad 2023' State Level NHG Gathering organized by Kudumbashree. 

In the fourteenth Five Year Plan, the Government gave special focus on Local Economic Development and on creating job opportunities based on that.  In addition to the existing NHG members and the newly formed Auxiliary group members should be able to maximize the potential of job entrepreneurship as a system of mobilizing around 50 lakh women. From now, efforts to create business enterprise models based on innovative ideas should emerge from NHGs. Each NHGs should be able to start at least one enterprise within the next one year. Kudumbashree NHGs should maintain a healthy competition in that case. The Minister said.

 More importance should be given to activities that would help in increasing the income from poverty eradication activities. As Socially Relevant Enterprises, Martial Art Training Groups are being started under the leadership of Kudumbashree.  Kudumbashree should be able to fight back social evils such as addiction and dowry. Kudumbashree could play a great role in realizing the dream of setting up a poverty free state. The Minister added. He also appreciated every woman who took part in 'Chuvad 2023' NHG Gathering.

'Chuvad 2023' Ayalkkootta Sangamam (NHG Gathering) held on 26 January 2023 created history adding more colour to the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Kudumbashree. 'Chuvad 2023' has indeed made a mark in the history of Kudumbashree. The 'Ayalkkootta Sangamam' organized on the 74th Republic Day of the country made a new sense of energy among the Kudumbashree members. 

In most of the places, the stages were decorated using bio-degradable properties following the green protocol. Members started coming to the NHGs from morning itself as per the prior instructions given. 46 lakh women joined together under Kudumbashree which has won national and international acclaim for being the largest association of women in Asia. National flags were hoisted in 3 lakh NHGs in the state at 8 AM itself and every NHG sang the 'Sangamam' song written and tuned by themselves. together.  Following that they listened to the message of the Minister of Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala through the official YouTube Channel of Kudumbashree.  

The discussion mainly held at the NHG level were the changes brought in by Kudumbashree in the lives of NHG members and in the society based on the experience of 25 years. It was notable that new suggestions came forward from the NHGs to formulate and implement new project activities as per the need of the new era. Also. discussions were held on the topics such as health, hygiene, cleans neighborhoods, developmental needs of NHG families and localities and reports were prepared. 

Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government of Kerala attended the NHG meeting at Thejas NHG of Palakkad South CDS of Palakkad and Dr. R Bindu, Minister, Higher Education and Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala attended the NHG meeting at Kairali NHG of Meenangadi CDS of Wayanad district. Adv. K. Rajan, Minister, Revenue and Housing, Government of Kerala became part of the NHG meetings of the Maithri NHG and Matha NHG of Nadathara CDS of Thrissur. Whereas Shri. Jafar Malik, Executive Director, Kudumbashree participated in the NHG meetings of Friends NHG of Thekkevila Division of East CDS and Vaishali NHG of Udayamarthandapuram of Kollam district.  Also, MLAs, District Collectors, eminent personalities from art and cultural sectors became part of 'Chuvad 2023'. 

Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group members, Balasabha members, Elderly NHG members, BUDS School children, Transgender NHG members and State Mission-District Mission staffs also became part of 'Chuvad 2023'.

Government of Kerala declared May 17 as Kudumbashree Day. Government Order regarding the same has been issued adding more colour to the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Kudumbashree. As part of the completion of twenty-five years of Kudumbashree, the government has issued an order announcing that May 17 will be observed as Kudumbashree Day in the coming years. May 17 is the foundation day of Kudumbashree.

Kudumbashree, which started working in the state in 1998 with the aim of absolute poverty eradication and economic-social empowerment of women, will complete twenty-five years on 17 May 2023. Based on this, the Executive Director of Kudumbashree gave a letter to the government on 8 December 2022 requesting that May 17 be declared as Kudumbashree Day. The new announcement is in consideration with the letter given by the Executive Director of Kudumbashree.  

The government's new announcement will add momentum to the NHG meeting programs organized in all the three lakh NHGs of the state on 26 January 2023, starting with the Silver Jubilee celebrations. Kudumbashree is preparing to transform the NHG meeting into a strong step of the women's community in which 46 lakh Kudumbashree women participate at the same time with various programmes.