Kudumbashree's Snehitha Gender Help Desk is a system that provides help, support and shelter to women and children who are victims of violence. On 23 August 2024, it has been 11 years since the Snehitha Centre started functioning in Ernakulam district. Many programmes were implemented by the district. Radioshree, Kudumbashree's Online Radio broadcasted special programme in connection with the Anniversary of  Snehitha Gender Help Desk at Ernakulam. Radioshree broadcasted a special programme called 'Vijayaveethi' from 4 to 5 pm on 23 August 2024, where one could get to know the activities of Snehitha Gender Help Desk in Ernakulam district.

 Apart from this, in connection with Snehitha anniversary in Ernakulam district, various publicity programmes like public announcement about Snehitha under the leadership of Kudumbashree Rangashree team in the name 'Uchabhashini', Gender Challenge and Online Gender Game aimed at creating gender awareness among the public were also organized. Also it is aimed to organize various programmes such as 'Unnathi', 'Blooming Buds' for the children of coastal areas, flash mobs/flyer campaigns centered on Gender Resource Centers and 'Phoenix' for underprivileged women are also targeted to be implemented in Ernakulam district from 23 August 2024 in the upcoming days in connection with the anniversary.

Kudumbashree is moving ahead with efforts to start Happiness Centres in 154 Model CDSs with the concept of Happy Kerala. The aim is to raise the happiness index of families. A three-day state-level training programme for the project trainers will be conducted on 28, 29 and 30 August 2024, with districts divided into South and North regions. 

A state-level training module, project-related guidelines and a template for surveying households were also prepared at a Planning Workshop organized in Thiruvananthapuram on 19 August 2024. The regional openings are Kollam and Kozhikode. A total of 140 people will participate in the training (ten people from each district). The training is conducted by State Level Resource Persons comprising of experts in various fields.

Trainees will participate in the activities of setting up 'Happiness Forums' at District and CDS ADS levels. The Happiness Forum is formed by including representatives of the Kudumbashree three-tier organizational system and representatives of local bodies. 'Idam' (spaces) will also be formed at the ward level with 10 to 40 families in each ward. It will include all the families in the general society. The family-based micro-level plan will be prepared in these 'spaces' formed at the ward level to find out the required happiness index for each family.

Dr. B Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Dr. Sreelekha T.J, Dr. Razeena Padmam, Shri. Rafi. P, Senior Programme Associate, UN World Food Programme Nutrition Division, Shri  Baiju Kumar R. S, Ms. Subha Sree, Ms. Sunitha, Nutritionists, Ms. Krishnakumari, Ms. Preetha G. Nair, Ms. Feby, State Assistant Program Managers, Kudumbasree District Program Managers, Ms. Beena, Ms. Nishitha, Dr. Unnimol, Ms. Anu, representatives of Snehitha participated in the planning workshop.

What are Happiness Centres?
Kudumbashree aims to make every family a centres of happiness by ensuring the overall well-being and upliftment of every individual and family in the society through Happiness Centres. With the implementation of this very innovative concept, Kerala will be able to advance in the happiness index and become a model for other states. The project is implemented in connection with the FNHW (Food, Nutrition, Health and WASH) activities as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission implemented by Kudumbashree.

Actions are planned for the project to address the inadequacies faced by an individual or family in various areas like equality, economic sustainability, environment, art, literature, sports, mental health, nutrition, hygiene and democratic values and lead them to a happy life. The project will be implemented in such a way that it will be helpful to every person of the society like children, youth, adults and the elderly.

Activities
A survey will be conducted focusing on the families in the Model CDSs where Happiness Centres will be established and a micro-level plan will be prepared to raise the Happiness Index of those families. On the basis of this project, a Happiness Index will be prepared according to the social situation of Kerala and the project activities will be started after conducting an evaluation under the leadership of experts in various fields.

Kudumbashree will make convergences with various departments like health, social justice, women and child development, agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy development, forest and other departments in the implementation of the project. It will also coordinate with the various projects implemented by Kudumbashree.

The trainees of BUDS Institutions celebrated BUDS Day on 16 August 2024 with various events. BUDS Schools and BUDS Rehabilitation Centres (for above 18 years) are jointly run by local self-government bodies and Kudumbashree for intellectually challenged children. The first BUDS School in the state started functioning in Venganoor Gram Panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram district on 16 August 2004. The objectives of the Celebration of BUDS Day is to make BUDS Institutions more popular, bringing trainees into the mainstream of society, embedding more children in BUDS Institutions and providing psychological support to parents.

BUDS Week was also organized as part of BUDS Day Celebrations. As part of the BUDS Day Celebrations, various Buds institutions organized many programmes such as home visits to the homes of fellow trainees who could not reach the institutions, awareness raising for parents, public visits, film screenings, outings and art programmes. As of now, there are 11847 trainees in 361 existing institutions (BUDS Schools and BUDS Rehabilitation Centres).

As part of the conversion of Kudumbasree CDSs in urban areas into model CDSs, a renovated Kudumbasree CDS office with modern systems has started functioning in Nilambur Municipality of Malappuram district on 15 August 2024. Ms. P. K Sainaba, Executive Member, Kudumbashree Governing Body inaugurated the Modernized Model CDS Office. Shri. Mattummal Saleem, Municipal Chairman, who is also a member of the Kudumbashree Governing Body, presided over the function. There are 33 ADSs and 448 NHGs under Nilambur CDS. At present there are 168 Model CDSs in urban and rural areas under the Kudumbashree organizational system.

The BUDS School children had the realization that even a single rupee has its own price for the tears of the people of Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad who were affected by the natural calamity. The way the students of BUDS School in Thazhekkode of Malappuram district have found to donate an amount they can to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund was an eye-opener.  With the help of their parents, the BUDS children collected Rs 8500 by preparing tea and sweets in Karingalathani town. 19 children are studying in BUDS School, which is working under Thazhekkode Panchayat. Rahshah Anshif Hafil and Ajmal Dilshad, the children gave the leadership to the programme. The other children helped them. Village panchayat representatives, Shri. Ayoob, Ms. Sajna Nusaiba, Ms. Shamna Tahira, parents of BUDS  School Children, Shri. Mubashir, Ms. Aaya Fahisha, Teachers extended the support. This intervention of the students of  BUDS School. Thazhekkode was really inspiring for everyone to collect every rupee as much as they can and come forward to wipe the tears to their fellow beings.

Kudumbashree made notable achievements in State Farm Awards 2023. Ms. K Bindu, Member, Haritha JLG in Pattuvam CDS of  Kannur district won the 'Karshaka Thilakam' Award for the Best Woman Farmer in Kerala. Whereas, Kudumbashree BUDS Paradise School of Thirunelly Grama Panchayat in Wayanad district won the Award for the Best Agricultural School in Special School Category.

Bindu is cultivating many crops such as  paddy, flowers, turmeric, ginger, vegetables, sesame and chickpeas in 26 acres of land. Ms. Bindu of Kakavani House, Mangalasserry has been active in agriculture for the last 25 years. Bindu also trains Kudumbashree members to operate farm machinery.

40 differently-abled students are studying at BUDS Paradise School, which is run under the supervision of Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission and Thirunelly Gram Panchayat. The Agri Therapy Project implemented in about 1 acre of land as per the directions of Kudumbashree State Mission for the mental and physical growth of the trainees made the school eligible for the award. Assistance was provided by the Keystone Foundation to set up the vegetable garden. Thirunelly Krishi Bhavan also supervised the project.

Tomatoes, brinjals, cauliflower, cabbage, pulses, spinach, colocasia, elephant yam, cassava, banana, ivy gourd, green chillies, bird's eye chilli, purple yam and bamboos are cultivated for children's lunch.

Four Kudumbashree members reached Delhi to participate as invited guests to take part in the Independence Day Parade at Delhi's Red Fort on 15 August 2024. Ms. Soumya Biju from Thrissur, district Ms. Natasha Baburaj from Ernakulam district and Ms. Sreevidya R from Palakkad district and Ms. Silna K V from Kasaragod district  flew from Kochi International Airport to Delhi on 13 August 2024.

The opportunity was given to two persons each belonging to the categories of 'Lakhpati Didi' who have an annual income of Rs 1 lakh and 'Drone Didi' who have received drone training. They came to Delhi on the invitation of the Union Ministry of Rural Development as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) project implemented by Kudumbashree.

Soumya's (Puthiyamadath House, Varantharapilly) main source of income is vegetable farming and cow and goat rearing. Soumya is the member of Jeeva NHG. Mushroom cultivation and manufacturing of value-added products from coconuts is the livelihood of Natasha Baburaj (Edapparampil house in Edakkattuvayal). Natasha owns a venture called 'Keerthi Mushroom'. Both belong to 'Lakhpati Didi' category.

On the other hand Srividya (Adichiratil House in Kizhakkethara) and Silna (Manikoth, Kanhangad) have received 'Drone Didi' training. Sreevidya, member of Ahalya NHG and Silna, member of Jwala NHG are expertly trained and hold drone licenses. Drone Didis are doing activities including spraying fertilizers in the fields.

The NHG members are accompanied with their partners and Dr. Shameena P.N, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree and Ms. Chinchu Shaj, State Assistant Programme Manager.

The first training of Punarjeevanam'- Kudumbashree's Entrepreneurship Development Series to revive the livelihood opportunities in the agricultural sector held at Nirvana Holistic Living, Sholayur, Attappady, Palakkad has concluded. The three day training programme started when Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala launched the programme and inaugurated the first training of the series online on 12 August 2024. 

On the final day of the  training, Dr. Jisy George, Subject Matter Specialist, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha spoke about the Value Addition of Small Grains/ Banana. She explained the need to include millet in the diet and how millets will help in controlling lifestyle diseases like diabetes and pointed out the health benefits and nutrition values of different millets. Dr. Jisy also explained in detail about the value added products such as traditional products, bakery products, extruded products, flaked and popped products, instant food mixes, fortified products and probiotic products. Practical sessions were also held.

Ms. Aswathy, Entrepreneur, V One, Tholikkode, Punalur, Kollam shared her success story during the session 'Women Empowerment through Livelihood-Success Stories of Women Entrepreneurs'. She explained the struggles she had faced in life in becoming a successful entrepreneur. She shared about the training she received, how she launched her product to the market and how she is marketing her product. She demonstrated her products during the training programme and she stressed the importance of labelling and branding while launching a product. She also offered her wholehearted support for the trainees who wish to launch their own products. The presentation of 5 nutritional products prepared from small grains such as Health Mix, Cookies (Spicy), Cookies (Sweet), Porridge mix and Upma mix was also arranged. 

Punarjeevanam will bring about a major change in the agricultural livelihood sector by focusing on skill development required at community level in each district and year-long continuous training and support. Punarjeevanam is a revolutionary step of Kudumbashree in the field of agricultural livelihood. The project was jointly implemented by the Kudumbashree State Mission and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's flagship organization in tuber research, the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI).

The second day of 'Punarjeevanam' - Kudumbashree's Entrepreneurship Development Series to revive the livelihood opportunities in agricultural sector being held at Attappady of Palakkad was filled with insightful lessons on entrepreneurship, livelihood opportunities in agricultural sector by a woman entrepreneur who lost her 'sight' when she was about to enter her teenage. But disability doesn't get in the way of Ms. Geetha who was striving to become independent.  She overcame many hustles, completed her graduation and became a successful entrepreneur who is now earning a good income through her innovation. Geetha is now producing a superfood supplement named 'Curcumeal' which is made out of turmeric. She is also a member of Sneha Lakshmi NHG of Adat Panchayath of Thrissur district. She shared her success story during the session 'Women Empowerment through Livelihood-Success Stories of Women Entrepreneurs'.

After researching for three years, Ms. Geetha developed her product and named it 'Curcumeal'. It can be consumed raw or by mixing it in hot milk or milk shakes or smoothies and is good for everyone from children to adults. According to Geetha, as it is made out of turmeric, it’s healthy and has no side effects. It is a blend of organic turmeric, dates, almond, pepper, coconut milk and jaggery.  She uses 100% pure home grown turmeric named 'Pratibha' which has the highest curcumin content, which is the bioactive compound in turmeric that carries all its potential. According to her she produces the turmeric for making her product with the help of 350 women farmers in Attappady and buys back the same from them.

Geetha along with her husband Mr. Saleesh has developed a website named 'geethashome2home.com' where they sell their products. They are also selling their product through amazon and a few retail shops as well. They have also developed a product named 'First Drink', a curcumin based premix that boosts immunity and vitality.

According to Geetha an independent woman can bring in greater changes in family as well as in society. She interacted with the tribal farmers and entrepreneurs from Attappady and the District Programme Managers of Kudumbashree who are in charge of Farm Livelihoods. She shared her experiences about bringing such an innovative product to the market and how they marketed the same using conventional marketing techniques and online social media marketing channels such as Facebook and Instagram. She also shared the lessons she learnt after the shut down of the organic restaurant they had run for a few years.

'Punarjeevanam', the  Entrepreneurship Development Series of Kudumbashree was launched. Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala launched the programme and inaugurated the first training of the series via online on 12 August 2024. 

'Punarjeevanam' is the  Entrepreneurship Development Series of Kudumbashree implemented across the state to revive the livelihood opportunities in the agricultural sector. The Minister said. This workshop which is jointly implemented by Kudumbashree and Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) at Attappady of Palakkad is designed entirely on the needs of the trainees to equip the farmers and agri-entrepreneurs of the Kudumbashree to perform better in agriculture, agribusiness and other allied sectors. He added.

Punarjeevanam will bring about a major change in the agricultural livelihood sector by focusing on skill development required at community level in each district and year-long continuous training and support. Punarjeevanam is a revolutionary step of Kudumbashree in the field of agricultural livelihood.

Through this project, enriched sweet potato varieties, their cultivation method and value addition, which is a magical crop with great potential to combat malnutrition in the Attappady region and create new livelihood opportunities in the said region, will be introduced. Along with this, guidelines and seminars on other schemes available in the livelihood sector and procedures for starting enterprises will be organized as part of the three-day workshop. The scheme also envisages follow-up activities such as nutrition gardens, agribusiness schools, agri-input, research and development activities and agricultural study tours for trainees.

Dr. G Baiju, Director, Director, ICAR-CTCRI delivered the keynote address. Dr. G. Suja, Head of the Department, Crop Production Division, ICAR-CTCRI spoke on the topic 'Tuber Crops for Sustainable Livelihoods'. Dr. H Keshav Kumar Senior Scientist, Department of Crop Protection, ICAR-CTCRI spoke about the 'Pest Control in Potato Crops. Whereas, Dr. M.S Sajeev, Principal Scientist, Crop Utilization Division, ICAR-CTCRI talked about the 'Value Addition and Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Tuber Crops' and Dr. P. S Shivakumar, Principal Scientist, Department of Social Science & Extension, ICAR-CTCRI spoke about the 'Lessons from the Rainbow Diet Campaign Project. 

On the second day of the workshop, Ms. Geeta Salish, Entrepreneur, Geetha's Home to Home, Amala Nagar, Thrissur will share her success story during the session 'Women Empowerment through Livelihood-Success Stories of Women Entrepreneurs'. Practical classes will be held on Snack Food Production-Chips using cassava, sweet potato, colocasia and yam. Manufacturing of products such as namkeen, mixture and cookies using powder of potato crops will also be held.

On the third day of the workshop, Ms. Aswathy, Entrepreneur, V One, Tholikkode, Punalur, Kollam will share her success story during the session 'Women Empowerment through Livelihood-Success Stories of Women Entrepreneurs'. Dr. Jisy George, Subject Matter Specialist, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha will speak about the Value Addition of Small Grains/ Banana. Presentation of 5 nutritional products prepared from small grains such as Health Mix, Cookies (Spicy), Cookies (Sweet), Porridge mix and Upma mix.

Shri. K.K Chandradas, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission presided over the function. Dr. G. Baiju, Director, ICAR- CTCRI delivered the keynote address. Dr. S Shanavas, Programme Officer, Farm Livelihood Kudumbashree explained the project. Shri. Manoj B.S, Assistant Project Officer, Attappady Special Project welcomed the gathering and Shri. Akhil Soman, Co-ordinator, Farm Livelihood, Attappady Special Project delivered the vote of thanks.

Ms. Smitha, Chairperson, Kudumbashree Sholayur CDS, Ms. Saraswati Muthukumar, President, Agali Grama Panchayath Samithi, Ms. Tulasi, President, Puthur Grama Panchayat Samiti, Ms. Saleena Shanmugham, President, Sholayur Panchayat Samithi, Ms.Anitha, President, Kurumba Panchayat Samiti and Ms. Usha Kumari, Chairperson, Agali Kudumbashree CDS delivered their felicitations. 

Around 300 people participated in the programme. Saplings of sweet potatoes, biofertilizers and bio capsules were distributed at the programme. The Presidents of various Panchayat Samithis received the saplings on behalf of the participants.  An Exhibition of various tuber crops, its value added products, chinese potato, yam, colocasia, arrowroot, ginger, radish etc was also arranged as part of the programme. 

The three-day training programme being held at Nirvana Holistic Living, Sholayur, Attappady Palakkad will come to an end on 14 August 2024. The project is jointly implemented by the Kudumbashree State Mission and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's flagship organization in tuber research, the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI).