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.

A Two-Day National Workshop on 'Innovative Approaches Towards Urban Poverty Alleviation' was held at Ernakulam on 23 & 24 June 2023. Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Two-Day National Workshop and delivered the keynote address at Adlux Convention Centre, Angamaly, Ernakulam on 23 June 2023. The Minister said that this National Workshop would give a proper direction and new inspiration for NULM when we are going ahead. The Minister said that DAY-NULM in Kerala has been able to reach out to the significant section of urban poor. The state maintained consistency in the performance of implementing NULM. Kerala has been maintaining very good performance in SPARK Ranking for the last 6 years. He added.

Shri Rahul Kapoor, Joint Secretary & Mission Director, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission & PM SVANidhi made a presentation on 'DAY-NULM with a focus on NULM and way forward'. He said that we were waiting expectantly for what is going to be the future of NULM. He added that NULM and PM SVANidhi are two of the schemes that focus on the social aspect of urban areas under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, that look at the softer elements or softer aspects of improving the lives of the people, especially the vulnerable and directly connecting with them. NULM has its own shades of success and challenges and there is still scope of improvement. A collaborative approach of Government, Industry, Civil Society and Knowledge Partners is needed to address these challenges. So as we move forward to the closure of NULM 1.0, and as we think of the way this mission needs to be redesigned or restructured or the way we look at urban poverty alleviation is that probably we should look at things from a newer level. He added.

Ms. Sarada Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala made a presentation on 'Poverty Eradication & Women'. Ms. Anu Kumari, Executive Director (In-Charge), Kudumbashree and Shri. Sajith Sukumaran, COO, Kudumbashree NRO jointly made a presentation on 'Envisioning Kudumbashree as an Urban NRO'.

The states which have received SPARK Award for the Best Implementation of NULM were felicitated at the function. The SPARK Awards for the financial year 2021-22 (1st Rank-Andhra Pradesh, 2nd Rank-Kerala, 3rd Rank-Tamil Nadu) and NER & Himalayan States for the financial year 2021-22 (1st Rank-Mizoram,2nd Rank-Himachal Pradesh, 3rd Rank-Uttarakhand) and the SPARK Awards for the financial year 2022-23 (1st Rank-Gujarat, 2nd Rank-Kerala, 3rd Rank-Uttarakhand) and NER & Himalayan States for the financial year 2022-23 (1st Rank-Mizoram, 2nd Rank-Himachal Pradesh, 3rd Rank-Tripura) were also given away at the function.

'Compendium of 50 Case Studies of Urban Micro Enterprises' was launched at the function. U- Learn 2.0 (Urban Livelihood e-Learning and Resource Network) application, an e-learning initiative with the objective of building capacities of DAY-NULM was also launched. A short film on DAY-NULM was also screened at the function. 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. 

The National Workshop was jointly organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India and Kudumbashree.The objective of the National Workshop was to provide a robust platform for cross learning, i.e., to help to know and understand the Best Practices of the States and Union Territories implementing NULM, including Kerala. The National Workshop provided an opportunity to understand each other's challenges, field-level realities and complexities associated with implementing poverty eradication programmes in urban areas in each state and union territory.

There were Technical Sessions on the topics such as Infrastructure Development - Building a Path to Prosperity, Fostering Inclusive Urban Livelihoods: Building Bridges for All, Empowering Livelihoods through Technology, International Best Practices in Urban Poverty Reduction and Convergence for Inclusive Urban Livelihoods. 

During the Inaugural Session, Ms. Anu Kumari, Executive Director (In-Charge), Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Shri Rahul Kapoor, Joint Secretary & Mission Director, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission & PM SVANidhi, Ms. Sarada Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala, Dr Madhu Rani Teotia, Director, DAY- NULM, Ms. Shalini Pandey, Director, PM SVANidhi, Shri. M. Krishnadas, Chairman, Guruvayur Municipality and Chairman, Kerala Municipal Chairman's Chamber were present at the function. 

The two-day workshop was  attended by Mission Directors from the States where NULM is implemented and other officials. Theme stalls and product stalls were also set up as part of the programme. On the second day of the workshop, field visits were arranged to Guruvayoor Municipality, Kunnamkulam Municipality, Kochi Metro, Water Metro and Thrissur Corporation to learn the Best Practices of NULM in Kerala.

The team including Shri. Rahul Kapoor, Joint Secretary & Mission Director, DAY-NULM,  Dr Madhu Rani Teotia, Director, DAY- NULM, Ms. Shalini Pandey, Director, PM SVANidhi and other officials from the Ministry visited Kudumbashree Initiative for Business Solutions-KIBS at Kochi Metro & Water Metro. The team also paid a visit to Samridhi Hotel at Kochi Corporation run by Kudumbashree which serves affordable meals at Rs.10. The team made interactions with Shri. Loknath Behra, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd and Kudumbashree NHG members. 

Whereas the officials from other states visited the CLF activities and Convergences with the Urban Local Bodies at Thrissur Corporation and Women's Food Court, Thrissur, Harithakarmasena- Women Enterprises in Waste Management at Kunnamkulam Municipality, City Livelihood Centre through convergence with ULB and Tourism Department at Guruvayoor Municipality, Kudumbashree Premium Food Court.

Dr Madhu Rani Teotia, Director, DAY- NULM & Ms. Anu Kumari IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree delivered vote of thanks on behalf of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Kudumbashree respectively. As a token of gratitude, the delegates were given 'Rain Makers' made by Tribal NHGs of Kudumbashree out of Bamboo.

Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission launched 'Manjalu Gramam' (Turmeric Village) at Thirunelly. Kudumbashree is giving new life to Kerala's own Wayanad Turmeric, which is in high demand in the world market, through Thirunelly Tribal Comprehensive Project. The 'Manjalu Gramam' project is being implemented in Thirunelly Panchayat under the leadership of Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission with the aim of providing an income source for the tribal women of the region. The project is being implemented under the auspices of Thirunelly Vandan Vikas Kendra, Thirunelly Tribal Comprehensive Development Project and Thirunelly Panchayath Kudumbashree CDS. As part of the project, turmeric will be cultivated in at least one acre of land in every ward of the panchayath. Thus Wayanad Turmeric cultivation is ensured in 15 acres of land.

 Ms. C. T  Valsala Kumari, Vice President, Thirunelly Panchayath  at a function organized at Chelur Nethaji Colony. Ms. Saumini. P, CDS Chairperson, Thirunelly Panchayath presided over the function and Shri. Balasubrahmanyan P. K. District  Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission delivered the keynote address. Shri. Sai Krishnan T. V, Project Coordinator,  Thirunelly Tribal Comprehensive Development welcomed the gathering and Ms. Rejina V.K, Ms. Saleena K.M, Assistant District Mission Coordinators, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission delivered their felicitations. Ms. Rukkiya Sainuddin, Chairperson, Panchayath Welfare Standing Committee, Shri. Yedu Krishnan, Assistant Coordinator, Thirunelly Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Farming Group members and NHG members also participated in the function.