Kudumbashree's 'Gothrashree' Tribal Cafeteria has become the focal point of 'Ente Ooru' Tribal Heritage Village, set up by the State Government at Pookode in Wayanad to give tourists a first-hand experience of tribal culture. The Heritage Village Project aims at introducing the unique heritage, way of life, rituals and arts of the tribal people of the district to the outside world and thereby provide them with a better livelihood. The Heritage Village is set on 25 acres of land in Kunnathidavaka village of Vythiri taluk.

Kudumbashree 'Gothrashree Cafeteria' is run by a group of specially trained tribal youth. There are 12 people in the group, including a young woman. Along with the unique dishes of Wayanad, meals, Vanasundari Special Chicken, various leafy vegetable curries, Puzhukku (dish made of boiled / steamed root vegetables flavored with seasoned coconut paste), Kumbalappam (steamed cone cake) etc are available at the Gothrashree Cafeteria. And in ten days, the Gothrashree entrepreneurs have earned an income of Rs 2.5 lakhs.

In addition to the 'Gothrashree' Cafeteria, there are three other Kudumbashree enterprises in the Heritage Village viz., Gothrashree Agricultural Nursery, Gothrashree Medicinal Nursery, and Gothrashree Food Processing Unit, which manufactures and markets various products such as spices, pickles and coffee powder.

Ms. Anna Shotbolt, British Deputy High Commissioner came to get acquainted with the women empowerment and poverty eradication activities being implemented in the state through Kudumbashree. She visited the Karuna Fitness Centre, a Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise functioning in Kazhakoottam Pallippuram ward of Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala on 7 June 2022. This was her first visit to Kudumbashree, as the British Deputy High Commissioner in charge of Kerala and Karnataka states.

Ms. Anna Shotbolt was accompanied by Mr. Manjunath, Political and Economic Advisor, and Ms. Upasana Srikanth, Inward Investment Advisor. She visited 'Karuna Fitness Centre' with the aim of visiting the well - functioning Kudumbashree enterprise in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation area. Smt. P.I. Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Shri. Jahamgeer.S, Programme Officer, Smt. Priya Paul, Mr. K.B Sudheer, Programme Managers and Smt. Sindhu Sasi, CDS Chairperson received the delegation.

Karuna Fitness Training Centre which functions in the Pallipuram Ward of CDS 1, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is an enterprise launched as part of the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) being implemented by Kudumbashree in the state. The enterprise is run by Smt. Sandhya, Smt. Valsala, Smt. Deepa and Smt. Sajitha, the members of Mahalakshmi NHG.

The British Deputy High Commissioner and his team arrived at the unit and met the Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs and Kudumbashree officials. In the ensuing meeting, Smt. P.I. Sreevidya, Executive Director, Kudumbashree explained the major projects being implemented by Kudumbashree in the state, including the livelihood and social security sectors. Following that, Ms. Anna Shotbolt also spoke with entrepreneurs, Smt. Sindhu Sasi, CDS Chairperson, Smt. Deepa Harinarayanan, Community Organizer, NULM, Smt. Ajitha L, ADS Secretary and Smt. Lekha Kumari, Member Secretary. She asked the entrepreneurs about the method of working of the Fitness Training Centre and what motivated them to start the venture. She also discussed about the role of CDS Chairperson.

Ms. Anna Shotbolt expressed satisfaction with the diversity of the programmes implemented by Kudumbashree in the livelihood sector and the activities of BUDS institutions in the field of social security. She was also impressed by the actions of NHG women, who rallied with a social commitment in surviving the natural disasters and the covid crisis. The socio-economic women empowerment activities, programmes and the activities of Kudumbashree National Resource Organization in other States were also explained to her. She said that the way in which women are democratically elected in the Kudumbashree three-tier organizational system and their progress and visibility in the political and social spheres is really commendable.

Kudumbashree members have united for 'Only One Earth'. They celebrated the World Environment Day on 5 June 2022 with various activities such as tree planting, campaigns, seminars, photo competition with the trees planted as part of the previous Environment Day celebrations, handicrafts making competition with waste materials and environmental clean-up events.

'Only One Earth' is the motto of this year's World Environment Day. Campaigns like 'Haritham Harithabham' (Malappuram), 'Kaval Maram' (Idukki), 'Veettil Oru Cheru Narakam' (Kannur) and 'Oru Thai' (Pathanamthitta) were organized by various District Missions in connection with the Environment Day. NHG members have taken the Environment Day Pledge. Various programmes were planned and implemented focusing on Balasabha, Kudumbashree Auxiliary Groups and Gender Resource Centres.

Kudumbashree members from all across the state were active in textbook distribution. As the children were back to the offline classes at schools after the crisis of Covid-19 pandemic, Kudumbashree members played an important role in ensuring that, the textbooks will reach them on time. Kudumbashree coordinated these activities along with the Education Department and KBPS (Kerala Books and Publications Society).

320 Kudumbashree members and around 30 Kudumbashree family members had took part in the efforts to sort the textbooks and prepared the same for distribution at the text book distribution hub across the state. The officials and staff of the District Mission Offices of Kudumbashree also joined the efforts, for more than two weeks round the clock.

'Kilikootam', the three day summer camp for Balasabha members is being organized at Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), Thrissur from 27-29 May 2022. A total of 45 Balasabha members from across the state joined together at KILA, Thrissur to take part in the 'Kilikootam' summer camp. Shri. E. Santhosh Kumar, Writer inaugurated the three day camp.

Three Balasabha members each were selected from the districts and 3 members from the Balagothra Sabha as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project. The Balasabha members are curiously listening the classes led by the subject experts and shared their ideas. The camp is organized as part of the efforts to empower the Balasabha members socially and academically. Through this camp, Kudumbashree is arranging a creative platform for the Balasabha members to meet and share ideas with eminent personalities in various fields like art, literature, science, environment and society. The summer camp will come to an end on 29 May 2022.

UFC Pottikkal become the winner of the first season of Attappady Tribal Football League. They had defeated FC Anavai in penalty shootout by 5-4. Ms. Mrinmayi Joshi, District Collector, Palakkad distributed the Award comprising of trophy, medal and cash prize of Rs 5000 to the first place winners, at the valedictory function. New Millennium Club came in the second place and received a trophy and a cash award of Rs 3,000. Whereas, Anashwara FC Abbannoor came in the third place and received a cash prize of Rs 2,000. The finals were held at the Agali Panchayat Ground on 25 May 2022.

The tribal youth of Attappady wholeheartedly welcomed the Attappady Tribal Football League. The Football League which was launched as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project being implemented through Kudumbashree at Attappady was started on 23 May 2022. A total of 38 teams took part in the league which gave opportunity to the tribal youth of Attappady to showcase their talents.

Football is a sport that is very popular among the younger generation of Attappady. Although the tribal youth of Attappady have a lot of great sports talent, there is little platform for them to showcase and nurture it. Realizing that, Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project organized football matches under the name of ‘Attappady Tribal Football League’ for the tribal youth with the objective of nurturing the physical abilities of the youth in Attappady and to keep them free from the grip of intoxication and alcoholism. It is for the first time a Football League Competition was organized for the tribal youth of Attappady. The main objective of the activity was to nurture the athletic abilities of the youth, as opportunities like these will help to find the best sports talents through such competitions and to publicize the football prowess of Attappady all over Kerala.

Awards were also given for the Best Player in the Football League, the Best Player in the Final, the Best Goalkeeper, the Best Defender, the player who scored the maximum number of goals and the Emerging Player of the League. Those awards were distributed jointly by the District Collector, Palakkad and the elected representatives. Smt. Maruthi Murugan, President, Attappady Block Panchayath, Presidents and Secretaries of the Panchayath Samithi of Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project and other department officials also took part in the function.

'Venal Paravakal' Summer Camp was organized at Attappady as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project under the leadership of Child Resource Centre for tribal children.

400 Bala Gothrasabha members from various hamlets of three panchayaths took part in the summer camp. The 8 day long Summer Camp was held at  B.R Ambedkar Training Centre, Kakkupadi, Attappady.

The classes were led by Shri.Nikhil, Smt. Josna and Shri. Arun Chandran on topics such as art of communication, leadership and 'Pazhamayude Paatukal' (songs of the olden times).  Elected representatives, Panchayath Committee, office bearers of the Ooru samithi and Kudumbashree members took part in the programme.

The Inauguration programme was held on 9 May 2022. Smt. Chandra Elachuvazhi, President, Puthur Panchayath Samithi inaugurated the camp. Shri. Manoj B.S, Project Officer, Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project was the Chief Guest of the programme. Shri. Binil Kumar welcomed the gathering and Shri.Sudheesh Maruthalam delivered vote of thanks.

'Noorang' Programme has been started at Thirunelly Panchayath of Wayanad district of Kerala. The programme has been started at the Irumbupalam hamlet of Thirunelly Panchayath as part of the Thirunelly Tribal Special Intervention Programme. Tuber varieties were planted at the Irumbupalam hamlet as part of the Noorang programme on 10 May 2022. The tuber cultivation aims at preserving the tuber crops, production and distribution of seeds and giving awareness about tuber crops to the newer generation. The tuber cultivation is being done as part of the Noorang Programme. More than 300 varieties of tuber crops are being cultivated. 

The cultivation is jointly being done by the Kudumbashree farming groups of the Irumbupalam hamlet. Shri. P.V Balakrishnan, Panchayath President inaugurated the programme and Smt. Saumini, CDS Chairperson presided over the function. Smt. Rukkiya, Ward Member welcomed the gathering. Smt. Valsala, Shri. T.C Joseph, Smt. Shafna M.S and Shri. P. J Manuel delivered the felicitations. Shri. Sai Krishan, Coordinator, Thirunelly Tribal Special Intervention Programme delivered the vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree has launched Attappady Tribal Football League to give the tribal youth of Attappady, the opportunity to prove their football skills. The Sevens Football League as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project was kicked off on 23 May 2022. The competitions were held at Panchayath Ground, Agali. The final match will be held on 25 May 2022.

The logo of the league was launched by Shri. M.V. Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala at District Panchayath Hall, Palakkad on 19 May 2022. The Tribal Youth Clubs and the Yuvashree Groups registered in Youth Welfare Board, Scheduled Tribes Department, Local Self Government Institutions and Kudumbashree may take part in the Football League.

Kambalam Festival, the traditional agricultural festival of the tribal people of Attappady has been started at Attappady in glowing colours with traditional dance and music. 4606 women farmers of 1037 farming groups of Attappady are getting ready to retain the agricultural prosperity of their hamlets by cultivating and harvesting food grains such as ragi, little millet, pigeon pea, pulses etc, through the Kambalam festival.

'Kambalam' is being celebrated in selected tribal hamlets as part of the agricultural livelihood activities of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project. The Kambalam will be held till 30 June 2022. The first phase of Kambalam was started at Kallakkara hamlet under the leadership of Sholayur Panchayath Samiti and Kallakkara Ooru Samiti on 20 May 2022. The start as per the tribal rituals. 22 farming groups will do cultivation in 42.5 acres here. Programmes like Ethinic Food Fest, seed swapping, tribal dance etc were also held as part of Kambalam.

Smt. Saleena Shanmugan, President, President, Sholayur Panchayath Samiti, Smt. Praja Narayanan, Secretary, Sholayur Panchayath Samiti and Shri. Manoj Balan, Assistant Project Officer, Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project gave leadership to the celebrations of the Kambalam festival.

Kudumbashree is also conducting a photography competition, including the photos of the Kambalam Festival. First Prize will be Rs. 5,000. Second Prize and Third Prize will be Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 2,000 respectively. 30 June 2022 is the last date for receiving the photos. The photos may be sent to the mail id- kshreeattapadiphotocontest@gmail.com . For more details, contact : 04924 254335.