Kudumbashree's Local Food Shop has started functioning at the National Cadet Core (NCC) Group Headquarters in Kozhikode on 24 February 2022. Shri. E. Govind, Commander Brigadier, NCC Group Headquarters officially inaugurated the food shop. It is notable that Kudumbashree received such an opportunity in a Defensive Service Institution.

The Food Shop would be run by the five members of 'Rasoyi', the enterprise that function under Kozhikode Corporation North CDS. The entrepreneurs need not give rent for the building. Plates, utensils and stove etc were given to the entrepreneurs as free of cost. The groceries needed to the food shop could be brought from the NCC Canteen at lower rates. One month time is also given for paying the cost of the groceries bought. The Food Shop need not give the food to the staff at lower rates. They will also regularly receive big orders to prepare food for the children and others who come for attending NCC camps.

Shri. P. Divakaran, Welfare Committee Chairman, Kozhikode Corporation presided over the function. Shri. T. K Prakashan, Kudumbashree Project Officer, Smt. Yamuna, Vice Chairperson, Kudumbashree North CDS, Smt. Bincy E.K, Shri. Nikhil Chandran and Shri. Jaison T.J, City Mission Managers, NULM also took part in the function.

Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise, Government of Kerala made an online interaction with the newly elected office bearers of Kudumbashree three tier system who have taken charge on 23 February 2022. He said that Kudumbashree should be able to become the centre of entrepreneurial activities, associating with Local Self Government Institutions. He also added that the newly elected office bearers holds the huge responsibility of making the programmes being implemented through Kudumbashree in the state for women empowerment and poverty eradication, a great success.

He added that during this time Kudumbashree election was organized ensuring a fixed percentage of reservation for the BPL, SC and ST communities for giving the deserving importance to the sidelined communities in the society and through this it was able to ensure a fixed representation from those section in the three tier system of Kudumbashree. He wished that the newly elected office bearers be able to make a great progress in front of the world by taking up various programmes, acquiring the knowledge on technology and turn it into huge success.

Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala presided over the function. Smt. P. I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree delivered the welcome speech and Smt. Anu R. S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree extended vote of thanks.

The elections to identify the office bearers of the three tier system of Kudumbashree in all districts has been completed. As the covid-19 cases had risen, the elections at Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad districts were postponed and the same were completed on 18 February 2022. These office bearers took charge on 21 February 2022.

The elections at Kollam, Kottayam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts were completed in January itself and the Governing Committee had taken the charge as well.  Out of the 1070 CDSs, elections were completed at 1069 CDSs. The election is yet to be completed at Edamalakudy CDS of Idukki district. The election at Edamalakudy is postponed due to the spread of covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 16,55,263 women including the elected members of the 733 NHGs, 133 Ooru Samithis and 4 Panchayath Samithis, which were formed as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project, will become the office bearers of the three tier system of Kudumbashree.  

14,16,675 office bearers were identified in the NHG level and 2,14,005 office bearers were identified in the ADS level. Whereas in CDS level 19,453 office bearers were identified including 1069 Chairpersons and 1069 Vice Chairpersons. In the elections held at NHGs and Oorusamithis of Attappady, 5128 women have taken charge through the election.

Kudumbashree is organizing 'Sargam 2022'- State Level Story Writing Competition (Malayalam) to develop the creative skills of Kudumbashree Women and raise them to the art and literary sectors. Cash Award of Rs. 15,000, Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 5,000 will be given as First Prize, Second Prize and Third Prize respectively along with memento and certificates.

If the jury finds any entries worthy of the consolation prizes, five such entries would be given Rs 1000 each and trophies as Consolation Prize. The jury consisting of renowned personalities from the literary sector would identify the winners. Also, 40 persons who will send the best stories will get an opportunity to take part in the 'Sargam 2022 Literary Camp' which is proposed to be held at Thrissur on 23,24,25 March 2022.

The last date for sending in the applications is 10 March 2022. The entries may be sent as post/courier to The Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree State Poverty Eradication Mission, 2nd Floor, Trida Rehabilitation Building, Medical College P.O, Thiruvananthapuram - 695011. The name of the participant, address, phone number and affidavit of the CDS Chairperson to prove the Kudumbashree membership of the participant should be attached along with the entry. The entries received through email, WhatsApp will not be considered for the competition.

To know more about the competition, visit : www.kudumbashree.org/sargam2022

A few DDU-GKY beneficiaries have successfully completed the Airline Customer Service Executive Course and had secured placements as part of the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY), the free skill training programme of Central-State Governments is being implemented in Kerala through Kudumbashree.

The 70 students who have completed the course in two batches through the Love Green Association, the Project Implementing Agency (PIA) of Kudumbashree's DDU-GKY Project headquartered at Kalpetta of Wayanad district of Kerala had achieved success by scoring well at the Assessment of the Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC). Out of them, 44 students had secured placements as well. They had secured placements at Air India SATS, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi Airports, Ground Globe India, SpeedWings Services in various posts such as Cargo, Ramp, Security Agent etc.

Free skill training as part of DDUGKY is extended to the rural youth between 18 and 35 years of age. The age limit for women, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and the disabled are 45 years. Training can be availed in various sectors such as Tourism and Hospitality, Electronics, Health Care, Capital, Logistics etc. Those who are interested to know more about the DDU-GKY courses, may contact the respective Kudumbashree District Mission offices.

Kudumbashree is inviting logo for the Saras Mela 2022, the national level product marketing fair, which is proposed to be held under the leadership of Kudumbashree, at Thiruvananthapuram from 28 March 2022 till 10 April 2022. Rs. 5000 will be given as cash prize for the selected logo.

The logo should reflect the social and cultural originality of Thiruvananthapuram and the intervention of Kudumbashree in the women empowerment sector. The logos are to be sent to the email id- tvmsaras2022@gmail.com. 28 February 2022 is the last date for sending the logos. The original work file of the logo should be sent on demand. Kudumbashree would hold the full authority to use the logo.

The Saras Fair would be held at Palace Ground, Kanakakunnu, Thiruvananthapuram. The Saras Fairs are organized jointly by the Central- State Governments as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), where the products of the entrepreneurs across the country is brought together for marketing. In addition to that 'India Food Court' would also be arranged as part of the Fair, where the cuisines from various states would be available. To know more details about the competition, contact: 0471 2447552.

From now onwards, more benefits would be given on the insurance coverage for Kudumbashree NHG members. Kudumbashree is implementing the Insurance Programme for the NHG members in association with the State Insurance Department and the Life Insurance Corporation. Now, one more benefit is added in the 'Jeevan Deepam Oruma' Group Insurance Programme for the NHG members for the 2022-23 financial year. Coverage of Rs 25,000 would be received as benefit for the permanent disability caused due to accidents.

The beneficiaries of the 'Jeevan Deepam' Group Insurance Programme for the the 2021-22 financial year, who are between 18 and 75 years of age can become part of the Insurance Programme for the 2022-23 financial year. Those who are interested in becoming part of this Insurance Programme can make their registrations and the date for making their registrations will be informed later.

Rs. 345 is the Insurance Premium Amount. If the members between 18-50 years of age expire, they will get death coverage of Rs 2 lakhs and if those between 51 - 59 years of age expire, they will get Rs. 1 lakh death coverage. Those between 60-65 years of age will get Rs. 20,000 death coverage and if members between 66-70 years of age die, they will get death coverage of Rs. 15,000. If members between 71 - 75 years of age expire, they will get Rs. 10,000 as death coverage of the Insurance. If accident death is occurred coverage of Rs. 50,000 will also be given.

The CDS Elections of the Kudumbashree Three Tier System in 8 districts which were postponed due to the restrictions imposed following the spread of covid-19 pandemic, is being held on 18 February 2022. The selected CDS Governing Committee would take charge on 21 February 2022. The CDS elections at Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Wayanad and Palakkad districts, which were postponed would be held on cluster basis, strictly following the covid protocols. The NHG, ADS elections in these districts had already been completed.

The CDS Elections were supposed to be completed on 25 January 2022 and the new CDS Governing Committee was to take charge on 26 January 2022. But when the spread of the covid-19 pandemic increased the districts were divided into A, B and C categories and restrictions were imposed. Following that the CDS elections were postponed. The CDS elections in 6 districts- Kollam, Kottayam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod, which were not included in B and C categories were completed as per the plan, following the covid protocols.

Kudumbashree is extending the opportunity to avail free skill training as part of Jal Jeevan Mission. Jal Jeevan Mission is the project being implemented to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural areas. Now the opportunity of availing free skill training is being extended to Kudumbashree members or their family members to become part of the Jal Jeevan Mission activities.

The skill training is being extended by association with the State Water Authority and Kerala Academy for Skill Excellence (KASE). The skill training will be extended based on a clear syllabus which would equip them to take up the work in four sectors such as plumber, pipe fitter, mason and electrician works. It is envisaged to extend 10 days skill training to about 1000 persons. The training centres would be Kerala Academy for Skill Excellence Centres and Government ITIs. The Water Authority will give Special License to those who have successfully completed the training. Those who successfully complete the training will get the opportunity to give drinking water pipe connection, construction activities, renovation works and maintenance and repair works as part of Jal Jeevan Mission. Those Kudumbashree members who are interested in becoming part of the free skill training being extended as part of Jal Jeevan Mission may contact the respective CDSs or District Mission offices.

The members of the Multi Task Team of Kudumbashree (ARISE) had taken up and implemented various works such as giving pipe connection at Wayanad, Kasaragod, Kottayam, Idukki and Thrissur districts as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission. Kudumbashree had also received the opportunity to function as the Implementing Support Agency that extends help the Project Implementing Agencies of Jal Jeevan Mission at 258 panchayaths. 162 persons from 10 districts were extended one week long first phase training.

'Amrutham Nutrimix' of Kudumbashree has bagged the Glenmark Nutrition Award for 2022. The Glenmark Nutrition Award is organized in partnership with the World Food Programme of the United Nations. The award is given for taking up and implementing programmes and activities for undertaking exceptional efforts through their health initiatives or programs to reduce the impact of malnutrition in society irrespective of rural and urban areas.

Kudumbashree has succeeded in producing and distributing the 'Amrutham Nutrimix', the nutrition food which is being given to the children of 6 months to 3 years of age, at the Anganawadis in the state. By effectively implementing the same, Kudumbashree was able to ensure best nutrition for more than 5 lakh children in the state. This International Award was given to Kudumbashree for the same. The Award includes a cash award of Rs 1 lakh and certificate.

A total of 241 units under Kudumbashree are producing and distributing 'Amrutham Nutrimix'. There is a production of 18000 metric ton every year. Fortification for increasing the nutrition value of the Nutrimix and the Grading to increase the performance and efficiency of the units was also done. This programme is being implemented in Kerala through Kudumbashree as per the 'Take Home Ration Strategy' (THRS) of the Central Government, associating with the Women and Child Development Department, Local Self Government Department and the Food Corporation of India. Mr. Sheryl Pinto, Director, Glenmark Pharmaceutical and Glenmark Foundation announced the award at the 'RISE World Summit 2022', which was held online on 5 February 2022.

The objective of the Award is to support institutions and organizations who have worked on the lines of Innovation, Impact, Inspiration and Collaboration in improving the dietary diversity among women and children, adolescent girls and vulnerable groups from the communities, using innovative strategies for implementation and adoption. The Awards were given in three categories viz., Urban NGOs, Rural NGOs and Open Category. Kudumbashree has bagged the Award in the Open Category. The production and distribution of Amrutham Nutrimix was ensured under the leadership of Kudumbashree amidst the covid lockdown periods without any fail.