Bala Parliaments, which are organized to provide an opportunity for children who are members of Kudumbashree Balasabha to understand the importance and scope of the democratic system, are progressing in districts across the state. District-Level Bala Parliaments have been organized in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Alappuzha districts and also as part of the Attappady Special Project implemented by Kudumbashree.

District-Level Bala Parliaments will be completed in the remaining districts in the coming days. Then, the State-Level Bala Parliament will be organized at the Old Legislative Assembly Building in Thiruvananthapuram on 28-30 December 2024. A total of 165 children, including 11 children each elected from the District-Level Bala Parliaments and the Attappady Bala Parliament, will be part of the State-Level Bala Parliament.

Mr. Abhiram Pavithran, a native of Varambur, Palakkode of Malappuram and a fifth-year Integrated MA Student at IIT Chennai, won the first place in the State-Level Essay Writing Competition organized for College Students in March-April 2024 under the auspices of Kudumbashree.

Mr. Alan Antony, a student of the Centre for Professional and Advance Studies at Thottakkad College of Teacher Education, Kottayam, won the second place. Mr. Al Amin. J, a native of Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram and a research student in the Department of Sociology at the School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad, won the third position. The winners will receive cash awards of Rs. 20,000, Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 each, respectively.

Ms. Nandana. M, a third-year B. A. Malayalam student at Nehru Arts and Science College, Kanhangad, Kasaragod, and Ms. Amit Jyothi U.P, a first-year B. A. Economics student at Government Women's College, Thiruvananthapuram, also won consolation prizes of Rs. 5,000 each. All the winners will receive a cash award, a memento and a certificate.

The winners were selected from around seventy entries received as part of the competition. The winners were selected by a jury comprising Ms. R. Parvathy Devi, Former PSC Member, Former Kudumbashree PRO and Media Activist and Shri. N. Jagajeevan, Consultant, Suchitwa Mission and Former Kudumbashree Programme Officer

The 'Dhruva 2024' Project, jointly organized by Kudumbashree and HLL Lifecare, has been launched in Wayanad district. This project aims to empower children to develop their talents, abilities and life skills by giving importance to the sports sector. The project is being implemented as part of the Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree in the local area in Thirunelly and Noolpuzha Grama panchayats of Wayanad district.

50 girls and boys between the ages of 13 and 16, who are part of Bridge Courses & Balasabha, are part of the training programme. The project activities will be carried out on 12 public holidays from 30 November 2024 to 28 December 2024. These include indoor games, theatre activities, group activities, debates and outdoor activities including football.

The inauguration programmes of the project were held in both the panchayats on 30 November 2024. In Thirunelly,  Shri. Arun P. Rajan, State Programme Manager (Social Inclusion),  Kudumbashree presided over the function and Ms. P. Saumini, Chairperson, Thirunelly CDS inaugurated the project. Shri. Jayan Pookode, Member, Kudumbashree Mentor Core Team explained the project. Shri. Vinu, Resource Person, HLL Lifecare Limited and Ms. Shalini Krishna, Assistant Co-ordinator, HLL Lifecare Limited extended their greetings. Shri. Sai Krishnan T.V, Co-ordinator, Special Project welcomed the gathering and Ms. Rajitha, Co-ordinator, Dhruva Camp proposed the vote of thanks.

In Noolpuzha, Shri. Balasubramanian P.K, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Shri. Ameen A, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Ms. Jaya, CDS Chairperson, Ms. Sarika S, State Assistant Programme Manager (Social Inclusion), Kudumbashree, Ms. Namitha, Programme Officer, HLL Lifecare Limited, Ms. Rajeev, Assistant Co-ordinator, HLL Lifecare Limited and Ms. Anjali,  Camp Co-ordinator, Dhruva Camp were part of the inauguration Ceremony.

Through life skill development, the aim is to instill in adolescents the confidence to succeed in life by developing educational thinking, sports resilience, self-confidence and a sense of purpose, and at the same time, to inspire them to overcome challenges and live confidently by utilizing the opportunities and possibilities around them. This project is being implemented in collaboration with Kudumbashree through HLL Management Academy as part of the social commitment of HLL Lifecare Limited.

Haritha Samrudhi Campaign is progressing across the state. Carrots, Cabbage, Radish, Cauliflower etc are grown in Kudumbashree's 'Haritha Samrudhi' Farms. As part of 'Haritha Samrudhi', the Winter Vegetable Farming Campaign of Kudumbashree the cultivation of winter crops including Radish, Cauliflower, Carrots and Cabbage is actively progressing across the state. Along with this, crops like lady's finger, tomato, spinach, lentils (yardlong beans), brinjal and cucumbers are also being cultivated.

68,474 women in 14,977 women farmer groups (Joint Liability Groups-JLGs) in 6037 wards of the state are cultivating on 1981.04 hectares. Haritha Samrudhi also aims to encourage winter vegetable farming at the local level, increase farmers' income and provide nutrition. Farmers will sell their produce directly through Kudumbashree Nattuchantha, Agri Kiosks and Marketing Fairs.

Apart from providing vegetable seedlings through Krishi Bhavans, the farmers are also being provided with necessary training at various stages from planting to harvesting in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR - CTCRI). 5631 training programmes have already been organized in 152 blocks. The Agriculture also has co-operation from the Employment Guarantee Scheme.

'Desi Dhamaka', the Mandalakala Marketing Fair, is in progress at Kudumbashree's Premium Cafe in Pathanamthitta district. The vegetarian food fair and the marketing fair of Kudumbashree products, as part of Desi Dhamaka, began on 27 November 2024 at the Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant in Kulanad of Pandalam. The fair will continue until 6 December 2024.

The Premium Cafe is situated opposite to the Valiya Koikkal Temple at Pandalam. Therefore, with the start of Mandalakala, devotees also come to the cafe in large numbers. Another attraction is that the Premium Cafe also has rooms for accommodation. Along with the food fair, which provides a variety of delicious vegetarian dishes, a marketing fair has been organized in which about twenty Kudumbashree entrepreneurs from different parts of the district are participating. Various handicrafts including elephant caparison (nettipattam), masala powders, chips and pickles are available at the marketing fair.

The fair was inaugurated by Shri. Premkrishnan S. IAS, District Collector, Pathanamthitta. Shri. Jiji Mathew, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee, Pathanamthitta District Panchayat presided over the function. Shri. R. Ajayakumar, Chairman, Health Standing Committee, Pathanamthitta District Panchayat delivered the keynote address. Ms. Aadila S, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission welcomed the gathering. Shri. Ajith Kumar. R (Vice Chairman, District Panchayat Planning Committee), Shri. Pradeep K.S (Regional Manager, Horticorp), Shri. Abdul Bari (Officer, Women and Child Development), Ms. Ayini Santosh (Chairperson, Kulanada CDS ), Ms. Anu Gopi (District Programme Manager, Marketing) spoke at the function. People's Representatives and Kudumbasree members and others also attended the event.

Visit Cafe Kudumbasree Premium Restaurant - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zM42p7qY298p9jX78

Highly productive sweet potatoes will now be grown in the farms of the indigenous people of Attappady, who traditionally cultivate sweet potatoes and make them a part of their diet. The Agriculture Division of Kudumbashree has provided this golden opportunity through the remarkable project 'Punarjeevanam', an agricultural entrepreneurship training series in association with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR - CTCRI). As part of the second phase of the project in Attappady, seeds and planting materials have been distributed to 40 Kudumbashree farmers selected from the Panchayat Samiti of Agali, Puthur, Kurumba and Sholayur.

At a function organized in Agali on 29 November 2024, about two tonnes of enriched high-yielding sweet potato varieties, about 2.5 lakh planting materials, organic fertilizers and organic pesticides required for extensive cultivation were distributed. This activity is a continuation of the three-day training series conducted in connection with the state-level inauguration of the Punarjeevanam project in August.

Kudumbashree aims to address nutritional deficiencies among the indigenous population of Attappady by cultivating enriched sweet potatoes extensively and developing a diet based on it and to ensure economic security by creating new enterprises through value addition of the surplus sweet potatoes. Dr. S. Shanavas, Programme Officer, Farm Livelihood, Kudumbashree    inaugurated the function presided over by Shri. B.S. Manoj, Assistant Project Officer, Attappady Special Project implemented by Kudumbashree. Dr. Pradeepika, Dr. Sangeetha, Scientists from the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute trained the farmers on sweet potato cultivation methods, organic fertilizers and organic pesticides.

Ms. Anitha (President, Kurumba Panchayat Samiti), Ms. Selina (President, Sholayur Panchayat Samiti), Ms. Tulasi (President, Puthur Panchayat Samiti), and Ms. Resi (Secretary, Agali Panchayat Samiti) welcomed the farmers and received planting materials. Shri. Akhil Soman (Farm Livelihood Co-ordinator, Attappady Special Project) welcomed the gathering and Shri. Aliyar (Co-ordinator, Farm Livelihood Project) delivered the vote of thanks. Farmers, Animators, Community Resource Persons, and Kudumbashree employees participated in the programme.

Through the next phase of the Punarjeevanam project, Kudumbashree aims to distribute planting materials, agricultural equipment and machinery for other tuber crops that have high reproductive potential and are rich in nutrients, developed by the Central Tuber Research Centre.

Applications are invited from agencies to provide designers, photographers, videographers and video editors to prepare photos, videos, banners, posters, flyers, notices, pamphlets, cutouts, coupons, reels, trailers, short videos, live streaming, audio podcasts, etc. in a timely manner for the promotion of various programmes in connection with the National Saras Mela to be held in Chengannur, Alappuzha from 20 to 31 January 2025 jointly organized by Kudumbashree and National Rural Livelihood Mission.

Preference will be given to those with work experience in the field related to the promotion of Government and Quasi-Government National and International Programmes. (References can be included in the application). The period will be from 10 December 2024 to 31 January 2025.

Interested agencies should submit applications with details to the District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree District Mission, Thiruvambady P.O, Valiyakulam Junction, Alissery Ward, Alappuzha District, Pin Code-688 001, before 3 PM on 3 December 2024.

For more information - 9020651322, 8848126628.
www.kudumbashree.org/saras2025

Kudumbashree won three awards at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) organized at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 14 to 27 November 2024. Cafe Kudumbashree Food Court, which represented Kerala in the State Food Court organized as part of IITF, won the first position. Kudumbashree units also achieved a turnover of Rs. 52,83,854 through IITF, Saras Mela and Food Court organization.

Karthika Chips Unit of Thiruvananthapuram district won the first position for Kudumbashree in the food sector, leaving behind all other states in the Aajeevika SARAS Mela organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development along with IITF. Also, Mr. Shobhu Narayanan, District Programme Manager (Marketing), Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission was also selected as the Second Best State Co-ordinator at the fair.

The Andhra Pradesh Mahila Abhivriddhi Society (APMAS) Award for the Best Initiative at the National Level among the Initiatives supported by the Federation of Self Help Groups (CDS) was received by the members of Kudumbashree's Samrudhi & Blossom Amrutham Nutrimix Unit. The initiative is located in Vizhinjam under the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Kudumbashree CDS 4.

Shri. C.S. Reddy, CEO & Managing Director, APMAS along with other representatives presented the award to Samrudhi & Blossom Unit at a function organized in Hyderabad on 22 November 2024. The award consists of a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh, a trophy and a certificate. Ten members, namely Ms. Prameela (President), Ms. Sindhu. L, Ms. Betty, Ms. Suni M, Ms. Shanthi, Ms. Valsala, Ms. Sona, Ms. Brijith, Ms. Clery and Ms. Ambili, received the award on behalf of the unit.

Kudumbashree is organizing 'Sargam 2024'- State Level Story Writing Competition (Malayalam) to develop the creative potential of Kudumbashree Women and to raise them to the art and literary sectors. Cash prizes of Rs. 20,000, Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners respectively. In addition, three winners will be given consolation prizes of Rs. 2500 each. Winners will be given a memento and certificate along with cash award. The 40 people who submit the best stories will also have the opportunity to participate in a Three-Day Literary Workshop organized by Kudumbashree.

The award winners will be selected by a jury consisting of prominent literary figures. 40 people who send the best writings also have the opportunity to participate in the three-day literary camp 'Sargam-2023' organized by Kudumbashree. 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 to the following address by 5 PM on 24 December 2024. Public Relations Officer, 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/sargam2024