The grading of 1095 Janakeeya Hotels has been completed. Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala made the official announcement regarding the completion of the grading of the Janakeeya Hotels on 9 September 2021. Out of the 1095 Janakeeya Hotels, 266 Janakeeya Hotels have secured A plus grade and 359 Janakeeya Hotels have secured A grade. Whereas 285 Janakeeya Hotels have secured B grade and 185 Janakeeya Hotels have secured C grade.The grading process has been completed based on a special index. The grading of the Janakeeya Hotels aims at improving the performance and quality of the Janakeeya Hotels and to elevate them to the next level. Janakeeya Hotels has been launched as part of the 'Hunger Free Kerala' Programme of the Government of Kerala. 

Rs 23.64 crores has been allotted for the Janakeeya Hotel Programme during the 2020-21 financial year and the same has been fully utilized. Rs 20 crores has been allotted for this year and out of which Rs 18.20 crores had already been given as subsidy and revolving fund to the entrepreneurs. The Grading Index was prepared in association with the Institute of Hotel Management and Technology. The grading was completed based on the criteria such as hygiene, variety of the dishes, quality of the food, working time, monthly sales and condition of the building and surroundings where the Janakeeya Hotel functions. Kudumbashree would extend the support including training and financial aid to those entrepreneurs who failed to attain better grades. 

The Janakeeya Hotels are functioning in the micro enterprise model of Kudumbashree. An average of 1.80 lakh meals are being sold through Janakeeya Hotels everyday. Kudumbashree aims at improving their functioning and extending the Janakeeya Hotels to more areas that would be of help to the public, based on the local opportunities. Through this, many women who are working in the canteen-catering sector would be able to enter into this sector and earn a better income of their own. 

'Huger Free Kerala' was the programme presented by the Government of Kerala in the Budget during the 2019-20 financial year. The programme aimed at distributing food at affordable rates or at free of cost to the financially backward people, destitute and the geriatrics, on a daily basis. In the first stage, it was started as 'Community Kitchen' to ensure the availability of food to all, as part of the covid-19 countering activities. Following that, the name of the Community Kitchens were changed to 'Kudumbashree Janakeeya Hotels' across the state. The Janakeeya Hotels function associating with the Local Self Government Institutions and the Food and Civil Supplies Department of the Government of Kerala. Meals are available at the Janakeeya Hotels at Rs 20 per meal. Through this programme, 4895 Kudumbashree members are able to earn a regular income of their own.

In the background of the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in the state, Government of Kerala would provide financial support of Rs 196.22 crores to 19,489 Kudumbashree Area Development Societies (ADSs) in the state and 133 Oorusamithis of Attappady. Rs 1 lakh each would be given to them as Revolving Fund. Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala inaugurated the programme as online on 8 September 2021. Shri. M. V Govindan Master presided over the function.

Government Order has been issued for providing Rs 196.22 crores to Kudumbashree regarding the same. The programme is being implemented by including the same in the '100 Day Programme' of the Government of Kerala. The programme aims at extending support to the NHGs, who had been facing various challenges such as health issues and income loss due to the covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown. Special criteria had been issued to identify the eligible NHGs to provide the Revolving Fund. As per this, the ADSs would submit the proposals to the respective CDSs regarding the identification of the NHGs and the nomination on how much amount is needed to be issued as Revolving Fund. The Revolving Fund of Rs 1 lakh each received by the ADSs would be helpful for the internal lending of the NHGs. As many NHGs in the state would benefit from this. As per the programme, the respective ADSs would provide the Revolving Fund to the NHGs. Considering the efficiency and the promptness of the NHGs in repayment of the loans, the ADSs would give Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 to the NHGs. The ADSs holds the responsibility to ensure that this fund is only used for the internal lending activities.

Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala delivered the welcome speech and Smt. P.I Sreevidya, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission extended the vote of thanks. Following the state level inauguration, the fund distribution inauguration was also held at Panavoor CDS of Thiruvananthapuram district and Pariyaram CDS of Kannur district. Shri D.K Murali, MLA, Vamanapuram Constituency handed over the cheque to the Panavoor CDS Chairperson and Adv.K.K. Retnakumari, Chairperson, Health and Education Standing Committee, District Panchayath, Kannur handed over the cheque to the Pariyaram CDS Chairperson.

The last date of Kudumbashree 'Onam Utsav', the online Trade Fair,  being conducted through www.kudumbashreebazaar.com, the e-commerce portal of Kudumbashree is extended till 15 September 2021. 'Onam Utsav' was launched to extend maximum support to Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs and farming group members (JLG) to make maximum out of the onam market.

Various offers are introduced in the 'Onam Utsav' online trade fair. Discounts are given upto 40% as part of the 'Onam Utsav'. Those who purchase for more than Rs 1000 would get an additional discount of 10% as well. The products would be delivered free of cost all across the country, associating with the Postal Department. There are attractive combo offers as well. Food products, apparels, cosmetic products, masala powders, bags, umbrellas, spices, toiletries, honey, ragi, millet, cardamom, coffee etc from tribal sectors are also available. The customers can buy around 1000 products from this online trade fair. The customers would get the opportunity to buy the organic, pure and ethnic products produced by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs, with greater discounts from anywhere across the country through this online trade fair.

Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission started online sessions on Covid-19 awareness through the Gender Online School, which was launched as part of the Gender Self Learning Activities during the lockdown. The videos are prepared as part of the 'Mission Covid 2021' Campaign implemented by Kudumbashree. The online sessions are dealt on various topics such as the points the NHGs should note during covid-19 pandemic, vaccination, home quarantine, the points enterprise units should note during the covid countering activities, how to prevent other contagious diseases along with covid-19, the points pregnant women should take care of during the time of covid, who would be there to support the public during the time of emergencies, duties and responsibilities of CDS Resource Persons etc. The classes are dealt by the Resource Persons of Kudumbashree in the district. The 'Gender Online School' has around  10,000 subscribers. 

The Gender Online School was formulated and implemented for the smooth functioning of the gender activities in the district, even during lockdown, without any interruption. Thrissur team had launched an ‘Online School' through YouTube as part of the ‘Gender Self Learning Programme’, which was formulated to make the NHG members aware of their situation, social status and rights. Continuous trainings and NHG level discussions as part of the Gender Self Learning Activities  in the district were also telecasted  through the 'Gender Online School', YouTube channel. The Gender Resource Persons lead the class through the YouTube channel on the basis of module prepared by the district team.  Each classes were taken based on the module prepared by the district team. This module included  theory as well as life experiences of the Resource Persons and NHG members. The sessions were prepared after analyzing the existing gender gap in each areas. These classes were used for creating Gender awareness among the NHG members. 

After preparing the scripts of each video, the Gender Resource Persons themselves shot the videos. These videos are then uploaded in the YouTube channel. The YouTube links of the videos are shared through the WhatsApp groups of the NHGs. The response of each NHGs towards the video is received as WhatsApp messages and YouTube comments. The district team who came forward with such a novel idea for continuing the activities even during lockdown without any interruption, is making use of this opportunity to spread the awareness on how to prevent the covid-19 pandemic.

The date for submitting entries for 'Kudumbashree oru Nerchithram' Season 4- Photography Competition is extended till 15 September 2021. Kudumbashree Mission has launched the Season 4 of ‘Kudumbashree or Nerchithram’ Photography Competition for motivating the aspiring photographers and to propagate the activities of Kudumbashree Mission through photographs.

The contestants may submit photographs that would reflect the priority projects of Kudumbashree Mission. The photographs should reflect the activities of Kudumbashree such as, Kudumbashree Neighbourhood Group meetings, various enterprises run by Kudumbashree women including Kudumbashree canteens and cafes, the farming activities of Kudumbashree women, the parking management of Kudumbashree women at railway stations and various other spots, the waiting halls managed by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs, housekeeping services and the activities of the BUDS institutions etc.

The jury, composed of renowned photographers and officials of Kudumbashree Mission will select the winner. The Award for the Best Photographer will be Rs 25,000. The second prize and third prize will be Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Rs 2000 each will be issued for 10 entries as consolation prizes.

Entries may be sent to the mail id, kudumbashreeprcontest@gmail.com or may be sent in CD Format to the address, The Executive Director, Kudumbashree State Mission Office, Trida Building, Medical college P.O, Thiruvananthapuram-695011. The name, address, mail id and contact number should be mentioned along with. A short note on the photograph should be attached along with. The photographs should not contain any watermarks. More details of the notification is available in the link : www.kudumbashree.org/photography2021.

The first season of ‘Kudumbashree or Nerchithram’ was conducted during November- December 2017, the second season during February -March 2019 and the third season was held during January- February 2020. The three seasons of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram' Photography Competition resulted in a huge success. Good quality photographs portraying the strength of Kudumbashree, functioning focusing on women empowerment is considered for the ‘Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition, which is being conducted from 2017 onwards. Kudumbashree Mission which envisions eradicating poverty through women in Kerala had successfully completed 23 revolutionary years.

Through Onam Trade Fairs and Onam Markets, Kudumbashree had made better marketing opportunities for Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and farming group members during this onam season amidst the challenges caused by covid-19. A sales of Rs 12.45 crores was recorded through these trade fairs and markets, which were organized wherever possible in the state level, LSGI level and district levels maintaining the covid protocols. The trade fairs and onam markets were started from 16 August 2021 onwards.

Kudumbashree had organized onam trade fairs on its own and converging with Supplyco, Agriculture Department and various other departments as well. Such trade fairs were organized in the LSGI level and district level. A total of 905 onam trade fairs were organized in the LSGI level under the leadership of the respective CDSs. In addition, 21 district level trade fairs were also organized. Products of 19,704 entrepreneurs and vegetables of 16,434 farming groups (Joint Liability Group-JLG) were made available to the public as part of the onam trade fairs. Food kits comprising of Kudumbashree products were packed and delivered to the needy as per the order in 9 CDSs of Malappuram and Kollam districts. 2429 food kits were distributed. Kudumbashree was able to make a sales of Rs 9,64,29,930 through kits and trade fairs. 

In addition, the products of the JLGs were also given importance. Onam Markets were organized in the CDS level from 16-20 August 2021 and sales of Rs 2,80,61,461.4 were also recorded. 7.53 lakh kg vegetables of 27,442 JLGs were made available to the general public through these markets. Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs and JLG members were make maximum out of this opportunity, during this crisis period.

Kudumbashree is to implement Pravasi Bhadratha Programme- PEARL (Pravasi Entrepreneurship Augmentation and Reformation of Livelihoods), joining hands with NORKA Roots. Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Pravasi Bhadratha Programmes at Symphony Hall, Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram on 26 August 2021. The MoU regarding the same was exchanged by Smt. P.I Sreevidya, Executive Director, Kudumbashree and Shri. K. Harikrishnan Namboothiri, Chief Executive Officer, NORKA Roots.

Shri. P. Rajeev, Minister for Law, Industries and Coir, Government of Kerala presided over the function. Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Rural Development and Excise, Government of Kerala attended the programme online and delivered the keynote address. Dr. K. Ellangovan IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries & Norka,Government of Kerala welcomed the gathering.

Pravasi Bhadratha Programme is a financial security programme being launched for the welfare of the emigrants who had returned to Kerala losing their livelihoods. PEARL is the emigrant survival programme being implemented by Kudumbashree as part of the 'Pravasi Bhadratha' Nano Programme implemented by the Norka Department. The interest free loan for starting new enterprises through Kudumbashree is provided to the jobless emigrants from the amount allocated by the Norka Roots for the welfare of the emigrants.

Interest Free loan and other support would be provided via Kudumbashree for starting enterprises through this programme. Financial support would be provided to the members of the newly formed women auxiliary groups as part of Kudumbashree, if they or their family members are jobless emigrants, to form enterprises through this programme. The objectives of the programme include minimizing the insecurity of the jobless emigrants, providing Interest Free loan to the emigrants who had returned to the homelands after losing their livelihood, for income generating opportunities, providing skill training for starting enterprises and ensuring financial independence by securing steady income for jobless emigrants.

Pravaasi Bhadratha Programme-Mega would be implemented associating with KSIDC Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC).The MoU regarding the same was exchanged by Shri. Rajamanikyam IAS, Managing Director, KSIDC and Shri. K. Harikrishnan Namboothiri, Chief Executive Officer, NORKA Roots. Pravasi Bhadratha Programme-Micro would also be implemented. Shri. K Varadarajan, Resident Vice Chairman, NORKA-Roots gave away felicitations and Shri. K Harikrishnan Namboothiri, Chief Executive Officer, NORKA Roots delivered the vote of thanks.

Click here to know more about Pravasi Bhadratha Programme- PEARL.

'Mahila- Shreyas' Pickle Unit of the women of Mahila mandiram was launched under the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) Scheme in Alappuzha Municipality. Previously, 'Mahila Shakthi' Neighborhood Group was formed joining the women of the Mahila Mandiram in Alappuzha Municipality under the NULM Scheme. The inmates of Mahila Mandiram comprises of POCSO victims, those who were left alone after interfering in different cases, victims who had to face atrocities from different sectors, those who ended up there as no other opportunity was left for them to survive. One of the main agendas of the Alappuzha Municipality-NULM team was to identify such people who were sidelined and ensure them financial freedom and thereby survival.

As a continuation to this, they were extended training in food processing and the pickle unit was started. The enterprise was inaugurated by Smt. Sowmya Raj, Chairperson, Alappuzha Municipality, Shri. A. Shanavas, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee, Smt. Neethu Lal, Secretary, Alappuzha Municipality, Shri. Nizar, Ward Counselor, Smt. Sujatha, CDS Chairperson, Shri. Varghese K.P, City Project Officer, Shri. Sreejith, Manager, NULM, Smt. Asha, Community Organizer and Smt. Surya, Multi Task Personnel also attended the function.

Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission launched 'Kammadi Honey Brand', the product of Honey Village Programme, which is being implemented as part of Kudumbashree's Sustainable Development Special Project for Scheduled Tribes. The brand was launched by Smt. Prasanna Prasad, President, Panathady Grama Panchayath at Kammadi Hamlet, Panathady Grama Panchayath on 19 August 2021. The Kammadi Forest Honey Brand is prepared by the members of the Jwala Honey Unit and Sneha Honey Unit, Kudumbashree enterprises from Kammadi hamlet. The product is available in Kudumbashree Bazaar and other Kudumbashree trade fairs. Kammadi Forest Honey is produced completely in organic way and has great market opportunities.

The first sale of the Kammadi Forest Honey Brand was done by Shri. T.T Surendran, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission by giving the same to Shri. Arun Rangathumala, Member, Parappa Block Panchayath. The function was presided over by Shri. Radhakrishna Gowda, Chairman, Panathady Grama Panchayath Standing Committee. Smt. Soumyamol, Member, Ward 7, Shri, Prakashan Palayi, Assistant District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission, Shri, C.H Iqbal, Assistant District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission, Shri. Prabhakaran, State Programme Manager, Tribal, Shri. Rathnesh P, District Programme Manager,  Shri. Maneesh, Animator Coordinator, Smt. Madhavi, CDS Chairperson, Shri. Belliyappa, Head of the Hamlet, Smt. Lakshmi. P, Animator and members of Jwala Honey Unit and Sneha Honey Unit also attended the function.

Kudumbashree had organised 'Onapulari' & 'Poove Poli'- Online Onam celebrations for Buds children and Balasabha members, during this onam season. The online onam celebration programmes envisaged to create an opportunity for BUDS and Balasabha children to celebrate this onam in all its glory, with continuing care amidst the crisis of the covid-19 pandemic. Prizes would also be distributed among those who showcased the best performances in the onam celebrations that consisted of various competitions.

'Onapulari 2021' the onam celebrations organized for the students of the BUDS Institutions that function in the Local Self Government Institution Level has been started on 19 August 2021. Better participation was reported in the competitions from the first day itself. Around 5000 children became part of the competitions that lasted till 23 August 2021. 'Malayali Manka', 'Kerala Sreeman/ Mahabali', 'Onappatt', 'Njanum ente Pookkalavum', Drawing competition etc were organized in the junior-senior levels. Parents had taken the photo/ video of the performances of the BUDS students and had sent the same to the teachers. These videos would be judged and the winners would be selected. Everyone who had participated in the programme would be entitled with the 'Certificate of Participation'. In addition, those who get the first three places in the district level and state level would be awarded with certificates and mementos.  

The onam celebrations for the Balasabha members were organized in the name 'Poove Poli 2021'. The Poove Poli was started from 20 August 2021 and it included various competitions such as ' Mavelikkoru kath' (A letter for Maveli), 'Onappattu' (Onam Song) and 'Athapookkalam'. The members had participated in the competitions as groups representing their respective Balasabhas. The videos/photos of the competitions were sent to the concerned people at the CDS level. The competitions were held till 23 August 2021 and around 4 lakh children became part of these celebrations.