'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.

Kudumbashree launched 'Onam Utsav' Online Trade Fair  to extend maximum support to Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs and farming group members (JLG) to make maximum out of the onam market. The campaign was launched by Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram on 18 August 2021. Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, presided over the function. Amidst the crisis of covid-19', Onam Utsav', the online trade fair is being conducted  through www.kudumbashreebazaar.com, the e-commerce portal of Kudumbashree during 18-31 August 2021. 

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. It is expected that the public would buy the products of our entrepreneurs through 'Onam Utsav' and make this online trade fair a great success.

Kudumbashree's 'Ennonam Ninnonam Evarkkum Ponnonam' Campaign has been started. The campaign envisages that Kudumbashree NHGs would extend support to neighbors and the destitute during this onam season. The crisis of covid-19, which have been continuing for the last two years, has affected our neighbors, friends and relatives in one way or the other.  Through this campaign, Kudumbashree NHGs would implement various activities that would extend hope, care and support to all. 

Kudumbashree NHG members had made great interventions during the floods of 2018 and 2019. They had made efforts to arrange temporary stay to the flood affected in their own houses, engaged in the cleaning activities and had even contributed Rs 11.18 crores to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). When lockdown was notified in Kerala to contain the spread of covid-19, Kudumbashree members were active in awareness and covid countering activities. The various activities also include the running the community kitchens, production of masks-sanitizers, disinfection activities and other activities that extend special care to the geriatric and the destitute. The photos and details of the activities being implemented by the NHGs as part of the campaign during this onam season can be shared through various social media platforms with the following hashtags-  #എന്നോണംനിന്നോണംഏവര്‍ക്കുംപൊന്നോണം, #ennonamninnonamevarkkumponnonam.

'Tech for Tribals Kerala', the Training being implemented in Kerala through Kudumbashree associating with IIT Kanpur was held at Wayanad district of Kerala. 'Tech For Tribals’ is an initiative that aims at the holistic development of tribals with a focus on entrepreneurship development, soft skills, IT and business development through SHGs operating through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs). The initiative is being implemented as part of The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. The training was held at Thavinjal, Thirunelly, Noolpuzha and Thondernadu Van Dhan Vikas Kendras. 87 persons from 4 panchayaths has already participated in the programme. The training would be held at 4 other CDSs soon.

 The training was given by Shri. Ankith Saksena and Shri. Robin Philip of IIT Kanpur. The programme aims at enabling the tribal entrepreneurs to market quality products with certification.  As part of this, the tribal entrepreneurs in the district had produced value added products such as face pack, turmeric soap, turmeric oil, honey gooseberry, honey ginger etc. The training aims at bridging the gap between tribal hamlets and global markets. It digitally provides hands-on training to tribal entrepreneurs through course content relevant for the BoP Entrepreneurship in Value Addition and Processing of Forest Produces and shall support over 6000 beneficiaries under the programme. 

IIT Kanpur has conceived this training programme and prepared the training module focusing on the entrepreneurship in value addition and processing of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP). Topics  that would be helpful in entrepreneurship such as entrepreneurship skills, positive psychology, understanding the local opportunities based on NTFP, grading, sorting, branding, packaging, certification of the product, market survey, retail sales etc.

Tribal Micro Enterprise units from Attappady bags orders from Supplyco to provide sweets for the onam kits. Rushikondatta, Navarasa, Malleeshwara and Shreenandanam, the four micro enterprise units consisting of 16 tribal women from Attappady would provide 60,000 packets of banana chips and jaggery coated banana chips worth Rs 15.60 lakhs to the onam kits which would be distributed by the Supplyco during this onam season. The banana chips and the jaggery coated banana chips would be given to the Supplyco in the brand name, 'Hill Value'. The banana chips and the jaggery coated banana chips are given to the onam kits of Supplyco, as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project.

The Hill Value unit had already been selling various farm produce in the market under the 'Hill Value Brand. The unit has procured 24 tonnes  of plantain from the Kudumbashree Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) , which had in turn helped a lot many farmers who were facing challenges due to covid-19 pandemic. The JLGs have been producing various traditional crops such as ragi, little millet (chama), jowar, millets , fox tail millet (tina), kodo millet (varagu), sorghum (cholam) and pearl millet (kambham) and have been marketing under the 'Hill Value' brand. The products under 'Hill Value' brand also include coffee, turmeric powder, coriander powder, chilli powder, pickles, njavara, cardamom, clove, brindleberry, amara, thumara, tamarind, pepper, kungiliyam, honey, sesame, cinnamon etc. Previously, the Hill Value team had participated in the India International Trade Fair (IITF) held at Delhi, the Tribal Fair held at the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the National Sale of Articles and Rural Artisan Society (SARAS) and various other festivals and had earned good visibility and appreciation of thousands of consumers and general public.

In addition to the tribal micro enterprise units from Attappady, Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs from various districts across the state are busy preparing and supplying sweets for the onam kits of Supplyco. Kudumbashree aims at making maximum use of the onam market to overcome the financial crisis the entrepreneurs had to face during the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of this, Kudumbashree is converging with Supplyco. The tribal micro enterprise units of Attappady are trying to make the most out of this opportunity now.

Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission organized 'Kavacham 2021' Health Assembly at the NHG level. Kudumbashree has been making various interventions in the covid countering activities. As the state is getting ready to confront the third wave of covid-19 pandemic, Kudumbashree is getting ready to take the covid countering campaign to the next level. Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission had organized various awareness programmes and competitions through Wayanad Vision and Malanad channel, local channels in the district and  various social media on 9 August 2021. Shri. O.R Kelu, MLA, Shri. T. Siddique, MLA, Shri, I. C Balakrishnan, MLA, Dr. Adeela Abdulla IAS, District Collector, Wayanad, Dr. Renuka, District Medical Officer, and Smt. P. Sajitha, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission spoke to the public. Covid pledge was also taken by the Kudumbashree members at their households. 

Meme making, cartoon, poster making for Balasabha children, poetry competition, short film competition and photography competition in connection with covid were organized as part of the campaign. Topics were given for poetry and photography competitions. The other competitions would be in connection with covid awareness. Awareness programme performed by Shri. Mathews, Folk Song Artist was also broadcasted through the local channels and various social media platforms. The results of the various competitions will be announced soon.

Kudumbashree is busy setting up 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets to market the products of Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs at the local level. Kudumbashree envisages to start 100 'Kudumbashree Shoppe' outlets all across the state. Sanction had been given for starting 73 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets and 15 of them had already started functioning. The activities to launch the remaining outlets is progressing at a faster pace. Now, 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets are opened at Vellarada, Pullampara panchayats of Thiruvananthapuram, Budhanoor Panchayath of Alappuzha, Kadavallur Panchayath of Thrissur, Narath Panchayath of Kannur,  Kuruva, Kuttippuram, Vengara Panchayats of Malappuram, Kanjikuzhy Panchayath of Idukki, Puthuppadi Panchayath of Kozhikode and Kottappady, Thiruvaniyoor, Okkal, Ayyambuzha, Mulanthuruthy Panchayaths of Ernakulam District. 'Naadanum Nallathum' (Local & Good) is the tagline of these branded 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets. 

The products of Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs were getting wide acceptance at the monthly markets, the temporary avenues which were started for promoting the products of Kudumbashree micro enterprises. Through monthly markets, it was able to identify markets for Kudumbashree micro enterprises that were in the initial stages. In this background, it was identified that these temporary markets should be turned into permanent marketing outlets. The idea of setting up marketing outlets at the local level was included in the Annual Action Plan 2020-21 of the Kudumbashree Marketing team. The same is included in the Annual Action Plan 2021-22 as well. On this basis, the district teams were directed to identify the spots where monthly markets were being held successfully. They were also asked to identify the spaces at various locations across the state, where the marketing outlets could be launched. Following that, a uniform plan and design of the marketing outlet (designed by the State Mission), which was branded as 'Kudumbashree Shopee' was given to the district teams. The district teams were directed to submit a detailed project proposal and estimate on the spaces identified to start the 'Kudumbashree Shopee'  outlets to Kudumbashree State Mission. After analyzing the same, sanction was given for starting 73 marketing outlets. 

The respective District Missions would own the 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets in their districts. The respective CDSs would be in charge of the 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets in their respective panchayats. The CDSs may entrust someone for dealing with the marketing and management of the outlets.  A meeting of the entrepreneurs could be convened under their leadership, fix the margins of the products and entrust the entrepreneurs to bring the products to the outlets, on a regular basis. It is the responsibility of the Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Consultants (MECs) to oversee the activities of the Kudumbashree Shopee outlets and handhold the same. Rs 5 lakh each would be allocated for setting up the outlet. This could be used for the interior functioning, electrification and for purchasing the needed equipment. Also, a Management Committee would be formed at the CDS level for the overall management of the outlets. The Management Committee should include CDS Chairperson, Member Secretary, Accountant,  ME Convener,  Block Coordinator, one CDS member and Micro Enterprise Consultant (MEC) as Managing Committee members. Kudumbashree is making concerted efforts to take the marketing of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs to the next level.

Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission launched 'Meraki' Brand Kurta of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. The enterprise was launched by Shri. V. Sivadasan, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha at Najmulhuda Shopping Complex, Meruvambai, Kannur on 7 August 2021. The enterprise was started by Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission, by joining a group of Kudumbashree women who knew tailoring beforehand and had lost their livelihood opportunities due to the crisis of Covid-19 pandemic.

'Meraki' Brand Kurta, which is launched at the state level is the first of its kind branded Kurta of Kudumbashree and the same  would soon be available online. The 'Meraki' Brand kurtas would be available in all sizes. The enterprise has a special logo and branded price tag and was launched by joining the women from Koothuparamba block, who knew tailoring beforehand. The training was extended to the entrepreneurs under the leadership of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kannur, an institution for Fashion, Design, Technology and Management, located in the Dharmashala of Kannur, during the first week of March 2021. The training extended was on the new trends in the fashion world and new designs. 

The micro entrepreneurs were divided into four enterprise groups and they would function as the enterprises of the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP). If pre-orders are given, they would also stitch dress codes as well. The 'Meraki' Brand Kurta also has a Customer Care Centre. 8281709388 is the contact number of 'Meraki' Brand Kurta of Kudumbashree.