Delhi Women Commission members have visited Kerala for a detailed study as part of the efforts to replicate Kudumbashree model. The six member team for the detailed study includes Ms. Swati Maliwal, Chairperson, Delhi Commission for Women, Ms. Firdos, Member, Delhi Commission for Women, Ms. Vandana Singh, Member, Delhi Commission for Women, Ms. Sakshi Saurabh, Research Associate, Ms. Deepika Singh, Program Coordinator and Mr. Saurabh Singh, Research Officer.

The team has interacted with Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala and Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree. They had visited and witnessed various activities of Kudumbashree in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam districts from 2-4 March 2022. The team had visited NHG, Gender Resource Centre, Pink Cafe, Apparel Park, She Lodge, RO Plant at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam districts and Transgender NHG, Kochi Metro, Samrudhi Janakeeya Hotel at Ernakulam district.

Representatives of the Rural Development Department of Maharashtra Government visited Kudumbashree to learn about the various activities of Kudumbashree. The delegation from the Government of Maharashtra include Mr. Sachin Shivaji Ghadge, Mr. Pravin Rushi Korgantiwar, Mr. Pradeep Ramachandra Mane, Mr. Vijaysing Gokuldas Nalawade, Mr. Sharadchandra Yeshwant Mali, Mr. Dhananjay Balkirshana Khatavkar and Mr. Santosh Laxman Shinde.

The delegation had discussions with Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Shri. Sajith Sukumaran, Chief Operating Officer, Kudumbashree NRO (National Resource Organization) and Shri. Anish Kumar M.S, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree and Chief Operating Officer (in-charge), National Rural Livelihoods Mission.

A team of 42 Kudumbashree members had presented dramas & music programmes before the invited audience on the last day of the Drama Workshop held at Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), Mulagunnathukavu Thrissur on 26 February 2022. They came up to the stage with the lessons they learnt during the four day long Drama Workshop and the won the heart of the audience.

The dramas and music programmes were arranged as part of the 'Sthreesakthi Cultural Procession', which is formulated aiming at spreading awareness messages against dowry system and atrocities against women and to nurture a favorable attitude towards women empowerment. The dramas and music programmes were presented on the last day of the Drama Workshop held from 23-26 February 2022.

'Sthreesakthi Cultural Procession' would be held in 14 districts across the state as part of the Sthreepaksha Navakeralam State Level Awareness Programme being organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree from 18 December 2021 onwards, against the dowry system and atrocities against women. The Second Phase Training at KILA was organized for the selected 42 women from all districts, following the first phase training held at Thiruvananthapuram.

One group each is formed in every district in connection with the 'Sthreesakthi Cultural Procession. They will extend training to the members of the groups which are formed in the districts. A total of 168 women will get trained through this. The 'Sthreesakthi Cultural Procession' is proposed to be inaugurated on 8 March 2022 during the occasion of the International Women's Day at Kozhikode district. Following that the Cultural Procession will be organized in the upcoming 10 days at various venues in the districts.

The dramas include 'Penkaalam', 'Athu njan thanneyanu' and 'Sadassil ninnum arangilek'. 'Penkaalam' was written by Shri. Karivellur Murali and Shri. Rafeeq Mangalasserry and is directed by Shri. Rafeeq Mangalasserry himself. 'Athu njan thanneyanu' is written by Smt. Sreeja Arangottukara and is directed by Smt. Sudhi Devayani. Whereas 'Sadassil ninnum arangilek' is written and directed by Smt. Sreeja Arangottukara. 'Paduka Jeevithagadhakal' and 'Penvimochana kanavulsavam' are the two music programmes arranged and the same was written and directed by Shri. Karivellur Murali. These dramas and music programmes would take the awareness message of 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' to the common public in the upcoming days through Kudumbashree women. Smt. Shylaja P. Ambu and Smt. Raja Rajeshwari are the Assistant Directors. The songs were sung by Smt. Bhairavi, Smt. Arya and Smt. Greeshma.

Shri. B.S Manoj, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Dr. Myna Umaiban, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree and Shri. K. V Jyothish Kumar, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission had also attended the programme held at KILA, Thrissur.

Kudumbashree has launched 'Millet Cafe' and 'Vaiga', two agro-livelihood enterprises in Hill Value brand as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project. Millet Cafe was started aiming at encouraging the usage and cultivation of millets and make good food available in the local level. The Millet Cafe located at Puthur is functioning under the leadership of Reshi, Lakshmi Vellinkiri and Lakshmi Balan of Chithrashalabham Farming Group. Food items such as Ragi Ada, Puttu, Chama Payasam, Chama Biriyani, Varagu Dosa etc is available here.

'Vaiga' Enterprise is launched under the leadership of Agali Panchayath Samithi. This enterprise produces Dosa batter and different Masala powders. This enterprise is run by the entrepreneurs named Chelli, Lakshmi Nanchan, Pappa Kakki, Asha and Radha. These two enterprises are started under the 'Hill Value', the agro product brand of Kudumbashree. Millet Cafe is the 13th enterprise started in Hill Value Brand in the agricultural sector.

4606 farmers are cultivating various crops through 1037 Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) as part of Kudumbashree in Attappady. They are cultivating various millets such as Ragi, Little Millet (Chama), Corn, Kodo Millet (Varagu), Foxtail Millet (Thina) and Barnyard Millet (Kuthira Vali) in 606.5 acres.

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.