As part of the Mind Blowers State Level Campaign, a two-day training session for Block Level Resource Teachers was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram on 7- 8 October 2024. Mind Blowers State Level Campaign is organized with the aim of developing knowledge, creativity and entrepreneurship among the children who are members of Balasabha. About 300 selected trainers participated in the training programme.

Block Level Resource Teachers were given training to train children according to a special module designed to develop children's creativity and thinking skills. Dr. Rajesh Vallikode, Research Officer, SCERT inaugurated the training programme. Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree presided over the function. Shri. V. Ajaya Kumar, Shri. R.S. Baiju Kumar, Dr. Geetha Lakshmi, Shri. S. Suresh Kumar, Shri. Girish Anand, Shri. K. John led the classes.

The Campaign which is organized in collaboration with the Udhyam Learning Foundation has two phases. 50,000 children are being trained. The objectives of the Mind Blowers Campaign is to help children discover their innate abilities, provide necessary support to develop the discovered abilities, empower the Balasabha members to identify social problems, and empower children to solve problems through entrepreneurial ideas and innovative methods.

The first state level training was organized as part of Kudumbashree's 'Happy Keralam' Project to ensure the overall welfare and upliftment of every individual and family in the Kerala society by making every family a Centre of Happiness. The three-day South Region Training for 70 Resource Persons from seven districts from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam district was held in Kottayam from 3-5 October 2024. The training for Resource Persons in remaining districts will be from 9-11 October 2024 at Vadakara, Kozhikode.

The Happy Kerala Project is being implemented as part of the FNHW (Food, Nutrition, Health and WASH) activities of the National Rural Livelihood Mission implemented by Kudumbashree. Kudumbashree Happiness Centres will be started in 154 Model CDSs in the state.

Those trained at the State Level will participate in the activities of setting up 'Happiness Forums' at the district, CDS and ADS levels. The Happiness Forum is formed by including representatives of the Kudumbashree three-tier organizational system and representatives of local bodies. 'Edam' will also be formed at the ward level with 10 to 40 families in each ward. It will include all the families in the general society. It is in these 'Edam' formed at the ward level that a family-based micro-level plan is prepared to find out the required happiness index for each family.

Adv. K.V. Bindu, President, Kottayam District Panchayat inaugurated the Southern Region Training Programme. Shri. Abhilash Diwakar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission welcomed the gathering. Ms. Krishnakumari R, State Assistant Programme Manager explained the project. Ms. Usha Devi, District Program Manager (Gender) delivered the vote of thanks.

A two-day training for the facilitators was organized prior to the preparation of the micro plan as part of the rehabilitation work in Meppadi of Wayanad district which suffered from landslides. The training was held at Kalpetta, Wayanad on 3-4 October 2024. Ms. Anupama IAS, Special Secretary, Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala made an introductory presentation. Ms. Geetha A. IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree clarified the importance of the micro plan. 

Ms. Meghashree IAS, District Collector, Wayanad District, Shri. Gautham Raj IAS, Assistant Collector, Wayanad District, Shri. P.K. Balasubramanian, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Shri. N. Jagajeevan, Shri. Vimal Kumar Mathew, State Resource Persons, Shri. Anish Kumar, Ms. Beena E, Shri. N. P Shibu, Shri. M Prabhakaran, Shri. Nishad C.C, Shri. Arun P. Rajan, Kudumbashree State Programme Managers and heads of various departments led the classes. About 120 people participated in the training.

Kudumbashree organized 'Balasadas' for Balasabha members in 19,470 wards of the state on 2 October 2024, Gandhi Jayanti Day. More than 4 lakh children participated in the children's audience which started by 2 PM. "Why high school students are not given lunch in schools ?, Why there is no special Grama sabha for children?"  These were the questions asked by the children at the 'Balasadas' organized by Kudumbashree across the state.

The Balasadas aims to provide practical knowledge to effectively organize the Children's Grama Sabha and develop the skills to identify social problems and find solutions among the children. It also aims at the empowerment of Balasabhas, developing organizational skills, leadership qualities and logical thinking in children.

The questions raised by the children, social problems, children's needs, suggestions and opinions will be divided into various topics under the leadership of Balasabha Resource Persons and a report will be prepared. These reports will be submitted to the CDS office before 10 October 2024. These reports received at the CDS level will be collated and presented to the Bala Panchayat or Bala Urban Local Body and then be submitted to the Chairman and Secretary of the Local Self Government Institution. The solutions for the problems raised by the children through the report will be found at the local body level. The aim is to present the other issues in the State Kudumbashree Bala Parliament and bring them to the attention of the Government and find solutions.

Ahead of Balasadas, Kolayikkoottam, installation of question boxes in schools, reels, poster writing, status post competitions, proclamation marches and flash mobs were also organized in the districts. Local body representatives, District Missions, State - CDS Resource Persons, ADS Mentors and CDS Members supervised the Balasadas.

The new outlet of Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant started its operations in Kannur district of Kerala. Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant with premium facilities and variety of food including local delicacies is started at Thalassery - Mysore Interstate Highway near Vallithodu Kunnoth, Iritty. 

The restaurant was inaugurated by Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister,  Local Self-Government Department, Excise Department & Parliamentary Affairs Department Government of Kerala online on 1 October 2024. Shri. Sunny Joseph, MLA presided over the inaugural ceremony. Shri. M. V Jayan, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission explained the project. 

Kudumbashree's first of its kind Premium Restaurant was opened in Angamaly of Ernakulam district. Later, Premium restaurants were opened in Guruvayoor of Thrissur district, Meppadi of Wayanad district and Pandalam of Pathanamthitta district.

The location of the Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant opened at Iritty is as follows:

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/7GA7PqBPWfeHjv2S9

National Saras Mela to showcase and market diverse products of India's rural entrepreneurs will start at Chengannur of Alappuzha district from 17 to 28 January 2025. The meeting of the organizing committee of the fair was organized at IHRD Engineering College Auditorium, Chengannur on 30 September 2024. Shri. Saji Cherian, Minister for Fisheries and Cultural affairs, Government of Kerala inaugurated the meeting. Adv Shobha Varghese, Chairperson, Chengannur Municipality presided over the function. 

A 1001-member General Committee and 251-member Executive Committee was formed with Shri. Saji Cherian, Minister as Chairman, Shri. Alex M Varghese IAS as General Convener and Shri. S. Ranjith, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission as Convener.

In addition to the products, the India Food Court, which provides food products from different states, and various programmes including cultural programmes, seminars and processions will be part of the fair. Apart from this, programmes  in connection with 'Chengannur Peruma' and boat race will also be organized.

Shri. K.M.Salim, Shri. P.K. Venugopal, Presidents, Block Panchayats, Shri. O.S. Unnikrishnan, Chairman, Folklore Academy, Shri. M. Sasikumar, Ms. Hemalatha Mohan, Shri. K.K. Sadanandan, Ms. T.V. Ratnakumari, Shri. M.G. Sreekumar, Shri. G. Vivek, Shri. Oommen Aalummoottil, Shri. T.T M Varghese, Shri. Sasikumar Cherukol and Shri. P.R. Ramesh Kumar also spoke at the function.  Shri. S.Ranjith, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission welcomed the gathering.

Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala performed the inauguration of the Micro Enterprise Resource Centre (MERC) at Uzhavoor Block of Kottayam District and 'Ithal' Notebook Manufacturing Unit at Veliyannur BUDS School on 24 September 2024.

MERC is a block level mechanism for strengthening the Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Sector. MERC is also functioning in Pallam block in the district. Currently MERCs have been started in 17 blocks to increase employment and income opportunities and provide financial assistance and technical training to women in the NHG. MERCs aim to take Kudumbashree initiatives to higher levels through continuous and effective monitoring and support.

In March 2023, Kudumbashree started the first MERC at Nedumangad of Thiruvananthapuram district. Currently MERCs are functioning in all 13 districts except Wayanad. Apart from Kottayam, Kannur, Ernakulam and Malappuram have two MERCs each. MERCs are a single window system for co-ordinating and expediting livelihood activities at the block level. Another highlight is that Call Centres and Help Desks are functioning along with.  MERCs are also functioning in Chadayamangalam (Kollam), Konni (Pathanamthitta), Muthukulam (Alappuzha), Azhutha (Idukki), Kothamangalam, Mulanthuruthy (Ernakulam), Ollukkara (Thrissur), Alathoor (Palakkad), Vadakara (Kozhikode), Thalassery, Iritty (Kannur), Kasaragod (Kasaragod), Mankada and Vandoor (Malappuram) blocks also have MERCs functioning.

'Ithal' along with 'Kanivu'

 A modern mechanized notebook manufacturing unit has started functioning in connection with the 'Kanivu' initiative at Veliyannur BUDS School. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the panchayat with the aim of ensuring an income source for the parents of BUDS School children.

Shri. Mons Joseph, MLA presided over the  inaugural ceremony. Ms. K.V. Bindu, President, District Panchayath, Shri. P.C. Kurian, President, Block Panchayath, Shri. P.M. Mathew, Chairman, District Panchayat Standing Committee, Panchayat representatives, Kudumbashree office bearers and officials were also present at the function.

Balasabha 'Kutty Chantha' is a project initiated by Kudumbashree Kasaragod  District Mission with the aim of making children understand the importance of work during their education period and imparting small business ideas. Children who are members of Balasabha conduct 'Kutty Chanthas' (Little Markets) once a month in all 42 CDSs of the district on school holidays.

The products produced by the children studying in BUDS Institutions run by Kudumbasree in association with local self-government bodies and their parents, and products from Kudumbasree agriculture and small enterprises are sold through 'Kutty Chantha'. 'Kutty Chantha' also aims at inculcating saving habits in children, imparting livelihood skills and providing opportunities for social interaction.

Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Consultants, Agriculture and Social Development Community Resource Persons under the leadership of their respective CDSs deliver the produces to 'Kutty Chantha'. The proceeds from the markets will be deposited in the CDS Account and are used for the academic and extra-curricular activities of the children. The District Level Inauguration of the project was held at Chemmanad CDS on 13 September 2024 .

Yuva Reshmi Vellamari became the champions in the third season of the Attappady Tribal Football League organized by Youth Resource Centre of Kudumbashree Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project. 44 youth clubs / Yuvashree teams working in connection with the Kudumbashree Special Project of Attappady participated in the tournament organized at Agali Panchayat ground for three days.

Yuva Reshmi defeated Strikers Karuvara by a one-sided goal in the final match held on 20 September 2024. Young Mustards Kadukumanna won the third place after defeating Anashwara Abbannoor Club by three uncontested goals. Anuram Kadukumanna was selected as the Player of the Tournament. Vijayakumar of the Vellamari team was selected as the Best Goal Keeper. Vignesh Vellamari was also selected as the Best Player of the Final Match. Arun Karuvara also bagged the Emerging Player award.

The tournament was inaugurated  by the office-bearers of all the four Panchayat Committees of Kudumbashree on 18 September 2024. Prizes to the winners was jointly distributed by Shri. Sadiq Ali, Assistant Project Manager, Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Shri. Pazhani Swami, Secretary, Agali Panchayat, Shri. G Santhosh Kumar, Inspector, Janamaithri Excise, Shri. Ravi Kumar, Preventive Officer, Shri. Abhilash, Civil Excise Officer, Shri. Krishna Kumar, Civil Excise Officer and Office Bearers of Panchayat Samiti.

For this Onam, Varavoor's own Varavoor Gold became the star of the Onam Marketing Fair organized by Kudumbashree CDS in Varavoor, Thrissur. Varavoor Gold is the best quality Chinese Potato cultivated by Kudumbashree Farming Groups in 63 acres of Varavoor Paddy Fields. It is the distinct aroma at the time of harvest that sets Varavoor Gold apart from other Chinese Potato varieties.

The Chinese Potato was harvested by Nila JLG and brought it for sale at Varavoor CDS Onam Marketing Fair. The Chinese Potato was sold for Rs. 100 per kilogram. 400 Kilogram of Chinese Potato was sold in the Onam Market. Ms. V.K. Pushpa, Chairperson, Varavoor CDS , Shri. M.K. Alfred, Member Secretary, Varavoor Panchayath is giving leadership to the Chinese Potato Cultivation activities.