The logo of  Arangu Kudumbashree State Arts Festival was released. Adv. C. H Kunjambu, MLA released the logo of Arangu Kudumbashree State Arts Festival at Ambika Auditorium, Uduma Kasaragod on 28 May 2024. Arangu Kudumbashree State Arts Festival is proposed to be held at Pilikode, Kasaragod on 7-9 June 2024. Kudumbashree is organizing the 5th edition of Arangu, the ward-level to state-level festival to nurture the creative skills of Kudumbashree NHG- Auxiliary Group members. The logo and tagline were selected from over 70 entries received in a competition organized at the state level.

Shri. Manikandan, President, Kanhangad Block Panchayat, Ms. S Preetha, President, Madikkai Grama Panchayath, Ms. Lakshmi, President, Uduma Panchayat, Shri. Surendran T.T, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission, Shri. Haridas D, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree District Mission, Shri. Nishad C.C, State Programme Manager, Shri. Muneera. K, State Assistant Programme Manager, Ms. Sanooja, CDS Chairperson, Uduma, other People's Representatives, District Mission Programme Managers, CDS Chairpersons, Kudumbashree staff and Kudumbashree members attended the function.

Kanas Jaga (dream place) is a special project of Kudumbashree to make the indigenous children excel in different fields and make themselves aware of the place where they live, its climate, climatic changes, social problems and children's rights and empower themselves to overcome the problems. Kanas Jaga has been initiated during this holiday in nine places where Scheduled Tribes Special Programme or Scheduled Tribes Sustainable Development Programme is being implemented under the leadership of Kudumbashree.

Kanas Jaga is being implemented in Kasaragod Koraga Special Project, Kannur Aralam Special Project, Thirunelly and Noolpuzha Special Projects in Wayanad, Malappuram Nilambur Special Project, Attappady Special Project, Parambikulam Special Project, Palakkad Vandazhi Special Project, Thrissur Kadar Special Project, Edamalakkudy Special Project, Marayoor Kanthalloor Special Project in Idukki, Pathanamthitta Malaipandara Special Project areas.

Indigenous children in these areas are trained to produce short films, plays and stories that detail their habitats, illustrate problems and propose solutions. Short films of maximum 15 minutes duration will be screened at the State-Level Film Festival in September. At present, more than 500 children have become a part of Kanas Jaga activities. Resource Persons are also becoming part of the Kanas Jaga project activities that pave the way for the advancement of indigenous children.

The Suchithwolsavam Campaign started during the holidays focusing on Kudumbashree Balasabhas is progressing in the districts. The year-long ward-level campaign is planned to create awareness about the existing waste management systems and empower the Balasabha members to participate in waste management at their homes.

The two-phased campaign consists of the first phase of activities like finding the treasure, ruby in the heap and nature walks, and the second phase of environmental study report preparation, ward-level monitoring and Sargolsavam. The children will study a problem related to waste management in their area and prepare a study report to solve it. These study reports will be made public through the International Sanitation Summit to be held in November.

Finding the treasure
It is an activity in which the children find and collect materials or thing from the houses and public places in the ward left useless but which can be used for any activity.

The ruby in the heap
It involves the activity of turning the materials collected by the children into products under the guidance of the facilitator. A mountable installation is also constructed and is permanently displayed in a public space in the ward. Exhibition Fairs and Swap Shops of the products made in this way are organized at the local body and district level.

Nature walk
Conduct environmental studies in their area. Meet and talk with the older generation to learn about the environmental changes in their area. Children provide suggestions and solutions to problems. In addition to preparation of ward level study report, as part of the second phase of activities, Sargolsavam focusing on arts and literature activities on hygiene will be conducted in Balasabhas on every second Saturdays.

A Career Guidance Workshop was organized for the 10th pass students as part of Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project. Shri. B. S Manoj, Assistant Project Officer, Kudumbashree inaugurated the workshop organized at Agali Camp Centre on 18 May 2024. The classes were conducted by Shri. Abdul Rahman, Senior Social Worker, Shri. Thomas Wilson, Communication Officer, The Blue Point and Shri. Jomon, Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Attappady Special Project. 

Shri. Abdul Rahman led classes on 'Courses after 10th Class and its Prospects', and Shri. Thomas Wilson led classes on Adolescence, Life Success and Personality Development. Whereas Shri. Jomon led class on 'Plus One Admission'. Panchayat Samiti Presidents of Kudumbashree, Secretaries, Co-ordinators and Animators gave leadership to the workshop.

'Ennidam' ADS Level Cultural and Recreations Centres were launched on Kudumbashree Day as part of the 26th anniversary of Kudumbashree. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree performed the state level inauguration of Ennidam ADS Level Cultural and Recreations Centres at Karikotukuzhi ADS of Aryancode Panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district on 17 May 2024. Arts and cultural programmes and a product and food fair was also organized in connection with the programme.

'Ennidam' is a programme conceived to make ADSs more efficient, create social and cultural awareness among NHG group members, nurture the creative abilities of Kudumbashree members and maintain a harmonious atmosphere in the country. 'Ennidam' will be a platform to develop the artistic and literary tastes of NHG women and share ideas. Public spaces and reading rooms under the local bodies in each ward are set as 'Ennidam'.

Shri. Ramesh.G, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission presided over the function. Shri. Nishad C.C, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree gave a presentation on the idea of 'Ennidam'. Ms. H.Valsala, Chairperson, Aryancode CDS welcomed the gathering and Ms. Sajitha.G, Secretary, Karikotukuzhi ADS delivered the vote of thanks. Ms. O.Girija Kumari, President, Aryancode Panchayat, Shri. A.S.Jeeval Kumar, Vice President, Aryancode, Ms. R.Simi, Member, Block Panchayat and Shri. Nafih Muhammed, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree extended their felicitations.

The inaugural programmes of 'Ennidam' were organized at least one ADS in each of the 1070 CDSs in various districts of the state with discussions, seminars, art programmes, planting of shade trees, sanitation and beautification of public spaces, old age gatherings, exhibition fairs, marketing fairs, setting up of reading rooms, food fairs and various competitions. In Attappady, 'Ennidam' is being implemented in the name, 'Nammthade' as a part of the Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, in all Oorusamithis.

A four-day training for 50 NHG members to create innovative change with drones in Kerala's agriculture sector has been completed. The training was jointly organized by Kudumbashree and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR - CTCRI) based at Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram. The training started on 13 May 2024 came to an end on 16 May 2024.  Dr. Suja G, Director in Charge, CTCRI, distributed the Certificates and Drone Operating Manuals to those who successfully completed the training programme. 

The training was given on 'Smart Agriculture Concept' under the guidance of experts from ICAR - CTCRI and FACT. The training was given on many subjects like Smart Farming, Agri Drone Operation (Hardware, Servicing), Drone Simulator, Drone Flying, Drone Design, Technical Aspects, Operational Guidelines for Use, Personal Safety to be followed when using Drones, Environmental Considerations, Pesticide Use, Maintenance Safety Measures. Apart from their own farms, these drone pilots also have the opportunity to earn income by doing agricultural work on other people's farms using drones. District level trainings will also be organized later.
    
Dr. V.S. Santosh Mitra, Principal Scientist, ICAR - CTCRI who welcomed the gathering at the closing ceremony conducted the training review as well. Dr. S. Shanavas, Programme Officer, Farm Livelihood, Kudumbashree delivered the felicitation. Dr. Sheela Emmanuel, Principal Scientist, ICAR - CTCRI delivered the vote of thanks. After the first national level training organized in Chennai, the Kudumbashree drone pilots are determined to enter the field using the confidence gained through this training they received in their mother tongue in their own place.

Oorulsavam (Hamlet Festival) was organized at Attappady in connection with the 'Ennidam' programme, which provides an artistic, cultural and social space for NHG members at the ADS level. The Oorulsavam (Hamlet Festival) was organized at Anavai hamlet of Kurumba region under Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree on 9 May 2024. It is aimed to start the programme in the name 'Nammthade' in all the towns after the state-level inauguration of 'Ennidam' on 17 May 2024.

As part of the Oorulsavam, the residents of hamlet took part in a variety of day-long events like sports competitions, awareness classes and art performances. 'Malinya Muktha Ooru Mazhayethum Munne' Hamlet level Sanitation Campaign was also started as part of the programme. Members of Kurumba Panchayat Samiti, Shri. B.S. Manoj, Assistant Programme Officer, Programme Co-ordinators, Youth Co-ordinators, Animators and Snehitha officials were part of the programme.

The fruit tree campaign of Kudumbashree Gender Resource Centres in Ernakulam district is in progress. As part of the campaign Kudumbashree CDS. As part of the campaign, the CDS Office Bearers and Community Counselors have been focusing on planting fruit trees at Gender Resource Centers (GRCs) and protect them by fencing them. It displays the details and phone number of the Snehitha Gender Help Desk and GRC in the district. 

So far, fruit tree saplings have been planted in 95 CDSs as part of the Campaign. Apart from this, a programme of planting and maintaining fruit trees locally under the leadership of Vigilant Group members at 1833 ward levels and 27,000 Gender Point Persons at NHG level is also in progress as part of the campaign.

The Organizing Committee of Arangu 2024,the State Arts Festival of Kudumbashree members and Auxiliary Group members to be hosted by Kasaragod district on 7 to 9 June 2024 has been formed. An executive committee and 13 sub-committees were formed in a meeting organized at Kalikkadav Karakkakav Auditorium in Pilikode Grama Panchayat on 13 May 2024. The Arts Festival will be held at eight venues in Pilikode Panchayat.

Shri. M. Rajagopalan, MLA Thrikaripur Constituency is the Chairman of the Executive Committee. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree is the General Convener and Shri. T.T. Surendran, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission is the Convener of the Executive Committee. 

The organizing committee meeting was inaugurated by Shri. M. Rajagopalan, MLA Thrikaripur Constituency. Shri. Madhavan Maniyara. President, Neeleshwaram Block Panchayath presided over the function. Shri. T.T Surendran, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission welcomed the gathering. Shri. C.C. Nishad, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree explained about the Arangu Arts Festival. 

Shri. P Karunakaran, Former MP, Shri. M. Manu, Member, District Panchayath Standing Committee, Ms. Prasanna Kumari, President, Pilikode Grama Panchayath, Shri. V.P.P Mustafa, Block Panchayath members, Gram Panchayat Presidents, Vice Presidents, Head of Police Department, Shri. Prabhakaran M, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Shri. Kunji Krishnan, Cine Actor, various social and cultural leaders, representatives of youth organizations, Kudumbashree CDS chairpersons of the district and others participated in the meeting. Shri. D. Haridas, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission introduced the panel of various committees. Shri. C.H. Iqbal, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

A four-day agricultural drone training programme jointly organized by Kudumbashree, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Central Tuber Crops Research Institute was started at Millennium Hall, Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram on 13 May 2024. Ms. Bindu K.S, Director (A&F), Kudumbashree inaugurated the programme. Dr. G Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI presided over the function. He also interacted with Kudumbashree farmers.

The Drone Operating Manual translated to Malayalam by ICAR-CTCRI was released by Dr. G Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI by giving the same to Ms. Bindu K.S, Director (A&F), Kudumbashree during the function. Dr. V.S Santhosh Mithra, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CTCRI talked on 'Introduction to Smart Farming'. 

The training topics include Introduction to Agri Drone: Hardware, Servicing etc, Familiarizing with Drone simulator, Familiarizing with Drone Flying, Familiarizing with Agri Drones. The main objective of the training programme is to achieve significant progress in the agricultural sector by utilizing new technology and thereby achieve economic empowerment. 50 Kudumbashree women will be given four days agricultural drone training. Field level training is imparted to the farmers to introduce them to the concept of 'Smart Agriculture' which provides better employment and income enhancement to the common women farmers. Drones have already been made available to all 50 participants in the training. 

The first day training provided a better understanding of the drone's architecture, technical aspects and operational guidelines for use. Field level training on smart farming, agri drone hardware, maintenance and servicing, drone simulator, trial drone flying and hands on agri drone flying led by experts from ICAR-CTCRI and FACT  will be given in the following days.  Awareness will also be given on personal safety, environmental considerations, use of pesticides and maintenance safety measures etc. while using drones.

The four-day training programme will provide Kudumbashree farmers with an excellent opportunity to learn and apply innovative technologies that operate agricultural drones. It will also help to learn how to effectively plant seeds, monitor crop growth at regular intervals, and apply pesticides and liquid fertilizers in a short period of time using drones. There is also an opportunity for the women farmers to discuss their queries with the subject experts in the field of science and technology during the training.

By using drones, farmers can also save time and reduce physical labour by being able to perform arduous tasks related to agriculture in a short period of time. The training will also help the farmers to earn more income by doing agricultural work through drones in their own farms as well as in the farms of other farmers. It is also possible to modernize the agricultural sector by increasing the employability and efficiency of women. It is expected that more women farmers may enter this field as better productivity, employment opportunities and income can be achieved in the field of agriculture. It is also hoped that the technical and practical knowledge acquired through the training will help the farmers to find better livelihoods in agriculture and allied sectors. Kudumbashree will be organizing several training programs this year in the areas of innovative agriculture, agribusiness and allied enterprises. The drone training programme is the beginning of this.

Officials in charge of Farm Livelihood Project at the state level and District Programme Managers in charge at the district level are participating in the training programme. The training will come to an end on 16 May 2024.

Dr. Shanavas, Programme Officer, Farm Livelihoods, Kudumbashree Mission & Shri. B Sivachandran, Zonal Manager, FACT delivered the felicitation address. Agri Drones: Experience of FACT was explained by Shri. B Sivachandran. Dr. Sheela Immanuel, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CTCRI welcomed the gathering and Dr. V.S Santhosh Mithra, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CTCRI delivered the vote of thanks.