The Third Batch Training of 'Reflecto 24', the two- day training programme organized for CDS Accountants was held at  Thiruvananthapuram on 22-23 January 2023. A total of 130 accountants from Ernakulam and Kannur districts participated in the training. The two-day training consists of sessions to improve the finance management of CDSs, file management, Kudumbashree organizational structure and accounting, approach and microfinance activities.

Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the training at Mariarani Convention Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. Shri. Nishad C.C, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Shri. Abdul Basheer. K, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks. Ms. Vidya Nair V.S, Shri. Mathew Chacko, State Assistant Programme Managers, Kudumbashree  gave leadership to the training along with the training team members.

Training will be organized in five batches for the accountants of Malappuram, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kasaragod and Kozhikode districts in the upcoming days.

Ms. Vidya, a member of the Pathanadukkam Auxiliary Group of Muliyar of Kasaragod district of Kerala is becoming a role model for the more than three lakh Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group members. Vidya has started a Planning Facilitation Centre called 'Homi Layout', which provides building plan, estimation, permission and designing.

Ms. P.V. Mini, President, Muliyar Panchayath inaugurated 'Homi Layout' set up at Bovikanam, under the leadership of Muliyar Panchayath Kudumbashree CDS. Vidya, who has completed her ITI Civil Draftsman Course after her higher secondary education, worked in the field for over six years. She became a member of the Auxiliary Group last year. Her mother being a member of Kudumbashree she did not had to think twice about becoming  part of the Auxiliary Group. Shri. Anish, her husband extends full support to her. Vidya also received financial support from Kudumbashree to start this enterprise.
 
Shri. T.T. Surendran, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission was the Chief Guest of the inaugural function.  Shri. D Haridas, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission, Ms. Khairunnisa, CDS Chairperson, Ms. Shyamala, Shri. Raveendran Poyyakal, Shri. P. Balakrishnan, Ms. P.S. Sakeena and Shri. Udayakumar, Ward Members also participated in the function.

Auxiliary Groups were started to bring young women between the ages of 18 and 40 with the Kudumbashree system. Kudumbashree extends all kinds of assistance to the Auxiliary Group members in providing them with means of livelihood according to their educational qualification. It is expected that Vidya's Enterprise will be an inspiration for all other Auxiliary Group Members to start enterprises and earn income according to their educational qualification. Kudumbashree will give all possible support to those efforts.

Wayanad district bagged the Overall Championship in 'Thillana', the State Level BUDS Festival with 43 points. Thrissur district came in the second place with 37 points and Ernakulam district came in third place with 27 points respectively. The closing ceremony of the festival was inaugurated by Adv. A.N. Shamseer, Speaker, Kerala Legislative Assembly on 21 January 2024. He also presented trophies to the winners.

The State Arts Festival of the beneficiaries of BUDS Institutions for differently-abled students was started when Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excide Department inaugurated the programme at Government Brennan College, Thalassery, Kannur district on 20 January 2024. There were 18 events in four venues.

On inaugurating the State Level BUDS Festival, the minister said that Sports Festival will be organized for BUDS School beneficiaries from next year onwards alike the Arts Festival. The Minister also inaugurated the Kudumbashree BUDS Themed Stall set up in the campus. Ms. P.P. Divya, President, Kannur District Panchayath presided over the opening ceremony organized at Suryakanthi, the main venue of the Arts Festival. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree explained the project. Shri. P. Balan, Representative of Chief Minister's Constituency inaugurated the exhibition and marketing stall of the products made by the BUDS students. Ms. Shyamala, a student of Kolassery BUDS School presented embossing paint made by her to the Minister. Ms. Sniya Anish presented a dance performance of Kudumbashree Mudra Geetham and staff of BUDS School, Mattannur presented a musical sculpture 'Amma' in connection with the opening ceremony.

The First Batch Training of 'Reflecto 24', the Two Day Training Programme for Kudumbashree CDS Accountants was held. The training of the first batch was organized on 15-16 January 2024 at KILA Campus, Mulagunnathukavu, Thrissur. The two-day training included sessions to improve the finance management of CDSs, file management, Kudumbashree organizational structure and accounting, approach and microfinance activities.

Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree conducted the inauguration of the training online. Ms. Amrutha, Assistant Director, KILA presided over the function. Shri. Nishad, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Shri. Basheer, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.  

111 accountants from Idukki and Kollam districts were part of the first batch of training. Along with the Kudumbashree officials, Ms. Rajeshwari, Ms. Sangeeta Shakti, Ms. Ajitha Shaji, Ms. Jessie and Ms. Anita, Training Team Members gave leadership to the training. 1070 accountants will be trained through 'Reflecto 24' in 8 batches.

Here is another example of how Kudumbashree is a powerful group that is a source of hope and support for those who are going through any situation in our society. Pullur Periya CDS of Kasaragod District has purchased and contributed palliative care equipments worth Rs.75,000 for the care of bed ridden patients. This exemplary activity of Pullur Periya CDS was in connection with the 'Njanumundu Paricharanathinu' State Level Campaign, in which Kudumbashree is also a part, in with respect to this year's World Palliative Care Day.

CDS has procured equipments like wheelchair, air bed, walking stick and walker. Shri. C.K. Aravindan, President, Pullur Periya Panchayath inaugurated the function organized at CDS office. Dr. K.Sunitha, Periya Public Health Centre and Shri. K. Sudevan, Assistant Secretary received the equipments.

Ms. Karthyayani, Vice President presided over the function. Ms. Suma Kunjikrishnan, Chairperson, Health Education Standing Committee, Shri. T.V.Kariyan, Ms. P. Rajini, Shri. A.V. Kunjambu, Shri. M.V. Narayanan, Ms Latha Raghavan, Ms K. Preethi, Panchayat members and Shri. C. Pradeep Kumar, Secretary, Pullur Periya Panchayath also participated in the function. Ms. V.V. Sunitha, CDS Chairperson welcomed the gathering and Ms P.C.Girija, Social Development Sub-Committee Convener delivered the vote of thanks.

'Varakoottam' Painting Programme was organized in the premises of Government Brennan College, Thalassery, Kannur for the promotion of 'Thillana', the State Level BUDS Festival. About 400 BUDS Children will participate in the Arts Festival proposed to be held at four venues in Brennan College during 20-21 January 2024.

Shri. Mohanan M.P, Chairman, Standing Committee, Dharmadam Gram Panchayath inaugurated the programme. Dr. M. Surjith, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission presided over the function. Shri Selvan Meloor, Renowned Painter gave leadership to the programme. Ms. Pushpa. C. V, Chairperson, Health Education Standing Committee, Ms. Bindu. K, Chairperson, Welfare Standing Committee, Ms. Lathika, Ward Member, Ms. Emily James, CDS Chairperson and others participated in the programme.

Shri. A. Sathyanath, Shri. A. Ravindran, Shri. Suresh Babu Panoor, Ms. Priyanka Pinarayi, Painters along with the students of Sacred Heart School also became part of the programme.

One can apply till 17 January 2024 to be a part of the Urban Learning Internship Programme as part of the National Urban Livelihood Mission implemented by Kudumbashree in the state. Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group members get preference.    Internship is available to 69 people, one in each of the 69 municipalities in Kerala. Internship duration is two months. Selected candidates will get a stipend of Rs 8000 per month and a certificate issued by the  Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. For more details, visit the Kudumbashree website link: www.kudumbashree.org/internship

Kudumbashree is also becoming part of 'Njanumundu Paricharanathinu', the State Level Campaign organized from 15 to 21 January 2024 as part of strengthening palliative activities in the state. The message of this year's Palliative Day is 'I am here to care'. The aim of the campaign is to ensure everyone's participation to bring comfort to the inpatients and their families. As part of this, there is a special meeting on 21 January 2024 to discuss the issue of palliative care among more than three lakh NHGs under Kudumbashree in the state.

Kudumbashree is tasked with working with various departments to ensure the necessary care and other support for inpatients across all local self government institutions. For this purpose, more than three lakh social development sub-committee conveners will be active in the field of palliative care. Through them registration of all patients requiring palliative care in each NHGs will be ensured. Also ASHA workers will provide care to all inpatients who require care in connection with the palliative care unit. For this, inpatients will be linked with volunteers in their respective areas.

Kudumbashree works with various departments like Health, Education, Social Justice, Local Self-Government, National Ayush Mission, Department of Indian Medicine, Homoeopathy, Indian Medical Association and voluntary organizations working in the field of palliative care.

Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission in collaboration with District Panchayat has launched a chips unit named 'A Plus' as part of the marketing of value addition of agricultural products. Ms. Sheeja Shashi, President, District Panchayath inaugurated the agri value addition unit under the presence of Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree at a function organized at Nalanda Auditorium, Kozhikode on 13 January 2024.

Various products such as banana chips, tapioca chips, jackfruit chips and sarkaravaratti produced by 14 NHG members of 7 CDSs in the district will be marketed under the 'A Plus' brand. The Production is in Thiruvambady, Chakkittappara, Moodadi, Tiruvallur, Keezhariyur, Kadalundi and Koorachund CDSs.

Adv. P. Gawas, Vice President, District Panchayat presided over the opening ceremony. Ms. R Sindhu, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission welcomed the gathering. Ms. Nisha Puthanpurayil, Chairperson, Health Education Standing Committee. District Panchayath, Shri. Nishad C.C, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Ms. Sathi Kizhakkayil, Panchayath President, Chemencherry, Ms. Bindu Jason, Chairperson, Azhiyoor CDS spoke at the function. Ms. Arathi P.V, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

The State Level Inauguration of Kudumbashree Product Branding was held. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the programme at Rose Launch Convention Centre, Malappuram on 12 January 2024. The Minister said that Kudumbashree products is capable of competing with big brands. 

He performed the State-Level Inauguration of the project to market 15 products such as curry powder, masala powders, grain powders etc produced by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs in a unified manner in the market. The project started in Kannur on a pilot basis is now extended to Malappuram, Kottayam and Thrissur districts. The project will start soon in two districts.

Shri. Ubaidullah, MLA presided over the function. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree  explained the project. Shri. V.R. Vinod IAS, District Collector, Malappuram was the chief guest of the function. Shri. Jafar. K. Kakkooth, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree  Malappuram District Mission presented the innovative unique projects of Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission to the Minister. The Minister also released the third issue of Malappuram District's 'Mathrukam' Digital Magazine.

Ms. Rabia Cholakkal, President, Kodoor Panchayath, Shri. K.N. Shanavas, Ward Member, Ms. P.K. Zainaba, Member, Kudumbashree Governing Body, Ms. Shabna Rafi, CDS Chairperson, Ms V. Bindu, President, District Curry Powder Consortium, Dr. S. Kavitha, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission and Shri. Prasanth Babu, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission participated in the programme. Shri. A.S. Sreekanth, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.