The 121 houses constructed at Alappuzha using CSR fund of Ramoji Film City handed over to beneficiaries. Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala handed over the keys of the houses to the beneficiaries at the programme held at Camelot Convention Centre, Alappuzha on 9 February 2020.

Alappuzha was one of the districts which was severely devastated during the unprecedented floods that happened in Kerala during 2018. Ramoji Film City, headquartered at Hyderabad came forward to support construction of new houses for those who had lost their shelter during the floods. This support came from Ramoji Film City as a sponsorship towards the project ‘I am for Alleppey’, initiated by the then sub collector Shri. Krishna Teja, IAS. Ramoji team offered a sum of Rs 7 crore to Government of Kerala, for the construction of 116 houses. The Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala recommended that the construction of these houses could be done through Kudumbashree. The decision was to entrust Kudumbashree women construction groups for building these houses. Based on this decision, the contract was signed between Executive Director, Kudumbashree and Ramoji Film City officials during April 2019.

As per the agreement, it was decided to build 116 houses using Rs 7 crores. Each house cost Rs 6 lakhs. But Kudumbashree team was able to minimize the expenses and could built another 5 houses in addition. So in total, 121 houses were constructed by Kudumbashree women construction groups at Alappuzha.It is a moment of pride that Kudumbashree team completed the construction of all the houses within 8 months, i.e., much before the predetermined date of completion. The construction of these houses were completed by 215 Kudumbashree women who had received training in construction. A total of 43 construction groups became part of the building process.

It is a moment of happiness that Kudumbashree was able to complete construction of houses for those who lost their shelters during flood. Kudumbashree teams could complete the construction of the houses before the planned schedule. Also, there was no cost escalation (and there was savings, with which additional five houses were also constructed). This would undoubtedly be the golden moment in the history of Kudumbashree women construction groups.

Kerala Budget 2020-21 allocated Rs 1550 Crores for Kudumbashree Mission to implement various programmes of Kudumbashree and  for the welfare programmes for women. Rs 250 is allotted as the Budget allocation and in addition to this, Rs 200 crore is allocated from Rebuild Kerala for livelihood enterprises. Including the financial assistance from the Local Self Government Institutions, Rs 600 crores is the total budget of Kudumbashree. In addition to this, the Centrally Sponsored programmes of Rs 950 crores in the urban areas are also implemented through Kudumbashree.  

The main Budget Mentions regarding Kudumbashree include:

• Bank loans of Rs 3000 crores would be given to the Kudumbashree members at 4% interest rate.
• A total of 1000 hunger free hotels would be opened which would serve lunch at Rs 25  per meal. 
• She Lodges would be started in every towns to ensure safety of the commuting women.
• A total of 200 Kerala Chicken Outlets would be opened.
• 1000 Haritha enterprises would be launched. 
• 50 hotels with daily turnover of Rs.30,000 would be started.
• Management of 500 toilet complexes would be given to Kudumbashree.
•  5000 new enterprises would be launched.
• 14 tribal micro projects in the Alappuzha model would also be started. 
• Organic Farming would be done in 20,000 acres of land. 
• 500 Gender Resource Centres would also be launched. 
• Home Shops would be opened in all districts in Kozhikode Homeshop model. 
• Kudumbashree Internship programme would be started and would be given to Kudumbashree. 
• Kudumbashree Chitties would be started. 
• Pakalveed would be started for 2 or 3 wards  and the 25,000 ELderly NHGs would be connected to this. 
• Rs 35 crores is allocated for BUDS Schools.
• A programme for giving employment to 1.5 lakh people per year will be started through Local Self Government Institutions in non agrarian sector through local ventures. Employment should be created at the rate of one person per thousand persons. Kudumbashree will also become part of this.

The achievements of Kudumbashree were also presented at the Budget Speech. Kudumbashree had contributed much in increasing the visibility of women in the society. The number of Kudumbashree members increased from 40 lakhs t0 45 lakhs and the Bank linkage loan was increased from Rs 5,717 crores to Rs 10,499 crores and the number of enterprises increased from 10,777 to 23,453.The number of farming groups was increased from 54,000 to 68,000. It was stated in the last budget that Kudumbashree would introduce brand based centralized marketing for 12 micro entrepreneurship items. As part of this, agreement has been executed for manufacturing products such as umbrella, coconut products and curry powders on cluster basis with common name and selling it through the outlets of Civil Supplies Corporation. Kerala Chicken has been launched in the market. Already around 1000 poultry units are working under Kudumbashree. Under the brand name „Nutrimix‟, general nutritious food items were introduced in the market. 212 handicraft products were launched online in the market. Also, 275 Building construction units run by women, 206 Multi Task teams, 76 Event Management Teams were started. Agreement has been executed for starting more than 100 “Take-A-Break” centres. 25,000 Elderly NHGs were formed and Snehitha Calling Bell Scheme was launched for the elderly people who stay isolated.

Kudumbashree units excel at the Darjeeling Saras Fair held at Kanchanjungha Stadium, Siliguri, West Bengal from 22 January to 3 February 2020. Kudumbashree had bagged the title of Best Performing State in the 3rd Darjeeling Saras Fair 2020. Smt. Anitha Joshy and Smt, Smitha Shaji, Micro Enterprise Consultants from Idukki received the award for the Best Performing State. A total of four units of Kudumbashree took part in the 3rd Darjeeling Saras Fair 2020. The products of Kudumbahsree were of high demand among the Saras Fair.

2 Micro Enterprise Consultants represented the unit from Kozhikode, and Idukki. The unit from Idukki sold coffee powder and spices. One unit from Malappuram, and yet another unit from Ernakulam which makes Iron and tools also took part in the Saras Fair held at Darjeeling. The Cafe team of Kudumbashree had also bagged the prize for best performance at the Odisha Sisir Saras Fair. The event celebrated the rich cultural, ethnic, cuisine diversity of India and to exhibit India's richness of cultural diversity before world and thereby aims at promoting the tourism prospects of India.

Kudumbashree had joined hands with  NABARD and Bank of India for making available Agri loans for 3000 farming groups to pursue cultivation and other farming activities. It is for catering the various needs in connection with farming and help the women identify better livelihood opportunities in this sector. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the same was signed between Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission, Shri. J.Suresh Kumar, Deputy General Manager, NABARD and Shri. Vimal Kumar .G, Deputy Zonal Manager, Bank of India at Kudumbashree State Mission office on 29 January 2020.

Kudumbashree had made discussions with NABARD for getting the financial assistance for making active 3000 farming groups of Kudumbashree. The farming groups who were suffering due to the shortage of land would get loans upto Rs 10 lakhs without giving any security. The farming groups which do farming by taking land on lease could therefore avail bank loans without submitting the contract of lease. Bank of India would give Bank loans to the farming groups. Based on the regular repayment of this loan, NABARD would give promotional incentive of Rs 2000 each per group to Kudumbashree. The farming groups would be able to improve their farming and make the same active, extend the cultivation to maximum area of land, implement converged agricultural techniques, make value added products, make avail modern agricultural machinery etc and also be able to cater various other needs through this ban loan. It is the duty of the respective district missions to identify the deserving group farming units.For this the officials of the district missions and the representative of Bank of India would work together.

Kudumbashree had been following the process of forming farming groups of women and help them do farming in large area if land and earn better livelihood of their own. NABARD has analysed and identified it was an apt and useful method. NABARD would give needed agro-technical trainings to the community resource persons who work with the women. Project Implementation and Monitoring Committee would be formed and conducted once in 3 months to analyse the development of the project. The committee would include Deputy Divisional Manager, NABARD, Area Manager, Bank of India, Branch Managers of the respective branches, Lead District Manager and the representatives of Kudumbashree. 

It is for the third time that Bank of India came forward to extend financial support to the various programme beneficiaries of Kudumbashree. Presently Bank of India had been associating with Kudumbashree in implementing Pradhan Manthri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Kerala Chicken programmes. Shri. G. Mahesh Kumar, Deputy General Manager, Bank of India, Shri. Parameshwara Iyer.P, Chief Manger, Bank of India, Shri. Rajesh.R, Senior Manager, Bank of India, Shri. Rakesh.V, Manager, NABARD, Shri. Dathan.C.S.,Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Ms. Aiswarya.E,A, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Ms. Arya S.B, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree also attended the function.

An innovative idea was implemented under the leadership of Kudumbashree in the enterprise sector at the Payyanur Municipality of Kannur district of Kerala. The first women security team of NULM/ Kudumbashree was formed in Payyannur under the leadership of Kudumbashree CDS and Payyannur Municipality. It was on realizing that there exists many opportunities for women in this sector, that the team decided to implement this novel idea as part of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission NULM) programme under the leadership of Kudumbashree CDS. At first, as part of forming women security team, the Payyanur team invited applications from those candidates would be interested, if such job opportunities would be evolved. Kudumbashree women welcomed the concept wholeheartedly and a total of 50 applications were received expressing their willingness. Out of the 50 women who applied, 35 were selected and were given two days training. 28 of them were given special uniform and the team was setup. The initiative aims at providing security services in enterprise model. Women security team will be for hire, for surveillance, traffic control and security purposes at auditoriums, shops, marriage functions, trade fairs and other functions.

Within one week of the launch, the team received 3 notable opportunities. The team is all set to extend their services not only in Payyanur Municipality, but also for programmes which would be held all across Kannur district. They will work as security personnel for one or two days as per the need of the client. They are also willing to work as a regular women security personnel at any institutions during day time. The NULM team of Kudumbashree aims at commencing similar enterprises at urban areas where there’s opportunity. The initiative would be the part of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) programme. Kudumbashree Mission is the nodal agency for implementing the centrally designed programme, National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) in Kerala.

The date for submitting entries for 'Kudumbashree oru Nerchithram' Season 3- Photography Competition is extended till 29 February 2020. Kudumbashree Mission launched Season 3 of ‘Kudumbashree oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition for motivating the aspiring photographers and to propagate the activities of Kudumbashree Mission through photographs. 

The contestants may submit photographs that would reflect the priority projects of Kudumbashree Mission. The photographs should reflect the activities of Kudumbashree such as, Kudumbashree Neighbourhood Group meetings, various enterprises run by Kudumbashree women including Kudumbashree canteens and cafes, the farming activities of Kudumbahsree women, the parking management of Kudumbashree women at railway stations and various other spots, the waiting halls managed by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs, house keeping services and the activities of the BUDS institutions etc.

The jury comprising of renowned photographers and officials of Kudumbashree Mission will select the winner. The Award for the Best Photographer will be Rs 20,000. The second prize and third prize will be Rs 10,000 and Rs 5000 respectively. Rs 1000 each will be issued for 10 entries as consolation prizes.

Entries may be send to the mail id kudumbashreeprcontest@gmail.com or may be sent in CD Format to the address, The Executive Director, Kudumbashree State Mission Office, Trida Building, Medical college P.O, Thiruvananthapuram-695011. The name, address, mail id and contact number should be mentioned along with. A short note on the photograph should be attached along with. The photographs should not contain any watermarks. More details of the notification is available in the link : www.kudumbashree.org/photography2020  

The first season of ‘Kudumbashree or Nerchithram’ was  conducted during November- December 2017 and the second season was conducted during February -March 2019 and was a grant success. More than 1200 photographs were received altogether and it is on following the success of the last two seasons of the competitions, that the third season of the Photography Competition is being launched.Kudumbashree Mission which envisions at eradicating poverty through women in Kerala had successfully completed 21 revolutionary years.

As a first of its kind initiative, Food on Wheels, an enterprise that serves tasty food ensuring cleanliness and hygiene, in electric vehicles fixed with mobile kitchen is being launched in Kerala. As part of National Urban Livelihoods Programme (NULM), the new initiative is implemented at the Kalamassery Municipality of Kerala. Three units of ‘food on wheel’ kitchen which comprises of 5 women per unit will start their business at Kalamasseri (Ernakulam District). These 15 members were selected and were given sufficient training, which included capacity building in driving, cooking, customer management and in food service. After training certificate was issued, each unit took Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence.

Each unit had availed a bank loan of Rs.9.50 lakhs for starting these ‘food on wheel’ enterprises. Using this amount, specially designed autos were purchased. Solar panel and modern technology kitchen which has high tech features were fixed on to this auto. Tasty food would be cooked and preserved in this kitchen. Enterprises in the ‘food on wheel’ Rickshaws named ‘Amma Ruchi’ has been started it’s commercial activity by the second week of January 2020. ‘Food on wheel’ units will be parked at selected spots in Kalamassery Municipality without making any hindrance to the traffic. From one mother kitchen food materials including dosa batter would be taken to the three units for preparing the food on the spot.

Biriyani, fried rice and pothichoru would be cooked in the same manner at the mother kitchen and would be brought to these units for sale. These Amma Ruchi mobile kitchens would function based on this concept of mother kitchen and service unit. We hope that these eco friendly enterprises which would serve tasty food to the people without making any pollution would grow as a model in street vending. Other than serving food in the streets, the team is also all set to serve food for functions and events, depending on the orders. It is expected that the ‘Food on Wheels’, the project of Kalamassery Municipality as a part of Kudumbashree's NULM project will be accepted by the public wholeheartedly. We expect that our ‘food on wheels’ enterprise on electric autos fitted with solar energy supported stainless steel kitchen will bring smiles to the 15 families and will provide safe to eat food to customers at Kalamassery.

Tribal Cross Country was held at Attappady under the leadership of Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project. The event was conducted aiming at increasing the aptitude of the tribal community towards sports and for maintaining their physical fitness. 'Towards physical health educational empowerment' was the message of the Attappady Tribal Cross Country. The programme was organised by Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project -Kudumbashree in convergence with district administration, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP), Sports Council, Canara Bank and Perinthalmanna EMS Hospital. The marathon was flagged off by Shri, Arjun Pandyan, Sub Collector, Ottappalam. He had also participated in the Marathon.

229 men and 43 took part in the 10 km Cross Country held between Mattathukaad ITI and Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School, Agali. In the male category, Mahendran.M (36.43 seconds) came first, Vijay.M (40.19 seconds) came second and Varun Kumar ( 40.50 seconds) from Varun came in third place. In the female category, Swetha.D (1.01 hours) from Vandanpara of Attappady came in first place, Sindhu.N (1.03 hours) from Chemmanoor came in the second place and Selvi (1.07 hours)came in the third place. The first prize comprises of Cash Prize of Rs .7000 trophy and 2nd and 3rd prize comprise of cash prize of Rs 5000 and Rs 3000 respectively. The first 10 participants from the men and women category were also presented cash prize of Rs 1000 each and medals.

Smt. Jyothi Anil Kumar, Panchayath President,Puthoor Grama Panchayath, Shri. P. Saidalavi, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakakd District Mission, Smt. Sindhu. V, Project ,Manager, Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project, Smt. Vani Das, Project Officer, ITDP, Shri. Ajesh. K.J, Secretary, DTPC and Shri. Sathyan.T, Principal,Govt. Vocational Higher secondary School, Agali also attended the function. The Cross Country was led by Shri. Sasi Kumar, National Football Referee and Shri, Sebastain.K.J, District Basketball Association.

Kudumbashree had join hands with Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) aiming at ensuring job placements and entrepreneurship development for the rural youth. The convergence activities with RSETI, the initiative of Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) which have dedicated infrastructure in each district of the country to impart training and skill up gradation of rural youth geared towards entrepreneurship development is progressing. In connection with that, a two day workshop was organised for District Mission Co-ordinators, Assistant District Mission Co-coordinators in charge of micro enterprises, Lead Bank Managers and the nodal executives of RSETI all across Kerala. The workshop was inaugurated by Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree. Shri. C.T Santhosh, National Director, RSETI presided over the function.

RSETIs function under the Ministry of Rural Development and the LEAD Banks in each districts with the support of respective state governments. There are upto 56 skill training programmes under every RSETI. They extend skill training to youth in production-service sectors and motivate them to start self employment, The training centres under RSETI comprises of eminent faculties in various sectors and has the best infrastructure. As per this, through the RSETIs in the districts, training would be extended in more diverse sectors, thereby create more micro entrepreneurs. Along with that, actions had been taken to help the micro entrepreneurs earn more income from branding, plastic shredding etc associating with RSETI.

It is planned to extend needed financial support and extend follow up trainings to those entrepreneurs who had been trained through RSETIs and had not become the member of Kudumbashree yet. In addition to that, job training programmes that Kudumbashree women need would be included in the next year's annual action plan of RSETI.

As of now, trainings are extended in bee farming, floriculture, setting up of gardens, production of milk and milk products, poultry farming, motor rewinding, radio-TV repairing, irrigation pump set repairing, photography, videography, cellphone repairing, tractor and power driller repairing, screen printing, computer hardware and DTP etc. Kudumbashree women and rural youth would be benefited out of this training and thereby they could strengthen the entrepreneurial sector.

Kudumbashree publishes Memoirs of Kudumbashree Members (Ormapusthakangal) from 14 districts across the state. Within the first three years of the inception in 1998, Neighbourhood groups, Area Development Societies (Federation of Neighborhood Groups) and Community Development Societies (Federation of Area Development Societies) were formed in all Local Self Government Institutions. The idea of publishing the memoirs of Kudumbashree members was originated in 2018, during the 20th anniversary of Kudumbashree. Government had announced that the memoirs of Kudumbashree members would be published in that year's budget itself.

For sharing the memories of 20 years and for converting the same into a book, Kudumbashree decided to conduct one workshop each in every district. The ‘Writeshops’ were conducted in all districts simultaneously and the same was coordinated by the Public Relations team of Kudumbashree. Kudumbashree CDSs ensured the active participation of Kudumbashree members in the workshop. The workshops were organised at all districts across the state during February-March 2018. Around 500 Kudumbashree members took part in the workshop. The write-ups prepared by the women were given for including in the memoirs. Along with that, stories of those who shared their experiences orally were prepared by Kudumbashree's Public Relations team. Kudumbashree has now published 14 books by compiling the stories received from 14 districts.

On going through these books, one would be able to know about the growth of this organisation, the stories of sacrifices of Kudumbashree members, the start of the changes that Kudumbashree had brought in to the society and also about the substratum of Kudumbashree network in detail. The public may read these books absolutely free of cost from this link: http://www.kudumbashree.org/pages/159, and know about the growth, empowerment and self reliance that a generation had attained through Kudumbashree.