The prizes for the winners of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition 2018-19 (Season 2) was distributed by Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission, Government of Kerala at the function held at Kudumbashree State Mission Office, Thiruvananthapuram on 6 January 2020. Shri. P.P. Ratheesh, Photographer, Mathrubhumi Palakkad unit had bagged the first prize.The Award comprising of Memento, Certificate and cash prize of Rs 20,000 was presented to him.

Shri. E.Riyas from Malappuram came second and Shri. Deepesh Puthiyapurayil from Kasaragod came in the third place. Award comprising of Memento, Certificate and cash prize of Rs 10,000 was presented to Shri.E Riyas and award comprising of Memento, Certificate and cash prize of Rs 5,000 was presented to Shri. Deepesh Puthiyapurayil. The dignity of labour irrespective of age was well captured in Ratheesh's click, whereas Riyas captured the reflection of the hard work of Kudumbashree women creatively yet beautifully. Photograph depicting the unity and hard work of Kudumbashree women made Deepesh selected for the award.

The jury consisting of Shri. B.S Prasannan, renowned Photographer, Shri.Shiju Basheer, Documentary Photographer and former Head of Production, Asiaville News, Smt. U.S. Rakhi, Photo Journalist and Faculty, C-DIT and Smt. M. Rajani Accounts Officer, Kudumbashree Mission selected the winners.

The photographs submitted by Smt. Sujitha.B Mudhakkal, Shri. Arunjyothi Rishikesh Shri. Rakesh Puthur, Shri. Basheer Kaderi, Shri. K. Surendran, Shri. Muhammed Shihab, Shri. Noble Joseph, Shri. Ashok Manalur, Shri. P.V. Shivanandan and Shri. Ayyappan Pranamam were selected for consolation prizes. The consolation comprise comprised of Rs 1000 and certificate.

Kudumbashree Mission which envisions at eradicating poverty through women in Kerala had successfully completed 20 revolutionary years, conducted the photography competition for motivating the aspiring photographers and to propagate the activities of Kudumbashree Mission through photographs. The contestants were directed to submit photographs that reflect the various activities of Kudumbashree Mission. The competition was conducted from 5 February 2019 - 31 March 2019. More details of the competition is published in the website www.kudumbashree.org

For motivating the aspiring photographers and to propagate the activities of Kudumbashree Mission through photographs, Kudumbashree Mission launched Season 3 of ‘Kudumbashree or Nerchithram’ Photography Competition on 1 January 2020. 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 entries should reach Kudumbashree Mission office on or before 5 PM, 1 February 2020. 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 20 revolutionary years.

The first ever transgender canteen in the state was opened at Palakkad district of Kerala jointly by Kudumbashree, Palakkad District Administration and Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala. This project was included in the annual action plan of Palakkad District Panchayat (year 2018-19). This unique initiative started functioning in the premises of the Civil Station, Palakkad.

Kudumbashree, as a part of its ‘special NHG’ project, has two transgender Neighbourhood groups in Palakkad district. The canteen at Palakkad Civil Station would be run by one of them, viz. the ‘Oruma’ Transgender Neighbourhood group. The 10 members of the group were given skill training for running this canteen. The space for the canteen was provided by the district administration. The project was included in the annual plan of Palakkad District Panchayath. The canteen which functions from morning till evening would serve food items like, dosa, idiyappam, puttu, idli, tea snacks, chattikanji, puzhukku etc. This canteen at Palakad district civil station premises could be considered as an example of expanding initiatives for transgender communities with the convergence of various Governmental departments.

Kudumbashree has bagged National Award for efficiently implementing the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) programme in Kerala. Shri. Jaison T.J and Shri. Sudheer K.B, NULM team members received the award from Shri. Durga Shanker Mishra, Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary, Government of India at the function held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 30 December 2019. Kudumbashree has bagged the second place in the National level.

During last year, Kudumbahsree had bagged third prize for effectively implementing the programme in Kerala. It is a matter of pride that Kudumbashree could improve and rise up to the second place. Kudumbashree had been implementing various projects viz., various livelihood programmes, projects for urban street vendors, programmes for the betterment of Kudumbashree system in the urban areas, setting up shelter homes for the urban homeless, skill training for the people in the urban areas and programmes for the formation of enterprises by identifying self employment opportunities etc through the NULM programme.

Kudumbashree had bagged more than 10 Awards during the last 3 years. What makes this award very special from the other awards is the fact that special financial assistance is also sanctioned along with this award. During last year, when Kudumbashree bagged third prize, other than the annual allocation of Rs 23.98 crores, Kudumbashree had received an additional amount of Rs 6 crores as prize money, which is to be used for NULM projects. In addition, Kudumbashree also received Rs 4.8 crores as additional central assistance. This year, Kudumbashree is in the second place and so, along with the annual allocation of Rs 30.99 crores, Kudumbashree had received an additional amount of Rs 9 crores as special prize. The prize money is given as an additional allocation for NULM project. Kudumbashree Mission is the nodal agency for implementing the activities of NULM programme in Kerala.

Plastic would be banned in Kerala from January 2020 onwards. Kudumbashree had already started supporting this initiative with Kudumbashree's micro enterprise units that produce alternative products for plastic. As per the Government Order (G.O(MS) No.7/2019/Cir) plastic would be banned in Kerala from 1 January 2020. Kudumbashree is getting ready to partner in the fight against plastic and thereby make livelihood possible for women. Under the leadership of the respective District Mission Coordinators from the 14 districts of Kerala, Kudumbashree had already started making cloth bags regionally and had started conducting awareness programmes against plastic. The details of the activities of some of the districts are as follows.

Idukki

There are 27 units that are producing cloth bags in Idukki. The details including the address, phone number and production capacity was handed over to Suchithwa Mission and Haritha Keralam Mission. The BUDS institutions in the district are making pen and other products out of paper. There exist a unit in the district that make napkin using cotton and 2 units which produce jute bag and file. At Munnar, an important tourist spot situated in the district, Kudumbashree had set up Haritha Check post. They collect plastic from the tourist vehicles that come to Munnar and give them cloth bags in return. Panchayath would take up the plastic waste then collected. Kudumbashree had also started making cloth bags partnering with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Haritha Keralam Mission and Munnar Grama Panchayath.

Ernakulam

Activities had already been started for making cloth bags through 200 cloth bag making units in the brand name 'Pacha'. The activities are progressing with the partnership of District Administration. 300 units would be ready within one month. 1000+ women would get job opportunity through this. These cloth bags cost from Rs 2 to Rs 50. The cloth bags would be brought to the shops where respective units are located. With the help of the Local Self Government Institutions, these cloth bags would be brought to the outside markets as well.

Kozhikode

There are 22 units in the district that make alternative products for plastic. This includes units that make cloth bags, paper bags and pottery. Following the ban of plastic in the state, activities are progressing to increase the production capacity of these units. Various Local Self Government Institutions are making cloth bags with the help of Kudumbashree women who know stitching and and are distributing the same among the households under the leadership of the respective Community Development Socities (CDSs). The cloth is procured and is given to them. The Local Self Government Institutions are calling for the meetings of the vendors and are producing cloth bags for them as per their needs.

Malappuram

There are 28 micro enterprise units that make paper bag and cloth bags, 2 units that make plates out of palm spathe and 8 units that make carpet and other products from cloth functioning in the district.At 10 BUDS institutions, paper pen, files, notebooks and other products of paper are produced. The catalog was prepared including the details of all these units and was handed over to Suchithwa Mission. Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission had already given instructions to the units which make cloth bags and paper bags to collaborate with maximum number of institutions and make products needed for them. As per the request of the District Administration and Suchithwa Mission, 1.50 lakhs cloth bags would be produced by the units. The 12000 cloth bags needed in the block level would be handed over soon.

Wayanad

On 26 December 2019, an exhibition cum sales mela of different models of cloth bags was conducted along with the Christmas Market at Kalpetta including the apparel units that make cloth bags and also the apparel units that make other products. They had received order from business institutions for cloth bags. Entrepreneurs are visiting various institutions and are giving away the details regarding the units that make cloth bags. Awareness classes were also given about menstrual cups to reduce the usage of sanitary napkins. As part of this activity, 1000 menstrual cups would be distributed associating with Moopainad Panchayath.

Kollam

Associating with the District Administration, Suchithwa Mission and Haritha Keralam Mission, through 140 Kudumbashree Enterprises, Kudumbashree District Mission is trying to make the ban of plastic a great success. These units are capable producing 25,000 bags per day. Loan is made available for these units at 4% interest rate. Arrangements had been made to buy these cloth bags in wholesale rates through District Mission. Cloth bags would be available through Panchayath counters as well.

Thrissur

There are 60 cloth bag producing units in the district. Training is being given to launch more such units.

Palakkad

There are 62 units in the district that make alternative products for plastic. Through these units alternative products for plastic such as cloth bags, paper bags, palm spathe plates, pottery plates, paper pens etc are being produced. Meeting of the office bearers of these units was called in convergence with Haritha Keralam Mission and Suchithwa Mission. 100% plastic free products were selected. The activities for bringing uniformity in the rates of these products is progressing. The exhibition cum sales mela of these production units would be conducted in the upcoming week. Brochure containing the details of these units would be prepared with the help of Suchithwa Mission and would be made available for the vendors and the public.

Kottayam

There are 16 units that make cloth bags in the district. Consortium would be formed by calling the meeting of these units. Through this consortium the needed raw materials for the units would be bought in bulk quantities and would be given to the units. Therefore cloth bags in same model would be produced. In addition to this, Cloth bag units would be formed including the Neighbourhood group members who had received training in cloth bag making. With the help of the block coordinators, the need of cloth bags for all panchayaths would be identified and the orders would be given to the units.

Likewise, various activities are progressing in the remaining districts as well. Through these activities, Kudumbashree is lending a helping hand in fighting back plastic.

'Kudumbashree' branded curry powders would be available in markets very soon. 13 branded items including Chilly powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, rice powders (puttu podi and appam podi), sambar powder, vegetable masala, fish masala, meat masala, chicken masala, atta etc are ready for sale now. As Kudumbashree's micro enterprises are small scale units with decentralized mode of production and because of its spread and scale of units, it was difficult to develop a single brand of product by maintaining same quality and taste consistently. However Kudumbashree took up the challenge of producing branded Kudumbashree product. As a first step, Kudmbashree has launched the first set of Kudumbashree branded curry powders from Kannur. The official launch of branded curry powders was done by Shri. T.P Ramakrishnan, Minister for Labour and Excise, Government of Kerala at the venue of Saras Mela at Kannur on 23 December 2019.

Kudumbashree had decided to take up curry powders and other food items for our ‘branding challenge’. And Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission took up the task. There are more than 30 micro enterprises in Kannur district which are engaged in production of curry powders. They all joined hands together to form a consortium to start the branding process. Kannur district panchayat had given them needed support and sanctioned Rs 30 lakhs as a fund for these units. As a first step, a detailed study of all these 30 micro enterprises were conducted and their gaps were identified. Thereafter, Kudumbashree listed the requirements for producing same quality product in a decentralized manners.

A standard operating protocol has been introduced to all these units to ensure uniform production and quality. With the help of funds received from Kannur district panchayath various equipment’s were purchased. Equipment like blender, mixer machine etc were purchased and were installed in those units where it was necessary. Thereafter Kudumbashree team formed a ‘curry powders and flour mill consortium’ by including all those units. Kudumbashree had extended training to all members and taught them SOP and operation guidelines. Also, all units got GST and FSSI registration. A brand consultant designed the covers, and the consortium took decision for purchase of raw materials in a centralized manner. After completion of all these steps, Kudumbahree had introduced branded Kudumbashree curry powders to the market!

Kudumbashree would find markets for all these branded items. The products would be soon available in supplyco outlets and Lulu Hypermarket. Also,Kudumbashree is planning to introduce more branded items to the markets by forming consortium s in other districts as well. Hopefully, 'Kudumbashree' branded products would reach your homes very soon.

Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission organises 'Nokkukuthi Campaign' against the Human Rights Violations against women,men and transgender communities happening in the society thesedays. Kudumbashree would install scarecrows at various locations in the city as part of the campaign to symbolically mention that, being a socially responsible and socially committed institution, Kudumbashree can't just remain scarecrows and remain mum seeing all such human rights violations.

The campaign is being orgnaised as part of the Gender Self Learning Programme of Kudumbashree and the same would be organised from 26 December 2019 to 1 January 2020. It is planned to install scarecrows at at least 1830 wards in the district. Papers and pens are also placed along with the scarecrows. People may write down about their issues that they wish to share, suggestions and remarks and may pin the same on the scarecrows. The same would be collected and compiled as well. The scarecrows are made by the Kudumbashree women themselves using eco-friendly materials. More than one scarecrow would be placed in every wards. It is planned to call attention seeking meetings in CDS level with the assistance of Local Self Government Institutions on 1 January 2020.

Organised by Kudumbashree Mission Saras Mela, the national food and cultural expo, offering the best of traditional, ethnic food and artistry was kick started at Government Engineering College Ground, Mangattuparambu, Kannur on 20 December 2019. Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the programme. This is the first Saras Mela of this financial year.

Micro entrepreneurs from 28 states and 8 Union territories across the country are taking part in the programme. Around 250 stalls are opened. There are stalls from 28 states viz., Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana etc and also from 8 union territories including Lakshadweep. Also there are 130 stalls of Kudumbashree micro enterprises as well. In addition to this, there would be food courts that make the concept of 'India on your Plate' a reality. A total of 22 catering units from 15 states across the country would serve food to the visitors through 22 counters and introduce the cuisines from different parts of the country. 11 Kudumbashree units would serve the Kerala cuisines.

The handicrafts that would showcase the heritage and culture of each states, art forms, jewelry, fabrics, utensils etc would be for sale at the Saras Mela. Apart from the sales stalls, several food stalls are opened for offering cuisines from different states across the country. Different ethnic cuisines from different states across the country would offer a new experience to the people. The programme strictly follow the green protocol and is opened from 10 AM to 10 PM.

Adding more colour to Kerala's festive days, Saras Mela is being an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Entry to Saras Fair is absolutely free. Saras Fair would not only be a platform for the micro entrepreneurs to find market for their rural products, but also, this national festival would act as a platform which arrange the get together of the diverse yet secular culture of our country.

The Saras fair, which is being conducted by the Kudumbashree Mission in cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State government is a 11 long days stretched exhibition cum sale programme. The objective of the fair is to ensure market for rural entrepreneurs and to provide an opportunity to sell their products without any interference of any second person. Through this fair the rural artisans, craftsmen, and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups (SHG) across India would be able to exhibit and sell their products directly with customers, thereby earning additional income as well as a significant exposure. Saras Mela of Kannur would be an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Undoubtedly, Saras Mela would add more colour to the festive days of Kerala. The mela would come to an end on 31 December 2019.

Kudumbashree has bagged the national award for the successful implementation of DDU-GKY programme in Kerala for the third time in a row. This time also, Kudumbashree bagged the award by being the second best state nodal agency for implementing the DDUGKY program. This is for the third time that Kudumbashree is bagging the award. Therefore, Kudumbashree is indeed in the joy and glory of bagging yet another National Award for the efficiency. Kudumbashree had received the award for the 2nd Best State, which implemented DDU-GKY skill training programme in India. Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission received the award from Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Rural Development, Government of India in the presence of the higher officials from Ministry of Rural Development including Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development at the programme held at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi. 10,972 out of the 13,702 trained youth had secured job placements during 2018-19. Out of them, 258 candidates have secured international job placements.

The Award is constituted by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) for the nodal agencies which implementing Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) skill training programme efficiently and effectively. During 2016-17, Kudumbashree has bagged the 3rd Prize and during 2017-18, Kudumbashree was awarded 2nd Prize. A two stage process was employed by the Award committee for ranking the states based on their performances during last year. Score for achieving training target for the last financial year, score for achieving placement target for the last financial year, score for assessed against trained, score for certified against assessed, score for fund installments, score for training centre capacity utilization, score for inspections done, score for utilization of funds, score for engagement of Technical Support Agency, HR score, usage of MIS, score for timely commencement (PAC to MoU), score for timely commencement (MoU to fund release),score for sanction ( EC approved against sanctioned), State's contribution to National Performance ( Training), State's contribution to National Performance ( Placement), Initiatives or Best Practices etc were the parameters considers for screening the applications etc were considered in the first stage and in the second stage, the presentation on the implementation of programme was done by the states. It was based on the scores attained by the states in two stages the awards were decided.

Kudumbashree had devised various field level and policy level innovations for the successful implementation of the programme in the state. DDUGKY, the skill training and placement programme under the Ministry of Rural Development ( MoRD) occupies a unique position amongst the other skill training programmes due to its focus to the poor rural youth and its emphasis on sustainable employment through the prominence and incentives given to post placement tracking, retention and career progression.

'SAMA' programme is launched offering educational opportunities for Kudumbashree women to complete their school education.‘SAMA’ is the new project from Kerala State Literacy Misison (Saksharatha Mission), envisaged as a convergence project of Kudumbashree Mission and local self governments.The programme was launched by Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala at Thiruvananthapuram on 17 December 2019.

SAMA aims at teaching and training to those neighborhood group members could not study up to class 10 or class 12 because of their life circumstances, so as to write equivalency exam of class 10 and class 12. In the first stage of SAMA project, 50 Kudumbashree members from each panchayath who were not clear class 10 would be selected. Also 50 members would be selected who are desirous of clearing class 12. In the next stage, each local body would be motivated and request to earmark funds for their study course.

The total free required for class 10 equivalency classes is Rs 2250. This includes the course fee of 1750 and an exam fee of Rs 500 Local bodies will have to earmark Rs. 1,12,500 for a batch of 50 people. The total course fee required for class 12 equivalency is Rs 4,400 for two years. Adding fees of Rs 1500 which Literacy Mission charge for conduct of exam, the total expense per candidate will be Rs 5900 for class 12 exam. For a batch of 50 students, local bodies will have to earmark Rs. 2,95,000. Once local bodies keep Rs 4,07,500, a total of 100 Kudumbashree members can start learning. Local bodies may keep it as a component of their women component plan or general plan. Upon receipt of the fund’s, Literacy Mission will start their course work.

If 1000 local governments of Kerala keep funds for teaching 100 Kudumbashree members each, it will result in higher education and receipt of equivalency certificate for 1 lakh members. This higher education will lead to more women empowerment as it will boost the confidence and pride of Kudumbashree members. Classes are planned from January 2020 onwards. After 10 months of study, there will be exams in November 2020. (Class 10 exam and class 11 exam). Those clearing Class 11 can study for class 12 from January 2021 to Nov 2021, completing their two years of ‘Plus 2’ education. They can appear for class 12 equivalency exam in Nov 2021.

In addition to the effort to provide higher education for more than 1 lakh Kudumbashree members, SAMA also plans for appointing two Kudumbashree members as course coordinators at panchayat level. This will provide opportunity for them to coordinate the course through their leadership. The District Mission Coordinators of respective districts are in the process of getting convergence from local bodies for earmarking of funds for SAMA project. It is expected to cross the milestone of 1 lakh registrations by the mid of January. Kudumbashree aspire that the dream empowerment through education would therefore be fulfilled through SAMA programme.