The BUDS Children from Kollam had setup a Medicinal Plants Garden of their own. The children of the Thanal BUDS Rehabilitation Centre of Vettikavala Panchayath of Kollam district of Kerala had indeed succeeded in setting up a medicinal garden which would go on par with one at an ayurvedic hospital. The idea of setting up a medicinal garden was suggested by Smt. Santhi, who works as a teacher at Thanal BUDS Rehabilitation Centre.

The other staff and children also supported the plan. In the first phase, medicinal plants were collected from the localities of their houses. With the help of friends and well wishers, more plants were collected and the garden was setup. The garden includes more than 100 medicinal plants including dashapushpam, chathuravalli, nilambana, kayyonni, uzhinja, keezharnelli, kasthuri manjal etc. The BUDS children were active in planting the medicinal plants, watering them and taking care of the plants on regular basis. The medicinal plants garden includes rare species of plants as well. On identifying that cultivation can bring in mental and physical development of the BUDS and BRC children, Kudumbashree had been promoting 'Sanjeevani Agri Therapy' for the past two years. But the children had had brought in a new model through this medicinal plants cultivation. On identifying the positive changes in the children, the teachers have set up a water lily pond and a lawn in the medicinal plant garden.

BUDS Schools are free and open special schools for mentally challenged children of poor families, owned and managed by the Local Self Government Institutions under the support and guidance of Kudumbashree Mission and the community structure. Whereas, BUDS Rehabilitation Centres (BRCs) are day care centres for mentally challenged persons which are intended to fill a gap in the State’s existing system for providing care to the mentally challenged that caters only to persons up to 18 years of age. BRCs are meant for those who have already undergone special education through BUDS Schools or other centres. However, centres are also open to mentally challenged children who are unable to attend schools. BRCs are meant to train and support persons with special needs for equipping them with skills that make them employable.

The taste and ethnic cuisines of Kudumbashree women also marked the crease in the 2nd T20 between India and West Indies match at Green Field Stadium, Kariyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram on 8 December 2019. The 20-20 cricket match between India and West Indies was indeed a moment of pride for Kudumbashree too. ‘Kerala Cricket Association’ had entrusted Kudumbashree for serving the food to the cricket lovers who came to the stadium to watch the match. 9 units of Kudumbashree had set up 18 counters for serving the food to around 25,000 people in the gallery at the cricket stadium. Sales of Rs. 4.5 lakhs was the sales recorded from the stalls.

When the one day cricket match was held at the same stadium between India and West Indies, during November 2018, Kudumbashree was entrusted with the food supply. 7 Kudumbashree catering units served food at that time and a sale of around Rs 4 lakhs was recorded. The professionalism of the Kudumbashree units and the quality of the food they served had helped them earn yet another huge opportunity this time. Even before that, when Green field stadium hosted its debut International Cricket Match, between India -New Zealand (20-20 match which was held on 7 November 2017), Kudumbashree units had an entry to sell food at a smaller scale.

Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission was entrusted with the supervision of the 18 food outlets. Though the match was started at 7 PM, the public entry started from 4 PM itself. So Kudumbashree's team was all set from 3 PM itself. The food and snacks were prepared by 9 units viz. Shruthi, Samudra, Big Beats, Anamika, Jiyas Food, Prathyasha, Samjees, Anugraha and Shreesailam units of Kudumbashree. They had prepared Kappa, fish curry, chicken biriyani, vegetable biriyani, chappathi, chicken curry, vegetable curry, cutlet, steam cooked snacks etc for the distribution through various counters. All the units of Kudumbashree had observed ‘Green Protocol’ throughout the event. Plastics and disposables were completely avoided and the food was served in steel glasses and steel plates, avoiding waste of disposables and plastics.

Kudumbashree Mission joined hands with Indian Overseas Bank for providing loans to 15,000 families as per the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) of PMAY before March 2022. The loan would be issued within three years. The MoU regarding the same was signed between Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission and Shri. E. Rajkumar, Chief Regional Manager, Indian Overseas Bank at Kudumbashree State Mission office on 5 December 2019. Kudumbashree Mission had already associated with Axis Bank, Bank of India and ICICI Bank for CLSS. As per this, 20,353 families from 93 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Kerala had already been issued bank loan. Kudumbashree is the nodal agency for implementing PMAY-LIFE programme in Kerala.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is an initiative by Government of India through which affordable housing will be provided to the urban poor by 2022. CLSS can be called as interest subsidy scheme under PMAY that is given to people for home construction, purchase, extension and improvement. Those who are permanently living in any urban areas in India continuously for three years and those who do not have permanent houses can only apply for CLSS. As per this scheme, those families who have annual income upto Rs 6 lakhs (Economically Weaker Section) will get bank loan upto Rs 6 lakhs with interest subsidy of 6.5%. Families with annual income of Rs 6 lakhs- RS 12 lakhs (Middle Income Group 1) may get bank loan upto Rs 9 lakhs with interest subsidy of 4%.Families of annual income of Rs 12-18 lakhs (Middle Income Group 2) may get bank loan upto Rs 12 lakhs with interest subsidy of 3 %. The repayment tenure of all banks would be 20 years.

Smt. Roshni Pillai, Smt. M Bhavana State Programme Managers, PMAY, Smt. K. Prathibha, Urban Infrastructure Specialist, PMAY, Shri. Krishna Kumar, Chief Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, Shri. Wilson Thomas, PRO, Indian Overseas Bank, Smt. Mini Oommen, Senior Manager, Kuravankonam Branch, Indian Overseas Bank, Smt. Maya Parvathy, Manager, Peroorkkada Branch, Indian Overseas Bank, Smt. Sheeba, Manager, Pattom Branch, Indian Overseas Bank, Smt. Divya, Manager, Ulloor Branch, Indian Overseas Bank, Smt. Priya, Marketing Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, Smt. Sangeetha, Manager, Indian Overseas Bank also attended the function.

Kudumbashree's micro entrepreneurs have excelled at the Kerala State School Youth Festival held at Kanhangad of the Kasaragode district of Kerala from 28 November 2019 to 1 December 2019. Kudumbashree had partnered with the Kerala State School Youth Festival by providing food services and Kudumbashree entrepreneurs have earned more than Rs 15 lakhs through their hard work.

The Director of General Education and the Organizing Committee of the Kerala State School Youth Festival gave Kudumbashree the permission to operate Kudumbashree food courts and juice stalls at the premises of the School Youth Festival venues. 35 Cafe Kudumbashree units had set up 17 food-juice stalls at the venues of the 60th State Youth Festival. The food-juice courts were functioning at 17 venues of Kerala School Youth Festival. Kudumbashree's cafe outlets had served tea, coffee, snacks, varieties of juices, payasam, avil milk etc. The ‘Ethnic Food Court’ which served traditional food had also attracted as many visitors. In addition to this initiative, Harithakarmasena of Kudumbashree had opened ‘watermelon juice’ stalls at all the 28 venues/ locations. 112 Harithakarmasena members had provided their service in these juice stalls.

Kudumbashree units have been regularly receiving opportunities to serve food at big events and functions which are attended by more than thousands of people. When the India- West Indies One Day Cricket Match was held at the Green Field Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram during November 2018, ten units of Kudumbashree served food in the venue to around 7000 people through 11 counters. Kudumbashree had also received the opportunity to serve food at the meeting of Navakerala Mission which was attended by around 3000 people’s representatives. Kudumbashree entrepreneurs are receiving series of bigger opportunities to showcase their strength and hard work thesedays.

Kudumbashree Mission joins hands with ICICI Home Finance Company (ICICI-HFC), the home finance wing of ICICI Bank for providing loans to 7000 families as per the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) of PMAY before March 2021. The MoU regarding the same was signed between Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission and Shri. Kayomarz Dotivala, Head, National Business (Distribution) ICICI-HFC at Kudumbashree State Mission office on 22 November 2019. Kudumbashree Mission had already associated with Axis Bank and Bank of India for CLSS. As per this, 20,343 families from 93 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Kerala had already been issued bank loan. Kudumbashree is the nodal agency for implementing PMAY-LIFE programme in Kerala.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is an initiative by Government of India through which affordable housing will be provided to the urban poor by 2022. CLSS can be called as interest subsidy scheme under PMAY that is given to people for home construction, purchase, extension and improvement. Those who are permanently living in any urban areas in India continuously for three years and those who do not have permanent houses can only apply for CLSS. As per this scheme, those families who have annual income upto Rs 6 lakhs (Economically Weaker Section) will get bank loan upto Rs 6 lakhs with interest subsidy of 6.5%. Families with annual income of Rs 6 lakhs- RS 12 lakhs (Middle Income Group 1) may get bank loan upto Rs 9 lakhs with interest subsidy of 4%.Families of annual income of Rs 12-18 lakhs (Middle Income Group 2) may get bank loan upto Rs 12 lakhs with interest subsidy of 3 %. The repayment tenure of all banks would be 20 years.

Smt. Roshni Pillai, Smt. M Bhavana State Programme Managers, PMAY, Shri. K. Kumar, Municipal Finance Specialist, PMAY, Smt. K. Prathibha, Urban Infrastructure Specialist, PMAY, Smt. Susan Mathew, Zonal Business Manager, ICICI-HFC, Shri. Deepu Jose, Regional Manager - Alliance, ICICI-HFC, Shri. Ajeesh A S - Regional Head Instituional Business, ICICI Bank and Shri. Aravind Haridas, Chief Manager, Institutional Business, ICICI Bank also attended the function.

The Balakrishi of the Balasabha students from Kasaragod has set a unique mark. The Balasabha students of the Chemmanad Gramapanchayath CDS of the Kasaragod district of Kerala have set a model by doing Balakrishi in their Panchayath. The 14 students of the Balasabha of Chemmanad Grama Panchayath did cultivation in 8 cents of land available at Perumbla Patteri Tharavad of Chemmanad Grama Panchayath during the free time available after school and during holidays. The children were able to produce poison free vegetables are rice and thereby ensured rain water conservation, nature conservation and retaining the organic nature of the soil. On seeing the enthusiasm of the Balasabha children, the CDS, public and Kasaragod District Mission also extended their support the children in their endeavor. The little farmers were able to cultivate 96 Kg of rice.

Balasabha is a collective attempt of children to ensure their participation in the democratic space at the local Government level and in their community. The prime objective of constituting Balasabhas is to prevent inter-generational transmission of poverty through capability enhancement of children. Small Learning Groups for experimental and systematic learning, opportunities for understanding democratic process, participation in conserving environment, enabling children to unfold the intricacies of collectivization are the basic focal points of Balasabha. Balakrishi is the special agricultural activity organised by Balasabha as a look back to the farming culture of Kerala.

Kudumbashree has been excelling in India International Trade Fair (IITF), which is being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 14-27 November 2019. Organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the nodal trade promotion agency of the Government of India, the event was kick started when Shri. Nitin,Gadgari, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India inaugurated the 39th edition of IITF on 14 November 2019.

Kudumbashree has been participating in IITF since 2002 and had been setting up the food court since 2012. During 2013, Kudumbashree was the gold medal winner and also the Silver medal winner in 2014 which was constituted by ITPO. Kudumbashree has been the Best Stall Winner in all these years, which was instituted by Information Public Relations Department (I&PRD). This year also, Kudumbashree bagged the First Prize for the Best Commercial Stall in the Kerala Pavilion.

At the product stall at the Kerala pavilion the products from Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikkode and Palakkad districts were exhibited and sold. There were 6 Micro Enterprise Consultants (MECs) representing Kudumbashree at the product stall. At the Food court there were 2 units from Thiruvanathapuram and Malappuram districts participating and there were 7 members along with the AIFRHM (Adebha Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management) team. At the IITF, there were 7 stalls of Kudumbashree including the ones from Ernakulam, Palakkad, Thrissur, Kottayam, Kollam districts and Attapady. There were 14 members participating from Attappady. Dr. T.M Thomas Isaac, Minister for Finance and Coir, Government of Kerala, Shri. T.N.Prathapan, MP, Miss. Remya Haridas,MP, Adv. A.M Ariff, MP and Shri. A. Sampath visited the stalls.

In line with the theme 'Ease of Doing Business', Kudumbashree depicted the entrepreneurship development through Kudumbashree. IITF is a major tourist attraction and lakhs of people visit the fair every year. This annual event provides a common platform for the manufacturers, traders, exporters and importers. The fair displays comprises a wide range of products and services including automobiles, coir products, jute, textiles, garments, household appliances, kitchen appliances, processed food, beverages, confectionery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics, body care & health care products, telecommunication, power sector, electronic sector, furniture, home furnishings, sporting goods, toys, and engineering goods. Ever since its inception in 1980, IITF has been evolved as a major event for the business community. The event is held between 14–27 November every year at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India. 'Ease of Doing Business', is the theme of 39th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2019. IITF will come to an end on 27 November 2019.

Project worth Rs 250 crores have been sanctioned specially for Kudumbashree. Government Order (G.O(MS) No.28/2019/PEA) regarding the same has been issued approving the special package of Rs 250 crores for Kudumbashree for livelihood generation and flood relief activities.The proposal for Rs 250 crores include Rs 45 crores for the flood relief activities and Rs 205 crores for livelihood generation activities. Some key programmes for livelihood promotion approved in this special package include projects for skill development, Kerala Chicken Programme, and Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP). After the unprecedented floods of 2018, Kudumbashree has been framing new projects for livelihood generation. Kudumbashree had already submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Action Plan to Rebuild Kerala Initiative (RKI) in this regard. Action Plan for the special programme which would be implemented with the financial support of World Bank has been approved.

There had been a steady growth in the budget allocation for poverty alleviation and livelihood activities through Kudumbashree Mission during the past years. During 2016-17 Kudumbashree Mission's budget was Rs 131 crores. In 2017-18 the allocation increased to Rs 161 crores. During the financial year 2018-19, the annual allocation for Kudumbashree was Rs 188 crores and during 2019-20 it is Rs 253 crores. Out of this Rs 253 crore, Rs 181 crore is for regular activities, and Rs 75 crores was the Special Livelihood Package for flood rehabilitation.

Kudumbashree Mission organises Gothrapperuma 2019 at Kerala Legislative Assembly Complex for selling the branded products of the tribal communities at Kerala Legislative Assembly Complex, Thiruvananthapuram on 20 and 21 November 2019. The 'Exhibition cum Sales Mela' of the branded tribal products for the members of the Kerala legislative assembly is being organised near the 5D Hall at Kerala Legislative Assembly Complex. The branded products from the tribal areas of Attappady, Athirappally and Idukki are for sale at the exhibition cum sales fair. The traditional products and agro based value added products of tribal communities have general acceptance and are of high demand among the general public. It is on this background their products were branded and brought for sale.

The agro products produced by the Gothrasamithis of Attappady is branded in the name 'Hill Value' and the products of the Kadar community of Malakkappara/Athirappally area is branded as 'Kananam Athirappally'. Whereas, the products of the tribal community of Idukki is brought to the market in the brand name 'Kuravan Kurathi'. The products under 'Hill Value' brand include coffee, turmeric powder, coriander powder, chilli powder, pickles, njavara, cardamom, clove, brindleberry, ragi, chama, thina, amara, thumara, tamarind, pepper, kungilyam, honey, sesame, cinnamon and the products under 'Kuravan Kurathi' brand includes Stingless bee honey, ragi and brindleberry. Honey, coffee and pepper are the main products branded under 'Kananam Athirappally' brand.

The National Workshop on Elderly Friendly Communities organised by Kudumbashree associating with Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) was inaugurated by Shri A.C. Moideen, Minister for Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram on 19 November 2019. The workshop has been conceived in the context of the challenges posed by demographic transition. The workshop will conclude with a plenary session addressed by Smt K.K. Smt. K. K. Shailaja Teacher, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Kerala in the afternoon session scheduled to be held on 20 November 2019. Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan IAS, Principal Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala will chair the plenary session. The technical sessions will feature national and international experiences and various knowledge domains.

The National Workshop will bring together the expertise of people specializing on the issues relating to the elderly population together, draw from the experiences of elderly-friendly initiatives across the country and outside, and help develop checklists that would work as practical guides at the field level for local level planning and action. The workshop will examine the demographic transition that Kerala is undergoing and the challenges that it poses as the proportion of the elderly rises in the state’s population. The social implications of demographic transition and the readiness that the healthcare system has to ensure will be examined at the seminar.

There will be sessions that feature the issues of developing a reliable system for geriatric care which will look into specific challenges of mobility and active ageing.The workshop will also examine the social justice dimension of ageing and health care for the elderly by throwing light on the vulnerable sections of the society. It will probe dementia as a special topic as the condition poses specific challenges to elderly care in general and healthcare in particular. Technological challenges and trends in assistive technologies will also be discussed. The workshop will deliberate on the emerging ‘care economy’, exploring the economic and social challenges and opportunities in care-giving and palliative care. Different models from the public sector as well as not-for-profit and private sectors will be examined. Various models that have emerged in the sector through local government initiatives will be presented and discussed as part of this. The workshop is expected to help in developing new strategies and programmes for moving towards elderly-friendly communities.

The participants of the workshop would include experts, administrators, agencies and institutions working on issues relating to the elderly, elderly-care, palliative care, and nursing care. Local governments and Kudumbashree Community Development Societies with experience in running similar programmes will be invited to share their experiences at the workshop.