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.

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.