Kudumbashree's Art Festival 'Arangu' showcased the inherent talents of Kudumbashree Women. Kasaragod District bagged the award for the best performance at Arangu Art Festival with 128 points. Kannur and Kozhikode district came in the second and third place with 93 and 65 points respectively. Arangu 2019 was kickstarted when Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the festival at Palakkad on 1 November 2019. The three day Arts Festival took place at the 6 venues named Karuthamma (Govt. Victoria College, Palakkad), Indulekha (Govt. Moyans LP School, Palakkad), Suhara (Fine Arts Society, Palakkad), Nanimistress (Govt. Victoria College Auditorium, Palakkad), Sumithra (Govt. Victoria College Auditorium, Palakkad), Chemmarathi (Govt. Victoria College Ground, Palakkad). The Mime and Drama Competitions were held at Chembai Memorial Government Music College, Palakkad.

1904 women from 14 districts across the state took part in 34 competition items. The competitions were arranged in Junior and Senior sections. Those within the age limit 18-35 came under the junior section and those above 35 years were considered in the Senior section. Light Music, Fancy Dress, Mappila Pattu, Mono Act, Folk Dance, Mimicry, Elocution, Recitation, Drawing (Pencil), Poetry Writing, Drawing (Water Colour), Story Writing, Cartoon, Collage, Kathaprasangam, Group Song, Group Dance, Folk Song, Drama, Oppana, Margamkali, Thiruvathira, Skit, Mime and Shinkarimelam were the 34 competition items in which the women competed with each other.

More than 2500 Kudumbashree women took part in the procession organised prior to the inaugural function. Kudumbashree members from Palakkad district handed over the cheque of Rs.18,51,000 to Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister for Local Self Governments, Government of Kerala towards Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) during the inaugural function. The Art Festival became an opportunity for the women to present their artistic talents before the society. Arangu 2019, the three day Arts festival of Kudumbashree Mission had indeed stolen the hearts of the art lovers of Palakkad.

Kudumbashree's Art Festival 'Arangu' was kick-started at Palakkad. Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the festival at Palakkad on 1 November 2019. Shri. K. Krishnankutty
Minister for Water Resources, Government of Kerala presided over the function. Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree Mission introduced Kudumbashree's Art Festival- 'Arangu' to the public. The Art festival is organised by Kudumbashree Mission in association with Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala. More than 2500 Kudumbashree women took part in the procession organised prior to the inaugural function. Kudumbashree members from Palakkad district handed over the cheque of Rs.18,51,000 to Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister for Local Self Governments, Government of Kerala towards Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) during the function.

The three day Arts Festival will take place at the 6 venues named Karuthamma (Govt. Victoria College, Palakkad), Indulekha (Govt. Moyans LP School, Palakkad), Suhara (Fine Arts Society, Palakkad), Nanimistress (Govt. Victoria College Auditorium, Palakkad), Sumithra (Govt. Victoria College Auditorium, Palakkad), Chemmarathi (Govt. Victoria College Ground, Palakkad). In addition to this, Drama Competitions would be held at Chembai Memorial Government Music College, Palakkad.

1904 women from 14 districts across the state will take part in 34 competition items. The competitions are arranged in Junior and Senior sections. Those within the age limit 18-35 would come under the junior section and those above 35 years would be considered in the Senior section. Light Music, Fancy Dress, Mappila Pattu, Mono Act, Folk Dance, Mimicry, Elocution, Recitation, Drawing (Pencil), Poetry Writing, Drawing (Water Colour), Story Writing, Cartoon, Collage, Kathaprasangam, Group Song, Group Dance, Folk Song, Drama, Oppana, Margamkali, Thiruvathira, Skit, Mime and Shinkarimelam are the 34 competition items in which the women would compete with each other.

Shri. Balamurali IAS, District Collector, Palakkad, Shri. V. K Sreekandan M.P, Smt. Prameela Sasidharan, Chairperson, Palakkad Municipality, Padmashri Shivan Namboodiri, Renowned Koodiyattom Artist, Shri, Mundoor Sethumadhavan, Famous Writer, Smt. K.P.M Pushpaja, Governing Body Member and other dignitaries also attended the function. Shri. Shafi Parambil, MLA welcomed the gathering and Shri. P. Saithalavi, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission extended vote of Thanks. 'Arangu'- Kudumbashree's Art Festival is being an opportunity for the women to present their artistic talents before the society.

Palakkad is all set to host Kudumbashree Mission's Arts Festival 'Arangu' which is proposed to held at Palakkad from 1-3 November 2019. Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala will inaugurate the festival at Govt.Victoria College, Palakkad on 1 November 2019. The registrations for various programme items are progressing at Hotel Gazala, Palakkad.

The three day Arts Festival will take place at the 6 venues named Karuthamma (Govt. Victoria, Palakkad), Indulekha (Govt. Moyans LP School, Palakkad), Suhara (Fine Arts Society, Palakkad), Nanimistress (Govt. Victoria College Auditorium, Palakkad), Sumithra (Govt. Victoria College Auditorium, Palakkad), Chemmarathi (Govt. Victoria College Ground, Palakkad). In addition to this, Drama Competitions would be held at Chembai Memorial Government Music College, Palakkad.The stage arrangements of the different venues are almost completed.

1904 women from 14 districts across the state will take part in 34 competition items. The competitions are arranged in Junior and Senior sections. Those within the age limit 18-35 would come under the junior section and those above 35 years would be considered in the Senior section.  Light Music, Fancy Dress, Mappila Pattu, Mono Act, Folk Dance, Mimicry,  Elocution, Recitation, Drawing (Pencil), Poetry Writing, Drawing (Water Colour), Story Writing, Cartoon, Collage, Kathaprasangam, Group Song, Group Dance, Folk Song, Drama, Oppana, Margamkali, Thiruvathira, Skit, Mime and Shinkarimelam are the  34 competition items in which the women would compete with each other.

A competition  was held for designing the logo for Arangu Arts Festival. The logo designed by Shri. Muhammed Safuvan, Student of Azharul Uloom Islamic College, Aluva, Ernakulam was selected as the logo of Arangu Arts Festival from the 13 entries received during the competition.The logo was designed incorporating the ideas of Freedom, Equality and Participation. The Arts Festival would be an opportunity for the women to present their artistic talents before the society. The Arts festival is organised by Kudumbashree Mission in association with Local Self Government Department.  More than 2000 Kudumbashree women would take part in the procession which is proposed to be held prior to the inaugural function.

Kudumbashree handed over the keys of the houses built for the residents of  the Alakkukuzhy Slum of Kollam Corporation, constructed by Kudumbashree women construction groups. Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister for Local Self Governments, Government of Kerala handed over the keys of the houses to the beneficiaries at the programme held at Kollam on 23 October 2019. The 20 families who were living in bad conditions at Alakkukuzhy slum are therefore rehabilitated to newly constructed houses of 500 sqft each. Every houses have two bedrooms, one sit-out, kitchen, hall and bathroom.

Rs 1.70 crores was the total project cost of the Alakkukuzhy project. The Kollam Corporation entrusted the Kudumbashree women construction groups for building these 20 houses one year ago. Kudumbashree women construction group members were able to finish the entrusted work with good quality, keeping up the professionalism. They were able to complete the work with dedication and commitment, two months before the stipulated time and could handover houses to the authorities of Kollam Corporation. The contract regarding the construction of the 20 houses was signed between the Executive Director of Kudumbashree Mission and the Kollam Corporation during November 2018. The construction works were started on 1 January 2019. 

Phoenix Construction group of Kottankara Panchayath of Kollam district of Kerala provided the leadership for the construction activities. In addition to this, Kudumbashree women construction group members from Sasthamkotta, Kallada, Ezhukone, Thrikadavoor also became part of the construction works. The works were completed with the hard work of 32 Kudumbashree women. The Shivashailam of core group and Devi group of Padinjare Kallada had also made their active participations during the construction works. The project worth more than 1 crore was therefore completed by Kudumbashree team keeping up high quality, time limits, and without any escalation of costs. Kudumbashree has written a new story of success in the history of Kudumbashree Mission.

Food service Unit from Attappady and Transgender unit from Ernakulam received special recognition for its efforts in taking towards their social and economic empowerment. The Chaithanya Cafe Unit from Dhaivagund Hamlet of Attappady, Palakkad and Lakshya Juice Corner from Ernakulam bagged the Special Mention Awards during the Valedictory function of the Aajeevika Mela which was held at India Gate Lawns, New Delhi from 10-23 October 2019. The Vanasundari Chicken, the exclusive dish prepared by the cafe had won special mention at the Aajeevika Saras mela.

The Aajeevika India Food Court was organised under the leadership of Ministry of Rural Development, National Rural Livelihoods Mission. Kudumbashree gave leadership to the India Food Court aiming at bringing different flavours of India under one umbrella, extend training to the first generation of selected rural entrepreneurs and mould the next generation of entrepreneurs through them, equip the entrepreneurs with knowledge, and self confidence to take part in big trade fairs and help them earn better income.

Kudumbashree Mission was honoured with a special recognition award for it's efforts in extending the technical support to curate the food court at  Aajeevika Mela held at India Gate Lawns, New Delhi. The Aajeevika Food Court set up by Kudumbashree as part of the Aajeevika Mela came to an end on 23 October 2019  attracting masses. The Aajeevika India Food Court was organised by Kudumbashree from 10-23 October 2019 under leadership of Ministry of Rural Development, National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The fourteen day event witnessed participation of more than 120 entrepreneurs from 19 States. The Food service units from Kerala, Goa and Bihar were awarded first, second and third for their performances respectively in the food court. Food service Units from Attappady and Transgender unit from Ernakulam received special recognition for its efforts in taking towards their social and economic empowerment.   

A closing ceremony was held on 23 October 2019 which was graced by the presence of Director General, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi, Additional Secretary Ministry of Rural Development, Joint Secretary Ministry of Rural Development and Director, National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The closing ceremony was an occasion to remember and honor the efforts of Self Help Group families and the agencies involved in making Saras Aajeevika Mela and Aajeevika India Food Court a grand success. Smt. Navaneetha, one of the entrepreneurs from Telangana shared her experience of participating in Aajeevika India Food Court and how the 14 day experience was a great exposure and knowledge enhancement for her. As part of the closing ceremony, two books, 'Flavors from Rural Heartland', a recipe book and 'From Homemakers to Taste makers- Story of her Deli', a coffee table book on woman entrepreneurs in food service were also launched which were developed by a team of professionals from Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation.

Kudumbashree Mission received a unique opportunity and responsibility to manage and coordinate the food court of ‘Aajeevika Mela’. Kudumbashree was entrusted with the duty of organizing the food fest of the Aajeevika Mela because of the initiative and experience of Kudumbashree in organizing food courts along with trade fairs. The event was a great hit among the Delhi masses who enjoyed the heart-warming cooking of the entrepreneurs and was indeed a golden opportunity to 'taste' different flavours of India.

Nutrition Garden Mobile Unit, the new innovative venture of Kudumbashree was launched at Attappady. Smt. Sreelakshmi Sreekumar, Panchayath President, Agali Grama Panchyath inaugurated the Nutrition Garden Mobile Unit. The Attappady Nutrition Garden Mobile Unit is launched as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project. The organic vegetables, pulses and tubers cultivated at the 10 selected hamlets of Agali as part of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) farm livelihood Programme would be brought to the community kitchen in the hamlets of Attappady. The nutrition gardens are set up to ensure nutrition. 32 Nutrition Garden units had been set up so far. Each unit cultivate in about 2 to 4 acres of land. Kani Gulume, the enterprise unit would collect the products of the Joint Liability Groups and would bring to the community kitchens. It is also planned to extend this initiative to other hamlets as well.

Attappady Special Project (Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project) is the project being implemented by Kudumbashree in the Attappady block of Palakkad district of Kerala. The project aim to uplift the social and economic status of Irula, Muduga and Kurumba tribal communities of Attappady. It was the pilot project of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Ministry Of Rural Development, Government of India, which envisaged the formation of exclusive institutions of tribal people for bringing in sustainable development in Attappady. Kudumbashree functions through women neighbourhood groups (NHGs) aiming at their development and empowerment. Kudumbashree Mission implemented this innovative idea of formation of exclusive neighbourhood groups for the tribal families in Attappady for bringing social development and empowerment. This project, which was launched at Attappady in 2014 with a big vision has moved much forward with many notable achievements in hand.

Kudumbashree would hand over the keys of the houses built for the residents of Alakkukuzhy, constructed by Kudumbashree women construction groups on 23 October 2019. The 20 families who were living in bad conditions at Alakkukuzhy slum would therefore be rehabilitated to newly constructed houses of 500 sqft each. Rs 1.75 crores was the total project cost of Alakkukuzhy project. The Kollam Corporation entrusted the Kudumbashree women construction groups for building these 20 houses one year ago. Kudumbashree women construction group members were able to finish the entrusted work with good quality, keeping up the professionalism. They were able to complete the work with dedication and commitment, two months before the stipulated time and could handover houses to the authorities of Kollam Corporation.

The contract regarding the construction of the 20 houses was signed between the Executive Director of Kudumbashree Mission and the Kollam Corporation during November 2018. The construction works were started on 1 January 2019. Phoenix Construction group of Kottankara Panchayath of Kollam district of Kerala provided the leadership for the construction activities. In addition to this, Kudumbashree women construction group members from Sasthamkotta, Kallada, Ezhukone, Thrikadavoor also became part of the construction works. The works was completed with the hard work of 32 Kudumbashree women. The Shivashailam of core group and Devi group of Padinjare Kallada had also made their active participations during the construction works. The project worth more than 1 crore was therefore completed by Kudumbashree team keeping up high quality, time limits, and without any escalation of costs. When 20 families start living in these houses built by Kudumabshree Women Construction groups, it would be a new chapter in the history of Kudumbashree Mission.

Kudumbashree Mission's Arts Festival 'Arangu' will be held at Palakkad from 1-3 November 2019. Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala will inaugurate the festival at Govt. Victoria College, Palakkad on 1 November 2019. The Arts festival is organised by Kudumbashree Mission in association with Local Self Government Department. More than 2000 Kudumbashree women would take part in the procession which is proposed to be held prior to the inaugural function.

The three day Arts Festival will take place at the 6 venues named Karuthamma (Govt. Victoria, Palakkad), Indulekha (Govt. Moyans LP School, Palakkad), Suhara (Fine Arts Society, Palakkad), Nanimistress (Govt. Victoria College Auditorium, Palakkad), Sumithra (Govt. Victoria College Auditorium, Palakkad), Chemmarathi (Govt. Victoria College Ground, Palakkad). 1904 women from 14 districts across the state will take part in 34 competition items. The competitions are arranged in Junior and Senior sections. Those within the age limit 18-35 would come under the junior section and those above 35 years would be considered in the Senior section. Light Music, Fancy Dress, Mappila Pattu, Mono Act, Folk Dance, Mimicry, Elocution, Recitation, Drawing (Pencil), Poetry Writing, Drawing (Water Colour), Story Writing, Cartoon, Collage, Kathaprasangam, Group Song, Group Dance, Folk Song, Drama, Oppana, Margamkali, Thiruvathira, Skit, Mime and Shinkarimelam are the 34 competition items in which the women would compete with each other.

A competition was held for designing the logo for Arangu Arts Festival. The logo designed by Shri. Muhammed Safuvan, Student of Azharul Uloom Islamic College, Aluva, Ernakulam was selected as the logo of Arangu Arts Festival from the 13 entries received during the competition.The logo was designed incorporating the ideas of Freedom, Equality and Participation. The Arts Festival would be an opportunity for the women to present their artistic talents before the society.

Kudumbashree Mission celebrated International Rural Women's Day. Different CDSs in the state celebrated International Rural Women's Day organizing various programmes. Awareness classes, felicitations for the women who have proved their strengths in various sectors etc were organised in connection with this. The United Nations has dedicated October 15 as the International Day of Rural Women. Starting from agriculture to food security, nutrition, land and natural resource management, domestic care and work, rural women are at the forefront and are taking charge. 'Rural Women and Girls Building Climate Resistance' is the theme for this year.