The logo of 'Thillana', the State Level BUDS Festival which is proposed to be held at Kannur on 20 & 21 January 2024 was launched by Ms. P.P. Divya, President, District Panchayath at District Panchayath on 11 January 2024. More than 300 BUDS children who are district level winners will participate in the Arts Festival organized at Brennan College, Thalassery. There will be 18 categories of competitions.

There are 359 BUDS institutions (BUDS Schools & BUDS Rehabilitation Centres -BRCs) in the state run by Kudumbashree and Local Self Government Institutions for intellectually challenged children. Kudumbashree organizes district and state level BUDS Festivals every year to provide a platform for the children of these institutions to mentally refresh themselves and to showcase their artistic talents.

Dr. M. Surjith, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission, Shri. E.V. Vijayan Master, Shri. Mukundan, F.O, District Panchayath, Shri. Santhosh Kumar, Senior Superintendent, Ms. Arya, Ms. Vinesh. P, District Programme Managers, Ms. Anjana, Ms. Aahlad T, Block Co-ordinators participated in the logo release function. Currently 11,642 students are being supported through BUDS institutions for their daily living, rehabilitation and vocational training.

The first batch of the Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP) as part of the National Urban Livelihood Mission implemented in the state by Kudumbashree started field work from 10 January 2024 onwards. Orientation for them was organized at Kerala State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram on 8 January 2024. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the one-day training programme.

The objective of the internship programme is to evaluate the progress and achievements made in the urban sector of the state through the NULM project and to find innovative ways to further improve the project activities. The interns were selected after screening and interviewing the qualified candidates from the applications received. There are 29 people in the first batch. 26 people will do internship in various municipalities and three people will do internship in Kudumbashree State Mission Office. The internship duration in Urban Local Bodies is two months and  in State Mission is three months. By 25 January 2024,  the rest of the trainees will be selected and the internship programme will be completed in all 93 municipalities. 

They will prepare a report based on the three main topics given by Kudumbashree. It will be submitted to the Central Government. The three topics include how the NULM Scheme implemented by Kudumbashree benefits the urban poor, business opportunities in manufacturing and service sectors and the evaluation of the urban poverty alleviation plan implemented with the urban local bodies for the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24 and preparation of the urban poverty alleviation plan for 2024-25.

Those who come for internship in urban local bodies will conduct necessary studies in these three subjects and collect statistics. Data collection will be done through discussions with municipal officials, public representatives, project implementation officers and project beneficiaries. The responsibility of the interns at the State Mission is to evaluate and collate the information provided by the interns at the municipal level and prepare a final report. A final report will be submitted with recommendations on areas for improvement, including project implementation and quality.

Rs. 8000 per month stipend and a certificate issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will be given to the interns. Shri. Jahamgeer. S, Programme Officer (Urban), Kudumbashree gave leadership to the training programme. Shri. Sudheer K.B, Ms. Meghna S, Shri. Nishanth G.S, Shri. Prithviraj, State Mission Managers and Shri. Shamkrishna, City Mission Manager participated in the programme. 

The second phase of trainings in connection with the activities of Kudumbashree Block Level Micro Enterprise Resource Centres (MERCs) has been completed. MERCs, which are mechanisms for increasing employment and income opportunities for NHG women and ensuring support including financial assistance and technical training, have been started in 13 blocks till now.

The training was provided to 253 persons including Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Consultants, CDS Chairpersons, Assistant District Mission Coordinators, Livelihood Committee Conveners, District Programme Managers and Block Co-ordinators in these blocks. The training was organized in six batches starting from 7 December 2023 to 5 January 2024.

MERCs are a single window system for coordinating and expediting livelihood activities at block level. Call Centre and Help Desk are also attached to MERCs. Kudumbashree started the first MERC in March 2023 at Nedumangad of Thiruvananthapuram district. MERC operations were also started in Idukki (Azhutha), Kottayam (Pallam) and Kasaragod (Kasaragod) districts on the same day itself.

 At present, MERCs are functioning in Chadayamangalam (Kollam), Konni (Pathanamthitta), Muthukulam (Alappuzha), Kothamangalam (Ernakulam), Ollukkara (Thrissur), Alathoor (Palakkad), Vandoor (Malappuram), Vadakara (Kasaragod) and Thalassery (Kannur).  Kudumbashree aims to set up MERCs in 30 more blocks during this financial year.

Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree interacted with the participants of the training programme. Shri. Ranjith Keshav, Corporate Trainer, provided expert training on the topics of enterprise formation, enterprise development and marketing. Shri. A.S. Sreekanth, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree and Ms Suchithra S, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree gave classes on MERCs. Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Team led the training programme.

The trainees made the Talento 24 Job Placement Ceremony and Alumni Reunion organized at Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram on 7 January 2024 as part of DDU-GKY, a free job skill training programme implemented in the state by Kudumbashree, a big hit. Around 3000 people from different districts of the state were part of Talento 24. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister of Local Self-Government and Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Talento 24 Programme. He performed the distribution of offer letters to one thousand trainees through the DDU-GKY scheme and launched the Talento Connect web portal. In his inaugural speech, he said that Kerala is the state with the best human resources and that is why Malayalees can get the best job opportunities in the world.

The Minister also distributed awards to the Best Performing Training Agencies (PIAs), the training agencies providing the maximum number of employment, the Kudumbashree District Missions implementing the DDU-GKY Project activities in the best manner and the best employer.

Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary, Department of Local Self-Government, Government of Kerala delivered the keynote speech at the function presided over by Shri. Kadakampally Surendran, MLA. Shri. Karma Zimpa Bhutia, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Rural Development spoke on the topic, 'DDU-GKY; 'Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow'. A book titled 'Trailblazers' featuring the success stories of 200 people who received skill training and employment through the scheme was also released during the function.

Ms. Arya Rajendran, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation was the Chief Guest of the function. Ms. Sandhya Gopakumaran,

Executive Director, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri. Arun C. Adat, Assistant Commissioner and Ms Smitha Surendran, Member, Kudumbashree Governing Body extended their greetings. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Shri. Pradeep Kumar, Programme Officer, delivered the vote of thanks. A motivational session was conducted by Dr. Mani Paul and students, employers, skill development agency representatives and alumni shared their experiences. Following that, the cultural programmes performed by the students were also staged.

'Kurunthotti' Cultivation has became a big hit at Varavoor. Kudumbashree members cultivated 'Kurunthotti' (Sida Retusa) in seven acres of land in Varavoor CDS of Thrissur district and yielded about 6 tonnes. The marketing is also done through Mattathoor Labor Society at Rs. 75 per kg! The farming was done integrating with the Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Scheme under the leadership of Navara JLG of Trupti NHG.

Kudumbashree members literally celebrated the Kurunthotti harvest which started on 18 December 2023. Ms. P.P. Sunitha, President, Grama Panchayat inaugurated the harvest festival. Ms. P.K. Anitha, Ward Member presided over the function. Ms. P.K. Yashoda, Shri. T.A. Hidayatullah, Chairpersons, Standing committee, Ms. Bindu P.M, Vice Chairperson, Shri M.K. Alfred, Member Secretary, Ms. T.C. Satyabhama, CDS Member, Ms. T.A. Naseema, ADS Chairperson and Kudumbashree members were part of the harvest festival. It was able to create 1087 employment days as per the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. One can also get income by selling Kurunthotti seedlings.

Kudumbashree with further achievement of world records in 2023. Kudumbashree achieved four world records this year on the strength of effective implementation of innovative ideas such as the Largest Thiruvathira, Largest Canvas Painting by Tribal students, Mega Stamping Drama & Most Varieties of Cooked Millet Dishes at Display.

Mega Thiruvathira organized by the Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission during the occasion of Onam, 720 feet long picture drawn by the tribal students of Attappady, Mega Stamping Drama organized on the occasion of the National Saras Mela got the Talent World Record and most recently, the Most Varieties of Cooked Millet Dishes at Display bagged the Best India World Record.

Mega Thiruvathira was organized at Government College Ground, Kuttanellur, Thrissur on 30 August 2023 with the participation of 7027 women. The second was the achievement of being the largest canvas painting by tribal students. Last October, 186 children of Attappady created a 720-feet-long painting that brought pride to the entire tribal community and won the world record of the Maharashtra-based Talent Record Book. This activity which was conducted as part of the Aspirational Programme, jointly by Kudumbashree, Attappady Block Panchayat is one of the notable achievements of the year 2023.

Two world records are in connection with the National Saras Mela which was started on 21 December 2023 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Ernakulam. The Stamping Drama performed by 504 women on 24 December 2023 gave Kudumbashree the Talent Record of the Mega Stamping Drama with the largest number of women. The theme was the development history of Kudumbashree over a quarter of a century. On 29 December 2023, eighty women from the Scheduled Tribes region of Attappady and Ernakulam district joined together and got the Best India World Record for preparing 501 different food dishes from millets.

Kudumbashree is also hoping for the Asia Book of Award for being able to train the largest number of people in a short period of time through the 'Back to School' Campaign launched on 1 October 2023 under the leadership of Kudumbashree. Officials visited Thrissur district on 28 December 2023 to monitor and evaluate the campaign activities as part of awarding. So far 37 lakh women have been trained. It is also expected to make it to the Limca Books of Awards.

A turnover of Rs. 11.84 crores was achieved through the National Saras Mela organized from 21 December 2023 to 2 January 2024 at the Kaloor International Stadium Ground, Ernakulam with the participation of rural entrepreneurs from across the country. Out of this, Rs.10,45,34,130 is through product marketing and Rs.1,39,20,816 is through food court. More than 500 entrepreneurs who participated in the fair from 25 states and one union territory including Kerala will get this income.

Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Haryana came in first, second and third in terms of product variety, arrangement and turnover. Wayanad district came first from Kerala. Kozhikode and Ernakulam districts came in second and third places respectively. As part of the Saras Mela, the Indian Food Court was set up that consisted of sixteen stalls that showcased the flavors of Kerala and other states such as Rajasthan, Telangana, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Entrepreneurs of Kudumbashree Kerala Chicken Outlets have also achieved great success this time through Saras Mela. All the chicken required for the food court was supplied through Kudumbashree Kerala Chicken Outlets. A total of 4817 kg of chicken was distributed and the income was more than five and a half lakh rupees. Saras Mela is organized as part of promoting rural enterprises in India and finding more markets for traditional rural products.

The Awards of 'Sargam 2023', the State Level Story Writing Competition organized for Kudumbashree members have been distributed. Ms. Sindhu Thomas, an NHG member who came first in the competition and is a native of Idukki received the Award which consisted of a cash prize of Rs. 15,000, memento and certificate from Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at the closing session of the Kochi National Saras Mela.

Ms. Safwana N, a native of Wayanad won the second prize. She was given the Award which consisted of a cash prize of Rs. 10,000, memento and certificate. Ms. Dhanya Shamjith, a native of Ernakulam who won the third prize was gifted with the Award which consisted of the Cash Prize of Rs. 5000, a memento and a certificate. Ms. Renjini E.P (Kottayam), Ms. Jiji K.V (Palakkad), Ms. Rosha Lijin (Thrissur) and Ms. Sreedevi K Lal (Ernakulam) who received the incentive prize were presented with a cash award of Rs.1500 each, a memento and a certificate.

The official closing ceremony of Kochi National Saras Mela was held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Ground, Ernakulam on 31 December 2023. Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department & Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the function. He said that Kudumbashree is the great movement of women in India. The Saras Mela was extended till 2 January 2024 following the heavy rush.

The Minister presented awards to the best entrepreneurs who participated in the Saras Mela. Media awards and awards to those who participated in the organization of the fair were presented at the event. Adv. M. Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Corporation presided over the function. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree presented the report.

Shri. T.J. Vinod, Shri. P.V. Srinijin, Shri. K.N. Unnikrishnan, MLAs, Ms. Rama Santhosh, Chairperson, Thrippunithura Municipality and Governing Body Member, Kudumbashree, Shri. N.S.K. Umesh IAS, District Collector, Ernakulam, Shri. P. M. Shafeeq, Joint Director, Local Self Government Department, Shri. Sreekanth, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, CDS Chairpersons and others participated. Ms. T. M Rejeena, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree bagged the Best of India World Record by preparing 501 dishes from stews to biryani using millets. Kudumbashree has achieved the record for the World's Largest Display of Cooked Millet Dishes. As part of the International Year of Millets, Kudumbashree successfully made a record attempt in connection with the Kochi National Saras Mela with the aim of bringing the properties of millets, which have many medicinal properties, to the public.

Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission, Kudumbashree Attappady Tribal Special Project, Kudumbashree Tribal and Gender (FNHW - Food, Nutrition, Health and Wash) projects jointly achieved the world record performance. Food was prepared by 80 members from the NHGs where the FNHW programme is being conducted in Attappady. They were guided by the culinary experts of Kudumbashree AIFRHM (Adebha- Athidhi Devo Bhava- Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management).

Ms. T. M Rejeena, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission received the certificate from Shri. Tony Chittettukalathil, Official, Best of India. Shri. B.S Manoj, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree State Mission, Assistant District Mission Coordinators of Ernakulam, Programme Officers and AIFRHM representatives participated in the event.

The world record exhibition was to create awareness among the public about how millets can be used as food on a daily basis, and the exhibition lined up food items such as snacks, sweet treats, salad, biryani, cookies, cold drinks, shakes, breakfast dishes, noodles, sandwiches and burgers made using millets such as ragi, little millet, pearl millet, kodo millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, sorghum.

501 dishes like cutlet, cookies, chocolate ball, fold boli, mysore pak, payasam, kozhukatta, pidi, madura seva, sandwich, chicken thina roll, thina ragi shawarma, noodles, spring roll, etc. were prepared. After the exhibition, the public was also given an opportunity to learn about millet dishes. This is the second time that Kudumbashree has achieved the world record in connection with the Kochi National Saras Mela. Earlier, Kudumbashree had achieved the world talent record with the Mega Stamping Drama.