As a first of its kind initiative, Food on Wheels, an enterprise that serves tasty food ensuring cleanliness and hygiene, in electric vehicles fixed with mobile kitchen is being launched in Kerala. As part of National Urban Livelihoods Programme (NULM), the new initiative is implemented at the Kalamassery Municipality of Kerala. Three units of ‘food on wheel’ kitchen which comprises of 5 women per unit will start their business at Kalamasseri (Ernakulam District). These 15 members were selected and were given sufficient training, which included capacity building in driving, cooking, customer management and in food service. After training certificate was issued, each unit took Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence.

Each unit had availed a bank loan of Rs.9.50 lakhs for starting these ‘food on wheel’ enterprises. Using this amount, specially designed autos were purchased. Solar panel and modern technology kitchen which has high tech features were fixed on to this auto. Tasty food would be cooked and preserved in this kitchen. Enterprises in the ‘food on wheel’ Rickshaws named ‘Amma Ruchi’ has been started it’s commercial activity by the second week of January 2020. ‘Food on wheel’ units will be parked at selected spots in Kalamassery Municipality without making any hindrance to the traffic. From one mother kitchen food materials including dosa batter would be taken to the three units for preparing the food on the spot.

Biriyani, fried rice and pothichoru would be cooked in the same manner at the mother kitchen and would be brought to these units for sale. These Amma Ruchi mobile kitchens would function based on this concept of mother kitchen and service unit. We hope that these eco friendly enterprises which would serve tasty food to the people without making any pollution would grow as a model in street vending. Other than serving food in the streets, the team is also all set to serve food for functions and events, depending on the orders. It is expected that the ‘Food on Wheels’, the project of Kalamassery Municipality as a part of Kudumbashree's NULM project will be accepted by the public wholeheartedly. We expect that our ‘food on wheels’ enterprise on electric autos fitted with solar energy supported stainless steel kitchen will bring smiles to the 15 families and will provide safe to eat food to customers at Kalamassery.

Tribal Cross Country was held at Attappady under the leadership of Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project. The event was conducted aiming at increasing the aptitude of the tribal community towards sports and for maintaining their physical fitness. 'Towards physical health educational empowerment' was the message of the Attappady Tribal Cross Country. The programme was organised by Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project -Kudumbashree in convergence with district administration, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP), Sports Council, Canara Bank and Perinthalmanna EMS Hospital. The marathon was flagged off by Shri, Arjun Pandyan, Sub Collector, Ottappalam. He had also participated in the Marathon.

229 men and 43 took part in the 10 km Cross Country held between Mattathukaad ITI and Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School, Agali. In the male category, Mahendran.M (36.43 seconds) came first, Vijay.M (40.19 seconds) came second and Varun Kumar ( 40.50 seconds) from Varun came in third place. In the female category, Swetha.D (1.01 hours) from Vandanpara of Attappady came in first place, Sindhu.N (1.03 hours) from Chemmanoor came in the second place and Selvi (1.07 hours)came in the third place. The first prize comprises of Cash Prize of Rs .7000 trophy and 2nd and 3rd prize comprise of cash prize of Rs 5000 and Rs 3000 respectively. The first 10 participants from the men and women category were also presented cash prize of Rs 1000 each and medals.

Smt. Jyothi Anil Kumar, Panchayath President,Puthoor Grama Panchayath, Shri. P. Saidalavi, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakakd District Mission, Smt. Sindhu. V, Project ,Manager, Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project, Smt. Vani Das, Project Officer, ITDP, Shri. Ajesh. K.J, Secretary, DTPC and Shri. Sathyan.T, Principal,Govt. Vocational Higher secondary School, Agali also attended the function. The Cross Country was led by Shri. Sasi Kumar, National Football Referee and Shri, Sebastain.K.J, District Basketball Association.

Kudumbashree had join hands with Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) aiming at ensuring job placements and entrepreneurship development for the rural youth. The convergence activities with RSETI, the initiative of Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) which have dedicated infrastructure in each district of the country to impart training and skill up gradation of rural youth geared towards entrepreneurship development is progressing. In connection with that, a two day workshop was organised for District Mission Co-ordinators, Assistant District Mission Co-coordinators in charge of micro enterprises, Lead Bank Managers and the nodal executives of RSETI all across Kerala. The workshop was inaugurated by Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree. Shri. C.T Santhosh, National Director, RSETI presided over the function.

RSETIs function under the Ministry of Rural Development and the LEAD Banks in each districts with the support of respective state governments. There are upto 56 skill training programmes under every RSETI. They extend skill training to youth in production-service sectors and motivate them to start self employment, The training centres under RSETI comprises of eminent faculties in various sectors and has the best infrastructure. As per this, through the RSETIs in the districts, training would be extended in more diverse sectors, thereby create more micro entrepreneurs. Along with that, actions had been taken to help the micro entrepreneurs earn more income from branding, plastic shredding etc associating with RSETI.

It is planned to extend needed financial support and extend follow up trainings to those entrepreneurs who had been trained through RSETIs and had not become the member of Kudumbashree yet. In addition to that, job training programmes that Kudumbashree women need would be included in the next year's annual action plan of RSETI.

As of now, trainings are extended in bee farming, floriculture, setting up of gardens, production of milk and milk products, poultry farming, motor rewinding, radio-TV repairing, irrigation pump set repairing, photography, videography, cellphone repairing, tractor and power driller repairing, screen printing, computer hardware and DTP etc. Kudumbashree women and rural youth would be benefited out of this training and thereby they could strengthen the entrepreneurial sector.

Kudumbashree publishes Memoirs of Kudumbashree Members (Ormapusthakangal) from 14 districts across the state. Within the first three years of the inception in 1998, Neighbourhood groups, Area Development Societies (Federation of Neighborhood Groups) and Community Development Societies (Federation of Area Development Societies) were formed in all Local Self Government Institutions. The idea of publishing the memoirs of Kudumbashree members was originated in 2018, during the 20th anniversary of Kudumbashree. Government had announced that the memoirs of Kudumbashree members would be published in that year's budget itself.

For sharing the memories of 20 years and for converting the same into a book, Kudumbashree decided to conduct one workshop each in every district. The ‘Writeshops’ were conducted in all districts simultaneously and the same was coordinated by the Public Relations team of Kudumbashree. Kudumbashree CDSs ensured the active participation of Kudumbashree members in the workshop. The workshops were organised at all districts across the state during February-March 2018. Around 500 Kudumbashree members took part in the workshop. The write-ups prepared by the women were given for including in the memoirs. Along with that, stories of those who shared their experiences orally were prepared by Kudumbashree's Public Relations team. Kudumbashree has now published 14 books by compiling the stories received from 14 districts.

On going through these books, one would be able to know about the growth of this organisation, the stories of sacrifices of Kudumbashree members, the start of the changes that Kudumbashree had brought in to the society and also about the substratum of Kudumbashree network in detail. The public may read these books absolutely free of cost from this link: http://www.kudumbashree.org/pages/159, and know about the growth, empowerment and self reliance that a generation had attained through Kudumbashree.

Kudumbashree had created history by selling cloth bags worth Rs 60 lakhs. An average turn over of Rs 60,01,715 was recorded upto November 2019. A total of 456 cloth bag production units are functioning all across the state. As per the Government Order (G.O(MS) No.7/2019/Cir) plastic has been banned in Kerala starting from 1 January 2020. Kudumbashree is partnering in the fight against plastic and thereby make livelihood possible for women. Under the leadership of the respective District Mission Coordinators of Kudumbashree in the 14 districts of Kerala, Kudumbashree had already started making cloth bags regionally and had started conducting awareness programmes against plastic.

In short, along with fighting back against plastic, Kudumbashree is helping finding more livelihood opportunities for women. Various districts have devised various activities in fighting back against plastic and had even ventured into new activities to promote the use of cloth bags. The cloth bags produced by the districts are purchased by the governmental and non-governmental institutions. In many districts, activities are progressing in association with the respective district administration. A few units are getting regular orders for the cloth bags. The details of the cloth bag production units is available in the link : http://www.kudumbashree.org/pages/816

Livelihood is being extended to around 1.54 lakhs people through various programmes and other employment opportunities. Through the Micro Enterprises programme, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Employment through Skills Training & Placement [EST&P] of National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) and Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), a sub-component of the National Rural Livelihood Mission, Kudumbashree is extending livelihood opportunities to as many common women.

91,630 women could find their livelihood through the micro enterprises of Kudumbashree. 34,394 candidates received job placements through DDUGKY, whereas 14,000 were placed through EST&P component of NULM and 9030 got placement through the SVEP programme. Kudumbashree is also active in supplying man power for various jobs in other governmental and non-governmental departments like KSEB, DTPC, Medical Colleges, Panchayath offices etc and 1640 women had secured job placements through this. In addition to that, a team of 3195 experienced professionals from various sectors is also working with Kudumbashree Mission in different levels, making sure that the projects designed and implemented for the social and economic empowerment of women are reaching out to the grass root level. In short, a total of 1,53,889 people is being extended livelihood through Kudumbashree Mission. Kudumbashree is fully equipped and is keeping on making innovative yet remarkable interventions for the betterment of the livelihood of the common people in the state.

The products manufactured by the Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs would be available through the Supplyco Supermarkets across the state in near future. Kudumbashree and Supplyco had signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the same. This contract had made possible the opportunity of making available the products of Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs through the 1546 marketing outlets of Supplyco.

The contract of Kudumbashree with Supplyco has two parts. As per the first part, Kudumbashree entrepreneurs would pack the puttupodi, appam podi (rice powders), coconut oil, atta, umbrella etc, which the Supplyco need. Kudumbashree would give the needed quantity of these products to Supplyco as per the priorly fixed rates from the Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. As per the second part of the contract, various products of Kudumbashree enterprises would be given to Supplyco.

As per this, the Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs would be asked to fill the registration forms of Supplyco. In the forms, Kudumbashree's micro entrepreneurs have to write details and quantities of products which they can supply to Supplyco as a ‘Fast Moving Consumer Good’. The forms filled out by the entrepreneurs would be collected before 30 January 2020 and would be given to Supplyco. Following that, approved products would be supplied to the 56 regional depots, under the leadership of Kudumbashree. Thereafter, products would be supplied to various Supplyco outlets from these depots. Next lot will be delivered once the first supply is sold out and Supplyco raises demand note for more products. As a first step, Kudumbashree is planning to bring the products of at least 1000 entrepreneurs to the market through Supplyco. This will in turn help Kudumbashree's micro entrepreneurs get a big market for their products.

The contract between one of the largest public sector undertaking in Kerala (Supplyco) and the largest livelihood mission in Kerala (Kudumbashree) would help as many Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs find new market for their products and help them earn more income of their own.

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.