Kudumbashree Mission, which has became a strong presence in the social scenario of Kerala has launched the Season 5 of ‘Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition. The competition aims at motivating the aspiring photographers and to propagate the activities of Kudumbashree Mission through photographs. The contestants may submit photographs that would reflect the priority projects of Kudumbashree Mission. The entries should reach Kudumbashree Mission office on or before 5 pm, 22 September 2022.

The photographs should reflect various activities of Kudumbashree such as, Kudumbashree Neighborhood Group meetings, enterprises run by Kudumbashree members, the farming activities of Kudumbashree women, and the activities of the BUDS institutions etc. The jury, composed of renowned photographers and officials of Kudumbashree Mission will select the winners. The Award for the Best Photographer will be Rs. 25,000. The second prize and third prize will be Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively. Rs. 2000 each will be issued for 10 entries as consolation prizes.

Entries may be sent to the mail id, kudumbashreeprcontest@gmail.com or may be sent in CD Format or as hardcopies to the address, The Public Relations Officer, 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. The entries should be transcribed as 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram Photography Competition'. More details of the notification is available in the link : www.kudumbashree.org/photography2022.

The first season of ‘Kudumbashree or Nerchithram’ was  conducted during November- December 2017, the second season during February -March 2019, the third season was held during January- February 2020 and  The fourth season of the competition was held from July to September 2021. The four seasons of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram' Photography Competition resulted in a huge success. Good quality photographs portraying the strength of Kudumbashree, functioning focusing on women empowerment is considered for the ‘Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition, which is being conducted from 2017 onwards. Kudumbashree Mission which envisions eradicating poverty through women in Kerala had successfully completed 24 revolutionary years and has entered into its silver jubilee year.

Kudumbashree is to supply 61.19 lakh packets of Banana Chips and Sarkaravaratti to the Onam Kit distributed by Supplyco. Kudumbashree has received an order worth Rs. 18.51 crores from Supplyco in this regard. The distribution of 42.44 lakh packets has already been completed. The remaining 18.75 lakh packets will be distributed soon. The Chief Minister has inaugurated the state-wide distribution of the free Onam kit.

As soon as the banana chips and the sarkaravaratti (jaggery coated banana chips), which are currently delivered to the 56 depots of Supplyco will be exhausted, the remaining will be distributed from the Kudumbashree units. The products are manufactured and distributed through more than 300 Kudumbashree units functioning across the state. All the four units from the Scheduled Tribe Community of Attappady are also active in product manufacturing this time. The procurement of banana has been intensified to prepare products according to the quantities as per the contract. Currently, its procured from more than two and a half lakh Kudumbashree women farming groups (Joint Liability Groups-JLGs) as well as from the public market. The respective District Missions are responsible for co-ordinating the activities including product manufacturing and distribution.

Entrepreneurs will get Rs. 30.24 inclusive of GST per pack of 100 grams. Last year also, Kudumbashree has supplied products for including the onam kit of Supplyco last year as well. An order for supplying 41.17 lakh packets of chips and sarkaravaratti was received then. Through the distribution program in which 273 units participated, the entrepreneurs  made a sales of Rs.11.99 crores.

Chuvad 2022 fifth batch training concluded offering knowledge and confidence to the newly inducted CDS Chairpersons. Shri. M.V. Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the valedictory function of the fifth batch of 'Chuvad 2022' Residential training held at Mar Gregorios Convention Centre, Thiruvananthapuram on 21 August 2022. He also addressed the newly inducted Kudumbashree CDS Chairpersons during the function.

Minister said that Kudumbashree should become the force that determines the future of Kerala. Kudumbashree has evolved into an organization that can deliver the benefits of all the schemes implemented by the government to the real beneficiaries. The CDS Chairpersons should transform this organization into a force that plays a major role in social development. The Minister said. He also stated that in accordance with the increasing potential of the domestic market, quality products from the agricultural- microenterprise sector can be produced by utilizing science and technology.

The training is being organized in seven batches. There are 150 candidates in each batch including CDS chairpersons from all districts. The five day training programme aims at creating a sense of purpose to carry out day-to-day tasks and administration of Kudumbashree CDS in the most effective manner.

In the training program organized on various days in connection with Chuvad 2022 training programme Shri. T.K Jose, Former Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department, Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan IAS, Additional Chief Secretary,  Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala, Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Director, Industries Department, Government of Kerala,  Smt. P.I. Sreevidya IAS, Former Executive Director, Kudumbashree, and Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree made interactions with the CDS Chairpersons and held brainstorming sessions.

Shri. Nishad, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Shri. Prabhakaran, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree proposed vote of thanks. Shri. Vipin Vilfred, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree and Ms. Vidya Nair, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree was also present at the programme. The training is conducted under the leadership of thirty persons selected from the nineteen training groups of Kudumbashree. The training of the remaining two batches will be completed by 2 September 2022.

M.V. Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala addressed the newly inducted Kudumbashree CDS Chairpersons during the valedictory function of the fourth batch of 'Chuvad 2022' Residential training held at Agricultural Co-operative Staff Training Institute, Manvila, Thiruvananthapuram on 20 August 2022. He said that women should be able to move away from male dominance and be independent. 

Women should be able to play a democratic role with men in the family system. It should also be recognized that household chores are valued. A remarkable movement was created in the society through the formation of the Auxiliary Groups in all the wards in the state comprising of educated women between the age of eighteen and forty.  Auxiliary Groups help to prevent and respond to violence against women and thereby increase Kudumbashree's intervention capacity in social issues. For women empowerment and equality to be possible, women must also be financially supported. For that, CDS chairpersons should understand the potential of their respective panchayats and make plans to start income-generating enterprises, including in the agro-industrial micro-enterprise sector. Kudumbashree should be able to produce quality products from all districts with attractive packaging and branding. The Minister said. He also added that the efforts to bring hundreds of popular products of Kudumbashree to the market for Onam season next year should be started immediately.

Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree presided over the function. Shri. Nishad, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Shri. Prabhakaran, State Programme Manager proposed vote of thanks. Dr. Myna Umaiban, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree, Ms. Vidya Nair, State Assistant Program Manager, Kudumbashree and and Shri. Vipin Vilfred, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree were also present at the function. The Training for the CDS chairpersons is under the leadership of Kudumbashree training groups.

Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree made field visits to Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts to get a closer look at the Kudumbashree system. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS has recently took charge as the new Executive Director of Kudumbashree. He visited various Kudumbashree units such as Haritha Karma Sena team, Janakeeya Hotel and Kudumbashree Bazaar. He made interactions with the Kudumbashree members as well as Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs and the Kudumbashree officials working in the respective districts.

National flag was flown in 45 lakh NHG families as part of 'Har Ghar Tiranga' Campaign in connection with the 75th Independence Day Celebrations. Tricolor flags were hoisted in three lakh Kudumbashree neighborhood groups and 45 lakh women's families in the state. It was also a matter of pride that the Kudumbashree units stitched the national flags hoisted in the NHGs this time in connection with the Independence Day celebrations.

After the NHG meetings, the presidents of each NHG hoisted the national flag. Newly formed Auxiliary groups along with existing NHGs actively participated in the Independence Day celebrations organized by Kudumbashree CDSs in association with the respective local bodies. In addition to the mega quiz, elocution and painting competitions organized for Balasabha-Auxiliary Group members, Independence Day Pledge with the participation of 10,000 Balasabha members, cultural processions led by NHG-Auxiliary Group members were organized in the CDSs. Flag distribution to NHGs were done through Kudumbashree CDSs. These were made available from the respective local bodies. Kudumbashree CDS and ADS gave leadership to the NHG level programs.

Shri. M.V. Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala and Shri V. Abdurahiman, Minister of Posts and Telegraphs, Government of Kerala received the nationals flag given by Kudumbashree and the Postal Department as part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' implemented by the Government of India to develop an emotional connection with the national flag to the citizens and to inspire national integration. Both the ministers were given the national flag at the ceremony of handing over the MoU for the new project jointly being implemented by Kudumbashree and the Postal Department. 'Har Ghar Tiranga' is the programme being implemented in connection with the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' which is part of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence.

Kudumbashree and Postal Department signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for packing the parcels at Post Offices. The project will be primarily implemented at Thiruvananthapuram General Post Office. The project aims at providing better service to customers who send parcels. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree and Shri. K.K Davis, Director, Postal Service Head Quarters exchanged the MoU in the presence of Shri. M.V. Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala and Shri V. Abdurahiman, Minister of Posts and Telegraphs, Government of Kerala at the function held at Sonata Hall, Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram on 11 August 2022.

During the presiding speech, Shri. M.V. Govindan Master said that Kudumbashree has a strong network that can undertake any job assigned by the Postal Department as part of providing better service to the customers. As part of strengthening the livelihood sector, the new project implemented in collaboration with the postal department will create job opportunities for hundreds of women in the future, he said. Shri V. Abdurahiman, Minister of Post and Telegraph Department, Government of Kerala said that the new project is being implemented in collaboration with Kudumbashree as part of helping women to achieve equality and financial security. He said that the Postal Department will cooperate with Kudumbashree in all possible areas in the new projects under consideration.

Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Shri. K.R. Jyothilal IAS, Principal Secretary, Postal Department, Government of Kerala, Ms. Sheuli Burman, Chief Postmaster, General Kerala Circle, Shri. K.V. Vijayakumar, Assistant Postmaster General Kerala Circle gave away the felicitations. Shri. Sreekanth A.S, Chief Operating Officer, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

Shri. M.V. Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala interacted with the newly inducted Kudumbashree CDS Chairpersons during 'Chuvad 2022' the five day State Level Training Programme at Mariya Rani Convention Centre, Thiruvananthapuram on 08 August 2022. He said that women primarily need employment and stable income to achieve women's freedom and equality. He was inaugurating the training of the third batch of 'Chuvad 2022'.

"Women empowerment and gender equality is not only about the attire. We need equality between men and women. For that, it should be able to make the democracy work. To achieve equality, women need employment and income. CDS chairpersons should envisage activities keeping this goal in mind. Women should be provided with the necessary assistance to start locally unique enterprises in association with local self government institutions. Further efforts should be made to gain acceptance for these products in the global market with better marketing support". The Minister said. He also added that the government is thinking of providing necessary assistance to the auxiliary groups to start the business enterprises and he wished success to the new CDS chairpersons participating in the training program.

The training is being organized in seven batches. There will be 150 candidates in each batch. These will include CDS Presidents from all districts. The aim of the training program is to create a sense of purpose among them on how to engage and act in their daily duties and administration. The training of the fourth batch will start on 18 August 2022. Shri. Nishad C.C.,  State Program Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Smt. Sukumari, CDS Chairperson, Karakulam CDS extended the vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Team completed first distribution of the National Flags to the public. As part of the 75th Independence Day celebrations, Kudumbashree is moving forward with the activities of preparing and distributing National Flags. Kudumbashree Malappuram district team has completed the first order and has delivered the same to the concerned.

Kudumbashree Malappuram District team completed the order of 432 flags placed by Canara Bank on 27 July 2022. Thannikkal Vasthra Boutique Unit took up this and prepared the flags. Malappuram district has received total order of 1.92 lakh flags so far. The production of the flags is progressing through 94 enterprise units.

Shri. Jafar K. Kakkooth, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission handed over the flags to Ms. Sreevidya, Regional Head Canara Bank during the function held at the Regional Office, Malappuram on 04 August 2022. Ms. Ramlath, Representative, Clothing Unit, Shri. K.T. Jiju, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree and bank employees participated in the function.

About 700 units of Kudumbashree are engaged in preparing and distributing flags to houses and institutions in the state as part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' (tricolor flags in every house) Campaign as part of the 75th Independence Day celebrations.