The winners of 'Sargam 2023', the State Level Story Writing Competition for Kudumbashree Women has been announced. Ms. Sindhu Thomas from Muniyara, Idukki had bagged the First Prize (Rs.15,000) for the story-'Sadrishyavakyangal'.  Ms. Swafvana from Wayanad had bagged the Second Prize (Rs.10,000) for the story-'Prakruthi Nirdharanathil Thottu Poyavar Darwine Thedunnu' and  Ms. Dhanya Shamjith from Ernakulam had bagged the Third Prize (Rs. 5,000) for the story-'Madangi'. The Award consist of Cash Prize, Momento and Certificate.  

Ms. Anuja Baiju (Kottayam), Ms. Renjini E.P (Kottayam), Ms. Jiji K.V (Palakkad), Ms. Rosha Lijin (Thrissur) and Ms. Sreedevi K. Lal (Ernakulam) will get the Consolation Prize of Rs. 1500 each along with Momento and Certificate. A total of 763 entries were received in the  'Sargam 2023', the State Level Story Writing Competition organized to identify and nurture the creative skills of  Kudumbashree Women.

The winners were selected by the Jury consisting of Dr. George Onakkoor, Ms. K Rekha and Ms. Sithara S. The First Level Selection was done by the teachers of Malayalam Department of Kerala University in Karyavattom Campus. The award will be distributed to the winners at the closing ceremony organized on 31 December 2023 in connection with the National Saras Mela held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Ernakulam.

Kudumbashree's activities in collaboration with the Saksharatha Mission to ensure complete literacy in the villages of Attappady in Palakkad district are progressing with excellence.1925 students appeared for the equivalency test held on 10 December 2023.  People from 179 villages have appeared for this equivalency test, which is named as 'Mikavutsavam'. Those who are unable to write the exam at this stage are targeted to write the equivalency exam in March 2024.

The activities in Attappady in conjunction with the Attappady Tribal Special Project and Saksharatha Mission implemented by Kudumbashree was started with the preliminary meeting organized on 7 February 2023. Later, Ms. Binumol, President, Palakkad District Panchayat inaugurated the Project Explanation-Survey Training in the same month. Later, in the months of February and March, a literacy survey was conducted under the leadership of Kudumbashree Special Project Animators and Bridge Course teachers, and 4273 people were found to be illiterate. Later, after the codification of the survey, literacy activities were started.

Animators, bridge course teachers and educated Kudumbashree workers from each village were found as voluntary teachers in the village and the illiterate were trained for literacy test. Literacy Mission provided study aids for teachers and Kudumbashree provided study materials for students. Shri. B.S. Manoj, Assistant Project Officer, Kudumbashree, Shri. Jomon K.J, Co-ordinator, Shri, Manoj Sebastian, Co-ordinator, Saksharatha Mission and Ms. Parvathy, Assistant Co-ordinator give leadership to the literacy activities in Attappady.

The National Saras Mela, which showcases Indian diversity was kicked off with a huge turnout at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, Ernakulam on 21 December 2023. Shri. M.B.Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department & Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Saras Fair online. The Minister said that the role of Kudumbashree is crucial in empowering Kerala women's lives socially, economically and politically.  The most important area of Kudumbashree is economic empowerment. Kudumbashree is implementing it through entrepreneurship- skills development. Kudumbashree is involved in economic empowerment in a wide way through 85,000 enterprises, 74,000 Joint Liability Groups and 14,000 groups working in the animal husbandry sector. He added.

Through Kudumbashree, the women community in Kerala has also been able to make entrepreneurship development possible. Saras Mela is lined up with women who have proved their proficiency in the field of entrepreneurship. Saras is the country's premier fair for women entrepreneurs. About 200 entrepreneurs from Kerala have been a part of Saras Mela. Out of the 250 exhibition stalls set up in association with Saras Mela, 90 stalls belong to other states. The minister said that Saras is envisioned as a fair where Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and products are introduced to the consumers and marketing opportunities are created for the entrepreneurs. The main attraction of the Saras Mela is the Indian Food Court. In all the last nine Saras Melas held in Kerala, the food court has attracted people the most. More than 300 cuisines in India are available under one roof. With 120 talented women chefs working in Kudumbashree's catering sector, Saras will serve dishes from within and outside Kerala. The Minister said. Saras comes up with the concept of 'India on a Plate' where all the dishes of India can be enjoyed in one bowl. He added.

Kudumbashree's food court was the main attraction of the Keraleeyam event, which had 30,000 to 40,000 visitors per day. Saras Mela is organized in collaboration with the State Government, local bodies and the National Rural Livelihood Mission. In the last 9 Saras Melas, Rs. 85 crores were received through the sales of 2000 entrepreneurs. The Minister also said that the Saras Mela, which was received in the hearts of the entire Kerala, will be a great success in Ernakulam as well.

Presiding over the function online, Shri. P Rajeev, Minister, Industries Department, Government of Kerala said that Kudumbashree has been able to do great work in women's empowerment for a quarter of a century. The specialty of Saras Mela is that a variety of foods and products from all over India are available under one roof. More than 100 chefs, various art shows, food and various products are prepared for the customers. The Minister said that Saras Mela held in Ernakulam will be more festive.

A total of 250 stalls reflecting Indian cultures are set up at Saras Mela, which brings together the products of the country's rural entrepreneurs under one umbrella. Different stalls of handicrafts and handloom products are awaiting for the people at the fair, which starts from the 'Back to School' campaign model that has changed the face of Kudumbashree itself. Saras Mela showcases the variety of clothing from Indian states like Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Tripura, Telangana and Karnataka in Kochi of Kerala, the heart of fashion. Bamboo tools, sweets, jewellery, bags, handicrafts and other unique products of different states will be on display at the fair.

The display and marketing of different food products will enthrall the customers. The stalls of Kudumbashree's strong initiatives Gender Help Desk- Snehitha and Medical Help Desk- Santhwanam are the pride of the fair. The biggest feature of Saras Mela is that various cultures and unique products of the country come under one roof along with great market opportunities. 

The National Saras Mela started at Kochi is becoming the Festival of Flavors serving the food diversity of India. It serves Dal Bathi Choorma from the royal family of Rajasthan to Momos from Thirunelly. 10 days and nights of Saras Mela at Kochi will be filled with flavors from various states. Different delicacies from various states of India and various districts of Kerala are awaiting the food lovers. Dal Bathi Choorma, a traditional Rajasthani dish that evokes curiosity as the name suggests, and Wayanad's own Thirunelly Momos alias 'TiMo', which is made with Jeerakashala rice have grabbed the attention of the fair on the very first day. The other attractions of the food fair is Maharashtra's Pooran Poly, Arunachal Pradesh's Beef Corn Soup, Attapady's own Vana Sundari, Alappuzha's Karimeen Pollichathu, Lakshadweep's Halwa, various types of Biryani and local delicacies.

More than 40 stalls are prepared to bring a variety of tastes to the customers. There are ten stalls from Uttarakhand, nine from Uttar Pradesh, eight from Karnataka, seven from Sikkim, six from Lakshadweep, five from Telangana, four from Arunachal Pradesh, three from Maharashtra and two from Andhra Pradesh. Unique flavors from Ernakulam, Wayanad, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Thalassery and Attappady are also available at the fair. Many people came to the food fair on the very first day to enjoy the live food tastings. 

Adv. M . Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Corporation inaugurated Saras Mela's Product Stall. The Indian Food Court was inaugurated by Shri. T.J. Vinod, MLA and the Theme Stall was inaugurated by Shri. K. Babu, MLA. Shri. P.V. Sreenijin, MLA inaugurated the Saras tag line prize giving. Shri. K.J. Maxi, MLA inaugurated the Saras logo prize giving and the Art Night was inaugurated by Shri. K Chandran Pillai, Chairman, Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). Shri. Loknath Behra, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, presented the Saras Theme Lyric Prize to the composer Shri. K.V. Anil Kumar. Shri. N.S.K Umesh, District Collector, Ernakulam gave away the photography prizes.

Ms. Nikhila Vimal, Film star  was the Chief Guest of the function. Shri. Ullas Thomas, President, District Panchayath, Ms. K. Meera, Sub Collector, Fort Kochi, Shri. Jafar Malik, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Ms. Rama Santosh, Chairperson, Thrippunithura Municipal Corporation, Ms. K.A. Ansiya, Deputy Mayor, Kochi Corporation, Ms. TM Rejeena, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission, Shri. Basil Paul, Vice President, Kerala Block Panchayat President Association, Shri. P.R. Reneesh, Chairman, Kochi Corporation Development Standing Committee, Ms. Sheeba Lal, Chairperson, Welfare Standing Committee, Shri. V.A. Sreejith, Chairman, Education Standing Committee, Ms. Mary Mini, Ms. Latha Babu, Ms. Nabeesa Latheef, Kudumbashree CDS Chairpersons, Kudumbashree members also attended the function. 

The Saras Mela will come to an end on 1 January 2024.

The launch of the weekly campaign posters as part of the ongoing national wide Nayi Chetna 2.0 , the gender campaign against gender discrimination and gender-based violence was launched by Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree on 14 December 2023. Ms Bindu K.S, Director, Kudumbashree administered the oath.

As part of the campaign, a class on the PoSH Act - Sexual Harassment against Women (Prevention, Prohibition and Redress) in work places - was conducted at the  State Mission Office, Kudumbashree. Also activities like organizing awareness class on gender based violence and women friendly laws for State Mission officials will be implemented. Nayi Chetna 2.0 is progressing with various programmes across the state under the leadership of Kudumbashree.

Chalanam, a four-day capacity building training programme for chairpersons and sub-committee conveners of Kudumbashree Urban CDSs was organized in Kannur, Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. The Chalanam District Level Mentoring Camp at Kannur was organized on the banks of Kanai Yamuna from 28 November 2023 to 1 December 2023. Shri. Vijin, MLA, Kalliasseri Constituency performed the inauguration. About 80 people including sub-committee conveners, accountants, community organizers and others participated in the training.

Shri. I.C Balakrishnan, MLA, Sultan Bathery Constituency inaugurated the camp in Wayanad district organized at Sunbird Garden Resort, Kolagappara from 4 to 7 December 2023. 45 people including Shri. P.K. Subramanian, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Ms. Beena E, State Mission Manager, Ms. Rejeena V.K, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree, Ms. Selina K.M, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree, Training Team Core Team Members, PMAY Social Development Specialists, City Mission Managers, Community Organizers, Chairpersons of 4 Urban Local Bodies of Wayanad District and sub-committee conveners participated in the camp. Ms. Devaki Deputy Collector visited the camp.

The Chalanam District Level Mentoring Camp in Kozhikode district was organized at Iringal Craft Village from 5 to 8 December 2023. Ms. Sheeja Shashi, President, District Panchayat inaugurated the camp. Ms. Sindhu. R District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission presided over the function. Ms. K.K. Lathika, Governing Body Member, Kudumbashree was the chief guest of the programme. Shri. Jahamgeer. S, Programme Officer (Urban), Kudumbashree, Ms. Beena E, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree were part of the camp on different days. A total of 107 people including 72 CDS office bearers and 11 accountants from 12 CDSs became part of the training. A special boot camp was organized  for the trainees. Shri. O. Biju, RDO, Vadakara inaugurated the valedictory session. He also distributed the awards and certificates for the CDSs.

The three-day literary workshop 'Sargam-2023' organized for the members of the Kudumbashree NHGs from 11 to13 December 2023 at KILA Headquarters, Thrissur has been concluded. About 45 women participated in this workshop jointly organized by Kudumbashree, Kerala Sahitya Akademi and KILA. Sessions on various topics led by around 30 prominent writers of Malayalam opened up different avenues for the NHG members in writing. On 13 December 2203, the concluding day today, Ms. K.A. Beena interacted with the participants on 'Footprints in Travel Literature' and Ms. Sreebala Menon interacted with the participants on 'E-Writing Techniques in Malayalam'.

Prof. C.P. Aboobacker, Secretary, Kerala Sahitya Academy inaugurated the valedictory function. He also distributed the certificates to the participants of the literary camp. Shri. Nafih Muhammed, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree presided over the function. He also reviewed the literary camp. Shri. K.K. Prasad, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission welcomed the gathering and Shri. K.S. Sunil, Programme Co-ordinator, Kerala Sahitya Academy delivered the vote of thanks. The literature camp was organized by including those who participated in the state-level story writing competition organized by Kudumbashree for the women of Kudumbashree NHGs and who wrote the best stories.

Kudumbashree's 'Sargam 2023' the Three Day State Level Literary Workshop for Kudumbashree NHG members jointly organized by Kudumbashree, KILA and Kerala Sahitya Academy has started at KILA, Mulagunnathukavu, Thrissur on 11 December 2023. Shri. K.Satchidanandan, President, Kerala Sahitya Academy officially inaugurated the camp. Literary empowerment gives women more visibility in society. Satchidanandan said. He clarified that the ultimate duty of literature is to make the friendship of justice and righteousness possible and women can do that through literary workshops like Sargam. He added.

Ms. Bindu K.S. Director, Kudumbashree presided over the function. Dr Joy Elamon, Director General, KILA, Shri. V.R. Santhosh, Deputy Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department delivered their felicitations. Shri. Nafih Muhammed, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Dr. Kavitha A, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission delivered the vote of thanks. The Sargam 2023 Literary Workshop envisages to help Kudumbashree women who want to shine in the field of literature to interact with prominent writers and get acquainted with the new techniques of the writing world. The participants of the Sargam State Level Story Competition organized for Kudumbashree NHG members are the participants of the workshop.

Various Sessions on the First Day

1. Way of Writing (Shihabuddin Poythumkadavu)

2. Good Story is not Impossible (Vaisakhan, Sithara S, Ashokan Cheruvil)

3. New Literature, New Language (M.M Narayanan)

4. New Age Poetry (D Anil Kumar, Ashokan Marayoor, Ramya Balakrishnan)

5. The Chemistry of Writing and Reading (N. Rajan , Anu Pappachan)

'Fashion Eleganza' Fashion Show will be organized for College Students as part of the Kochi National Saras Mela proposed to be organized by Kudumbashree from 21 December 2023 to 01 January 2024. The First Prize, Second Prize and Third Prize will be cash prize of Rs. 10,000, Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 3,000 respectively. Those who participate in the fashion show will get certificates as well. The first 50 people who register first will be given the opportunity to participate in the fashion show. Those who are interested in participating in the Fashion Show may fill the Google Form given below:

https://surveyheart.com/form/65720337fce58309df3768e6

Kudumbashree is inviting applications for Kudumbashree -The Urban Learning Internship Programme as part of the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) Programme being implemented by Kudumbashree in Kerala.

The internship will be conducted at the state mission level and 93 Urban Local Bodies. At the Kudumbashree State Mission Office, three interns will be appointed for 3 months, and in Urban Local Bodies, one intern each will be appointed for 2 months. Candidates selected for the internship will be entitled to a certificate issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and stipend of Rs. 8000 per month. Priority will be given for Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group Members.

The last date for applying for the internship is 08 December 2023. For more details, visit Kudumbashree website https://www.kudumbashree.org/internship

Kudumbashree is inviting applications for Kudumbashree-The Urban Learning Internship Programme as part of the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) Programme being implemented by Kudumbashree in Kerala.

The internship will be conducted at the state mission level and 93 Urban Local Bodies. At the Kudumbashree State Mission Office, three interns will be appointed for 3 months, and in Urban Local Bodies, one intern each will be appointed for 2 months. Candidates selected for the internship will be entitled to a certificate issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and stipend of Rs. 8000 per month. Priority will be given for Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group Members.

The last date for applying for the internship is 08 December 2023. For more details, visit Kudumbashree website https://www.kudumbashree.org/internship