A State Level Workshop was organized as part of the Kudumbashree RISE (Revitalizing Institution and Strengthening Excellence) campaign aimed at strengthening the organizational structure by improving the operational efficiency and transparency of Kudumbashree CDSs. The campaign aims to strengthen the three-tier organizational structure as a whole by improving the operational efficiency and transparency of all 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree.

As part of the campaign activities, a large-scale monitoring system is being prepared to monitor the entire activities of Kudumbashree CDS and thereby strengthen the system. A workshop to finalize this monitoring system was organized at the Kudumbashree State Mission Office on 4 January 2025. Kudumbashree Mission officials and employees assigned to enhance the operational efficiency of CDSs under the name 'My CDS' are co-ordinating various activities as part of the campaign.

The lucky symbol, poster and theme song competition winners of the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree proposed to be held from 20 to 31 January 2025 in Chengannur, Alappuzha district have been selected. Mr. Nithin, a native of Seethathodu, Pathanamthitta, was the winner of the lucky symbol and poster competitions. Ms. P. Jayalakshmi, a member of Kairali NHG in Bharanikavu Panchayath in Alappuzha district, is the winner of the theme Song Competition. Both will be presented with cash prizes at the closing ceremony of the Saras Mela.

‘Cheeru’, a baby duck, rowing a small boat with a carp in one hand, has been selected as the lucky symbol, evoking the traditional characteristics of Alappuzha.

As a New Year's gift, the salary of Kudumbashree Block Co-ordinators has been increased by Rs. 5000. The salary, which was Rs.15,000, has been increased to Rs. 20,000. The salary of MIS Block Co-ordinators, who handle three sections of Kudumbashree Organization, Micro Finance and Management Information System (MIS), has been increased. The 152 Block Co-ordinators working on contract basis in 152 blocks in the state in connection with strengthening Kudumbashree activities, will benefit from this. Rs. 3.64 crores has been allocated in the NRLM Annual Action Plan for the salary hike of MIS Block Co-ordinators.

Along with the salary hike, the salary of all Block Co-ordinators working under various schemes under Kudumbashree has been unified at Rs. 20,000. Last month, the Government had decided to grant a monthly Travel Allowance of Rs. 500 to CDS members, except the Chairperson. An annual expenditure of Rs. 11.02 crores will be spent on this item for the 18,400 CDS members.

The 'Dhruva' project, jointly organized by Kudumbashree & HLL Lifecare for children in indigenous areas in Thirunelly and Noolpuzha panchayats of Wayanad district, has concluded successfully. The project was implemented for 12 holidays from 30 November 2024, involving 104 selected children who are members of the Balasabha and Bridge Course, which are part of the Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree in these panchayats.

The aim of the project was to create confidence in adolescents to achieve success in life by developing educational thinking, sports resistance, self-confidence and a sense of purpose through life skills development. Football, one of the most popular sports preferred by children, was selected and given expert training and an opportunity to play, through which they were observed, analyzed and linked to various concepts, thereby shaping the development of life skills in children.

The project, which was carried out by HLL Management Academy (HMA) in collaboration with Kudumbashree with the CSR fund of HLL Lifecare Limited, culminated on 28 December 2024 with friendly football matches. The matches between the Noolpuzha and Thirunelly teams in the boys and girls categories were organized at the ground of Crescent Public School, Panamaram. Mr. Junaid  Kaipani, Chairman, Wayanad District Panchayat Welfare Standing Committee inaugurated the closing ceremony by playing football.

Ms. Rejeena A, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Mr. Arun P Rajan, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Ms. Sarika S, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Ms. Sukanya Isaac, District Programme Manager, Mr. Sai Krishnan T.V, Co-ordinator, Tribal Special Project, Mr. Jijo Pramod, Ms. Anjali A.S, Ms. Rakhi Mohan, Ms. Rajitha Ravi, HMA Office Bearers, Ms. Jaya, Chairperson, Noolpuzha CDS, Ms. Rajani Rajish, Chairperson, Panamaram CDS,  Block Co-ordinators, Assistant Co-ordinators, Animators and Parents took part in the closing ceremony. Certificates and medals were distributed to the children. This was followed by artistic performances by the children.

The Gender Carnival organized by Kudumbashree across the state, giving a new face and strength to women's struggles for rights and freedom, concluded with a colorful event. The Gender Carnival coincided with the conclusion of the 'Nayi Chetna 3.0 National Gender Campaign' organized nationwide under the theme 'Against Gender Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence'. The Gender Carnival organized in all 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree concluded by presenting a modern-day vision of women who are fearlessly coming forward to respond, defend and raise their voices against atrocities. The Nayi Chetna 3.0 campaign is led by the National Rural Livelihood Mission at the national level.

 As per the specially prepared calendar for the campaign that started on 23 November 2024, Kudumbashree had organized a variety of programmes at the NHG, ADS, CDS and district levels in the last four weeks. Most of these programmes aimed at paving the way for the intellectual development of Kudumbashree members, including gender awareness and legal awareness. In connection with the Gender Carnival, an open forum organized on the topic of ‘Dowry and Women’s Rights’, on 23 December 2024 with the participation of various departments, garnered a lot of attention. Programmes such as gender quiz, debate, group discussions involving men, boys and local leaders for gender equality, honoring gender champions, nutritional food festival, and Rangashree Street Play were also held in connection with the carnival.

In the last two years, Kudumbashree has been able to perform well at the national level by taking up the 'Nayi Chetna' Campaign. In a similar manner, Kudumbashree has been able to make the campaign successful in Kerala, this time as well. The participation of 4.6 million women in the three-tier organizational system was crucial in this.

Four-Day State Level Capacity Building Training for Kudumbashree CDS Internal Auditors was held at Thiruvananthapuram from 27 to 30 December 2024. The training was initially provided to 11 CDSs selected for the 'Chalanam Mentorship Programme implemented by Kudumbashree Mission. Each CDS has two Internal Auditors.

Around sixty people, including CDS Internal Auditors, CDS Vice Chairpersons, Accountants, Mentors selected for the Chalanam Mentorship Programme, and City Mission Managers, participated in the training that was held in Thiruvananthapuram under the leadership of Kudumbashree State Mission. After the State Level Training, a three-day training will be organized at the ULB Level for 2 Internal Auditors each from the ADSs of these 11 Urban CDSs.

The main trainers of the training programme were the Mentor Core Group Members of the Chalanam Programme and selected KAASS team members. The training was organized on the basis of the manual and module prepared by the State Mission with the help of the said team. Ms. Beena E, Mr. Abdul Basheer, Mr. Sudheer. N.B and Mr. Nishad, State Programme Manager spoke about the relevance and main responsibilities of Internal Audit.

As part of the second phase of the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) being implemented in the state through Kudumbashree, ‘Sanjha Utsav’ NHG Fair and ‘Kudumbashree Angadi’- Product Exhibition & Marketing Food Fair is being organized from 27 December 2024 to 6 January 2025 at Kochi Corporation which is implementing the pilot project. The programme is being held at the Open Air Theatre Complex near the Fort Kochi Corporation Zonal Office, Ernakulam. The aim is to encourage self-employment and products of NHGs and small entrepreneurs.

There will be more than fifty stalls in the ‘Kudumbashree Angadi’. All entrepreneurs in the agro-microenterprise sector will bring their products to this. A food court will also be part of the ‘Kudumbashree Angadi’ with a variety of food items prepared by entrepreneurs working in the canteen catering sector and street vendors who are beneficiaries of the project. As part of the project, there will also be a video exhibition on the progress achieved in urban areas across the country. Public participation is also ensured in the programme.

The National Urban Livelihood Mission is a project implemented in urban areas by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs with the aim of eradicating urban poverty. The activities are being carried out in collaboration with the respective State Governments. The first phase of the project was launched in Kerala in 2015. The excellence of the project implemented in the state through the nodal agency, Kudumbashree, has already been recognized at the national level several times.

Entries are invited for Kudumbashree Vlog and Reels Competition Season 2. Videos on various activities implemented in Kerala through Kudumbashree, the State Poverty Eradication Mission, will be considered for the competition. The last date for receiving videos is 30 January 2025.

A video not exceeding five minutes in length should be sent to the Vlog competition. Those who come First, Second and Third will receive a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 30,000 respectively, along with a trophy and a certificate. The videos with a duration of not more than one minute will be considered for the Reels Competition. The first three winners will receive a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15,000 respectively. They will also receive a trophy and a certificate. Videos should be sent on CD or pen drive to the Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree State Mission, Trida Building, 2nd Floor, Medical College P.O, Thiruvananthapuram 695011. The cover should be superscribed as Vlog & Reels Competition.

For terms and conditions, visit the link: www.kudumbashree.org/vlog-reels2025

The winners of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram' Photography Competition Season 6 was announced. Mr. M.J. Ratheesh Kumar of Ratheesh Bhavan, Kanjiramkulam, Thiruvananthapuram won the first pace in the General Category and Ms. Anusha Mohan of Ooruvayalil House, Payyoli Keezhoor, Kozhikode (member of Lotus Auxiliary Group of Division 18 of Payyoli Municipality) won the first place in NHG/Auxiliary category. They will receive a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 each, a trophy and a certificate.

Mr. Aravindan Manali of Perumpully Thazhath House, Kanimangalam, Thrissur won the second place in the General Category. Mr. K.A. Abdul Khader of Kannan Chathayil, Thrissur won the third position. In the NHG/Auxiliary Group category, Ms. Jesna Palakkal of Kodur Pattupara, Malappuram district won the second position. Ms. Jesna is a member of the Chembakam Auxiliary Group. Ms. Gemini Benny of Kuttiyankal, Kurichikkara, Kongampara, Thrissur won the third position. Ms. Gemini is also the President of Sneha Kudumbashree NHG under Mulagunnathukavu CDS. The second and third place winners in both categories will receive a cash award of Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 each, a trophy and a certificate respectively.

Consolation Prizes: 

General Category - Mr. A.J. Rishikesh (Thrissur), Mr. Alfred M.K. (Thrissur), Mr. V.P. Gibi Sam (Thiruvananthapuram), Mr. A. Prasad (Thiruvananthapuram).

NHG/Auxiliary Group Category - Ms. Jishana. K. (Malappuram), Ms. Fathimath Soura (Kasaragod), Ms. Remeena T. K (Thrissur). The consolation prize is Rs. 2000 each.

For the first time, the competition was held separately for the general category and NHG/Auxiliary category. More than 600 entries were received in the competition. The winners were selected by a panel comprising Mr. Vinod. V (Chief Photographer, I&PRD), Mr. B.S. Prasannan (Retd. Photo Editor, Mangalam), Mr. G.  Binulal (Retd. Senior Chief News Photographer, Mathrubhumi).

To view the winning photos, click here:  www.kudumbashree.org/photography2024

Parappanangadi CDS, the urban CDS in Malappuram district is becoming a model for all other Kudumbashree CDSs in Kerala. Parappanangadi CDS has fulfilled the dream of having its own office building for all ADSs (Area Development Society or ward-level organizational structure of Kudumbashree) under the CDS. Parappanangadi CDS is also the first urban CDS in Kerala to achieve this feat.

Offices were set up for all 45 ADSs with the approval of the Municipal Council. Out of these, only five are working in rented buildings. The collective efforts of the people's representatives and ADS office bearers of each ward led the CDS to this feat. Parappanangadi is the CDS selected from the district to implement the ongoing activities of the Chalanam Mentorship Programme implemented by Kudumbashree at the urban level. It is also noteworthy that the CDS achieved this achievement as part of this.

Mr. P.P. Shahul Hameed, Chairman, Parappanangadi Municipality made the official announcement of the setting up of offices for all the ADSs at a function organized on 17 December 2024. Ms. Shaharbanu, Vice Chairperson, Parappanangadi Municipality, Mr. Suresh Kumar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission,  Ms. P.P. Suharabi, Chairperson, Parappanangadi CDS, Ms. Rahiyanath, Vice Chairperson, Parappanangadi CDS, Mr. Reneef, City Mission Manager, Mr. Anil Kumar. S, Kudumbashree Core Mentor, Ms. Sheela. S, Mentor, Councilors, CDS Conveners, Block Co-ordinator etc. participated in the programme.