Kudumbashree Awards 2025 - State Level Awards were announced by M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala during the Press Meet held in Thiruvananthapuram on 7 May 2025. The Kudumbashree Award 2025 is constituted as part of intensifying Kudumbashree project activities and honoring excellent and notable achievements. The awards will be distributed on 17 May 2025 in connection with Kudumbashree Day. The award winners will receive a cash award, a certificate and a memento. 

Awards are given in a total of 17 categories viz., Best NHG, Best ADS, Best Ooru Samithi, Best Enterprise Group, Best Entrepreneur, Best BUDS Institution, Best Gender Resource Centre, Best Auxiliary Group, Best Auxiliary Enterprise, Best Snehitha Gender Help Desk, District that has carried out the Best Public Relations Activities, Best District Mission, as well as Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration-Microfinance Activities), Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best CDS (Tribal Activities), Best CDS (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC). Although awards have been given to outstanding CDSs before, this is the first time that Kudumbashree is recognizing excellence in such categories.

The details of State Level Award Winners are as follows:

1. Best NHG

First Place: Pournami NHG, Sulthan Bathery CDS, Wayanad 
Second Place: Bhagyashree NHG, Sreekrishnapuram CDS, Palakkad
Third Place: Aswathy NHG, Thiruvaniyoor CDS, Ernakulam

2. Best ADS

First Place: Thichur ADS, Varavoor CDS, Thrissur
Second Place: Punnamparambu ADS, Sreekrishnapuram CDS, Palakkad
Third Place: Mattara ADS, Ulikkal CDS, Kannur

3. Best Auxiliary Group

First Place: Dhwani Auxiliary Group, Sulthan Bathery CDS, Wayanad
Second Place: Punarjani Auxiliary Group, Porkulam CDS, Thrissur
Third Place: Wings of Fire Auxiliary Group, Tiruvallur CDS, Kozhikode
Vaibhavam Auxiliary Group, Haripad CDS, Alappuzha

4. Best Ooru Samithi

First Place: Daivagund/Jellippara Oorusamithi, Agali Panchayath Samithi, Palakkad
Second Place: Sthreesakthi Oorusamithi, Thirunelly CDS, Wayanad

5. Best Enterprise Group

First Place: Sanjeevani Nutrimix, Thazhekad CDS, Malappuram
Second Place: Aishwarya Sree Amrutham Foods, Thirumittakode CDS, Palakkad
Third Place: Nanma Food Processing Unit, Pozhuthana CDS, Wayanad

6. Best Entrepreneur

First Place: Ms. Shareefa, Malappuram Municipality CDS 2, Malappuram
Second Place: Ms. Eliyamma Philip. Panathady CDS, Kasaragod
Third Place: Ms. Sandhya J, Pulimath CDS, Thiruvananthapuram 

7.Best Auxiliary Group Enterprise

First Place: Team Gramam, Poothadi CDS, Wayanad
Second Place: One 18, Varavoor CDS, Thrissur
Third Place: AG's Aranyakam Home Stay & Cafe, Amarambalam CDS, Malappuram

8. Best CDS - Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration-Microfinance Activities

First Place: Cheruvathoor CDS, Kasaragod
Second Place: Aryanad CDS, Thiruvananthapuram
Third Place: Varavoor CDS, Thrissur

9. Best CDS - Social Development, Gender

First Place: Varavoor CDS, Thrissur
Second Place: Kinanoor Karinthalam CDS, Kasaragod
Third Place: Kavilumpara CDS, Kozhikode

10. Best CDS - Tribal Activities

First Place: Marayoor CDS, Idukki
Second Place: Thirunelly CDS, Wayanad

11. Best CDS -  Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry

First Place: Varavoor CDS, Thrissur
Second Place: Bedadukka CDS, Kasaragod
Third Place: Valakom CDS, Ernakulam

12. Best CDS - Non Farm Livelihood (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC)

First Place: Mariyapuram CDS, Idukki
Second Place: Muttil CDS, Wayanad
Third Place: Sasthamcotta CDS, Kollam

13. Best BUDS Institution

First Place: Pazhassi Raja BUDS School, Mattannur CDS, Kannur
Second Place: BUDS Paradise Special School, Thirunelly Wayanad
Third Place: Spectrum Special School, Marancherry CDS, Malappuram

14. Best Gender Resource Centre

First Place: Vazhayoor GRC, Vazhayoor CDS, Malappuram
Second Place: Nanniyode GRC, Nanniyode CDS, Thiruvananthapuram
Third Place: Pallippuram GRC, Pallippuram CDS, Ernakulam 

15. Best Snehitha

First Place: Malappuram
Second Place: Thrissur
Third Place: Thiruvananthapuram

16. Best District Mission

First Place: Kollam 
Second Place: Thrissur
Third Place: Ernakulam & Wayanad

17. District that carried out Best Public Relation Activities

First Place: Kollam 
Second Place: Thrissur
Third Place: Ernakulam

The State Level Award Selection Committee, chaired by the Special Secretary of the Local Self Government Department and convened by the Executive Director of Kudumbashree, selected the state level winners in various categories. The District Level Award Selection Committee, chaired by a member of the Kudumbashree Governing Body and the respective District Mission Co-ordinators as the Working Chairmen had selected the winners in the district level. 

The awards for Best CDS (5 categories), Best BUDS Institution, Best Snehitha, Best GRC, Best District Mission, and the District that carried out Best Public Relations Activities have been decided based on the activities of the financial year 2023-24. The Awards for Best Neighborhood Group, Best Auxiliary Group, Best ADS, Best Ooru Samithi, Best Enterprise, Best Auxiliary Group Enterprise, and Best Entrepreneur have considered the activities of the financial years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.

The award selection process has been completed at three levels: block, district and state level. The award nominations from CDSs have been examined by the primary screening committee based on the criteria and nominations that have scored more than 50% marks have been considered at the block level. 

The State-Level Award selection was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the sub-committees comprising the State Mission Programme Officer/State Programme Manager and the Chairman, along with subject matter experts, scrutinized the documents based on the application criteria, analyzed the presentations on the activities, recorded the marks and submitted them to the State-Level Award Selection Committee.

In the second phase, the State-Level Award Selection Committee comprising the Local Self-Government Department Special Secretary Chairman, Kudumbashree Executive Director, Kudumbashree Executive Committee Member, and State Mission Program Officer analyzed the marks prepared and submitted by the sub-committees and determined the final winners.

H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Geetha Nazeer, Member, Kudumbashree Governing Body, Shyam Kumar K.U, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree also took part in the Press Meet.

None of the trainees at the Kudumbashree Thalir BUDS Rehabilitation Centre under the Veloor Grama Panchayat in Thrissur have slept the night before Thrissur Pooram Day. It was the day when all of them fulfilled their dream of being a part of the world-famous Thrissur Pooram, where thousands flock to their hometowns, at least once.

A 40-member group consisting of BRC trainees, parents and members of the Veloor Grama Panchayat Administrative Committee came to Thrissur to participate in the Pooram. Earlier, in a meeting with Arjun Pandian IAS, District Collector, the BRC trainees were given the opportunity to enjoy the Pooram smoothly as requested by the trainees.

From the time the trainees arrived in Pooram Nagari till their return, the Collector and his team were with the trainees and provided them with all the facilities they needed. V.S. Prince, President, District Panchayat also met the trainees. The trainees of BRC did not forget to thank the Collector for taking the initiative and joining them in making their dream come true despite the busy schedule.

Kollam district also become part of Kudumbashree's premium restaurant chain, which provides all kinds of modern facilities to the public. The official inauguration of Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant was performed by K.N. Balagopal, Minister of Finance, Government of Kerala at Vettamukku Junction in Panmana Grama Panchayat, Kollam on 6 May 2025. This is the eleventh premium restaurant launched by Kudumbashree. Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant is currently operating in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

The specialty of the Premium Restaurant opened in Kollam is the dishes that emphasize the local flavor of Kollam. Ashtamudi Prachi Curry, Kanambu Mappas, Kallummakaya Mappas, Ashtamudi Karimeen Pollichathu, Chippi Roast, Kanava 23, Shrimp Malhar, and Special Desinganadu Fish Sadya including four types of fish, prawns, and crab are available here. There are also vegetarian meals, fish curry meals, sadya, biryani, Arabian, and Chinese dishes. It has a capacity for 82 people to eat at a time. It also has a feeding room, good washrooms, and parking.

The cafe is operated by the Insight Activity Group of Panmana Panchayat. 38 people from NHG families in Chavara, Thevalakkara and Panmana grama panchayats are getting a livelihood opportunity through the restaurant.

Sujith Vijayan Pillai, MLA, Chavara constituency presided over the inaugural ceremony. Dr. P.K. Gopan, President, District Panchayat and T. Manoharan, Chairman, Matsyafed were the Chief Guests of the function. Santosh Thuppassery, President, Chavara Block Panchayat, Sreekala. P, President, Panmana Grama Panchayat, Adv. C.P. Sudheesh Kumar, S. Soman, Members,  Kollam District Panchayat, Seenath, Chavara Block Panchayat Member and Rajeev Kunjumani, Member, Panmana Grama Panchayat spoke at the function. Dr. Anchal Krishnakumar, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree, Ramya Sunith, Chairperson, Panmana CDS, Aneesa. A, Ratheesh. R, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators,  Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission, Vishnu Prasad, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission were also present at the function. Vimal Chandran. R, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree  Kollam District Mission welcomed the gathering and Unmesh. B, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

The Prakriti Millet Cafe, set up at stall number 6, is leading the way with its variety of flavors and quality at the India Food Court, set up as part of the Kudumbashree National Saras Mela on the Kozhikode beach. The main dishes at the stall are Finger Millet Banana Fritters (Muthari Pazhampori), Sorghum Pakora (Manicholam Pakoda), Pearl Millet Vada (Bajra Vada), Finger Millet Ada (Ragi Ilayada), Finger Millet Dumpling (Ragi Kozhukatta), which are prepared using small grains and pure coconut oil without adding any flour like maida. Juices prepared using small grains without adding any sweetener are also available at the stall.

The star among the juices is the 'Ojassy' Health Drink, which is prepared with about seven spices and various small grains. The Aparna NHG of the Kayanna Panchayat CDS in Kozhikode started the Natural Millet Cafe as a youth initiative in 2018. Having participated in many local fairs, this is the first time they are part of the National Saras Mela. The potential of small grains to boost immunity and fight lifestyle diseases is what motivated these entrepreneurs to start the Natural Millet Cafe.

As part of the PMAY (U) LIFE scheme being implemented in the state through Kudumbashree, the construction of 90,237 houses has been completed. The central government has approved the construction of 1,27,048 houses across the state. For this, Rs. 2124.68 crores have been sanctioned till date, including central and state share. Out of the approved houses, the construction of 90,237 houses have been completed so far.

The construction of the remaining 36,811 houses will also be completed soon. With this, the dream of owning a house for 1,27,048 homeless beneficiaries will become a reality. The project also paves the way for many homeless families to live with dignity in the society by providing them with secure and habitable houses. This achievement is due to Kudumbashree working as the nodal agency under the joint auspices of the central and state governments and municipalities.

With the aim of 'Housing for All', the project is being implemented in all 93 urban local bodies in the state in collaboration with LIFE Mission. The projects have been approved by including them in the Beneficiary Led Construction Component. Under the PMAY (Urban) LIFE scheme, homeless families with an annual income of less than Rs. three lakhs will get Rs. four lakh for the construction of houses through the project. Out of this, Rs. 2 lakhs is provided by the municipality and Rs. 50,000 is provided by the state government. Therefore a total of Rs. 2,50,000 is provided by the state government. Rs. 1.5 lakhs is the central share.

The Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme, a sub-component of the PMAY (Urban) LIFE Scheme, has also helped the beneficiaries to acquire their own homes. Under this, the beneficiaries will be provided with loans from the bank to construct or purchase their own houses. Till date, 32,651 families have been provided with such loans. Kudumbashree had also obtained permission to construct 11 housing complexes comprising 970 units for the landless and homeless in collaboration with LIFE Mission. Out of these, the construction of 530 units has been completed. The construction of the remaining units is progressing rapidly.

Leela of Pala Kochuparampil in Kottayam district is making her life beautiful by adorning herself with pearls even in her old age. For the past 25 years, Leela has been adorning her life with pearls. The jewelry made by 70-year-old Leela using pearls, marble, crystal, sandstone, tiger stone and natural stone has captivated the hearts of everyone who comes to the Kozhikode Kudumbashree National Saras Mela. She has prepared and sold bangles, necklaces, earrings, foot chains and chains. Jewelry ranging from Rs. 60 to Rs. 1500 can be purchased at her stall number 57.

The jewelry is made by going directly to Bengaluru and Hyderabad to collect essential materials. The jewelry that started out being woven in banana leaves has changed to nylon thread over time. Leela, a member of the Pala Daya NHG, still continues to have the same skill as a young girl in jewelry making. She also achieved a turnover of Rs. 2 lakhs at the National Saras Mela held in Chengannur during January 2025.

Leela's life changed when she became a member of the NHG in 2013. With this, she paid more attention to the jewelry making field and turned it into a good source of income. She became a regular presence in various marketing fairs organized by Kudumbashree. The full support of her husband Gopalan is also the inspiration for participating in the fairs. Gopalan is also helping Leela to make pearl jewelry. Their venture is also receiving support from Kudumbashree and the Industries Department.

Beautiful puppets, lamps, decorative items made of leather. Chamundeshwari Leather Puppet Unit, the fifth stall from Andhra, is presenting a completely different visual experience to visitors at the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree at Kozhikode Beach.

All these products are made using layers made by spreading leather and drawing pictures on it with a bamboo tip, adding various colors. Another feature of the unit is the wall paintings made based on the stories and characters of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The prices of the products range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2000.

The unit is owned by Kollavumma from Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh. Her husband Baburao also helps out in all kinds of ways. This profession, which was traditionally handed down to Baburao, is now being done beautifully by her children. The uniqueness, antiquity and grandeur of this family profession, which has a tradition of more than a hundred years, are visible in their products. The Chamundeshwari Leather Puppet Unit is a new experience for keralites who are always looking for something new.

113 youth from the Scheduled Tribe region got jobs in the government and semi-government sectors with the support of Kudumbashree. These people got jobs as part of the competitive exam training organized with the aim of economic and social empowerment of the youth in this region.

Most of the appointments were made to the posts of LD Clerk, Police, Forest Beat Officer etc. All of them have joined the job. In addition, 364 people have been included in various rank lists. This achievement is from 2,893 people who received expert training through Kudumbashree. They have increased their financial stability and confidence to interact with everyone in the society by getting government jobs.

As part of bringing the youth of this region into the mainstream society, intensive PSC competitive exam training was provided under the leadership of Kudumbashree. For this, PSC had organized a one-time registration camp in the districts where they reside. In the first phase, those with a degree and plus two qualifications were included. Later, necessary training was also provided for posts such as Beat Forest Officer. For this, expert faculties in various fields are identified and training is provided through them.
             
Special centres are also functioning under the leadership of the District Mission for training. In addition, training is provided in collaboration with other training centres. The activities are carried out with the support of the respective Kudumbashree CDS.

The Kudumbashree Food Court, set up as part of the National Saras Mela, is creating a paradise of taste in the heart of Kozhikode. Kozhikode, which is famous for its beaches, its cuisine and its diversity of tastes, is hosting for the first time the different dishes from different states of India under one roof. Around 300 varieties from 18 states have reached Kozhikode beach.

The main attraction of the food court is the 50 or so stalls, which are arranged in a way that resembles the old tea shop and resemble a thatched roof. The pillars of each stall have a story to tell. The culture, sights and talents of Kozhikode are recorded on each pillar. The food court is set up in a way that about 600 people can sit and eat at a time. From Rajasthan's special Raj Kachori, Maharashtra's Vadapav, Sikkim's Momos, Attappadi Vanasundari to Odisha's Chicken Pakku Vada, Hyderabadi Dum Biryani are available at the food court.

The indigenous people are those who preserves what the time misses out. To get a closer look at their culture, which has been deeply rooted in the soil of the forest for centuries, just visit stall number four at the Kudumbashree National Saras Mela being held on Kozhikode beach. 'Nanga Angadi' is an exhibition and sale of products and food varieties of indigenous people from various districts of the state. The word 'Nanga Angadi' means our market.

Around 100 products produced by the local communities in the districts of Wayanad, Malappuram, Kasaragod, Kannur, Thrissur, Palakkad (Attappady), Idukki and Pathanamthitta through Kudumbashree will be available at Nanga Angadi. The main attraction of Nanga Angadi is around ten tubers selected from 'Noorang' in Wayanad, where around 180 heritage tuber varieties are cultivated.

Eight different types of rice including Gandhakshala, Thondi, Chomala and Rakthashali from Wayanad, luffa scrub, wild mango pickle, wild honey from the Chola Nayaka sect of Nilambur, Indian frankincense, Aadi Umbrellas from Kannur, coconut oil, handicrafts from Thrissur, mustard from Attappadi, small grains and brooms are available. In addition, there is an exhibition of 230 varieties of rice from Bathagude in Wayanad at Nanga Angadi.

H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree performed the inauguration of the Nanga Angadi on 3 May 2025. Kudumbashree aims to introduce the culture of the indigenous people, which is alien to the growing generations, to everyone, and to increase the income of the indigenous people through the Nanga Angadi.