The national food and cultural expo, Saras Mela 2019 had touched every field of art and culture as it completed the successful fourth day. The rate of visitors is increasing day by day and they aren’t hesitated to share the happiness of witnessing such a unique fair.  Apart from the commercialism, the fair also paves a cultural trip in all it means. Saras Mela 2019 is being a perfect way to realize the cultures and distinctions of different states in depth. What they prepare in stalls smells their kitchen back home, what they sell here shows their means of income, what they wear and brought is what we can experience only if we were in that place, may it be Gujarat or Uttar Pradesh or where ever. 

Saras Mela 2019 is running successfully holding its  uniqueness without any fade. There are things to learn and things to get entertained. And when the two comes together, it is definitely enhancing the spirit of the fair.  Apart from sale, there are awareness programmes, seminars, cultural nights, celebrity visits and a lot more. On the fourth day of the fair,  on 31 March 2019,  Smt. Sharadakutty, writer and social worker moderated a seminar on 'Female characters in Malayalam novels' which boosted the fair to the next level. Prof. Dr. Abdul Nasar, Faculty, Arts and Science College, Calicut and Prof. Viju Naayarangadi participated in the discussion. Followed by the brain food of the day, Kudumbashree members and Balasabha children from Chaalakkudi and Thalikkulam blocks performed their talents in the cultural night. Artists of Mayookha Kalaakshethra, Chengannur also added colours to the night. The main focus of the night was the concert by play back singer, Smt. Pradeep Somasundharam and Smt. Durgga Viswanath.

The Saras fair, which is being conducted by the Kudumbashree Mission in cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State government is a 11 long days stretched exhibition cum sale programme. The objective of the fair is to ensure market for rural entrepreneurs and to provide an opportunity to sell their products without any interference of any second person.  Through this fair the rural artisans, craftsmen, and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups (SHG) across India would be able to exhibit and sell their products directly with customers, thereby earning additional income as well as a significant exposure.  Saras Mela 2019 would be an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Undoubtedly, Saras Mela 2019 would add more colour to the festive days of Kerala. The mela would come to an end on 7 April 2019.

Saras Fair, the celebration of entrepreneurship has been kick started at Kunnamkulam of Thrissur district of Kerala, when hundreds of CDS Chairpersons of the districts lit the lamps to mark the inauguration of the event on 28 March 2019.
The gathering of entrepreneurs from the fields of art, craft, food and clothing across India marked their presence as the 11 days exhibition cum sale began at Kunnamkulam. Followed by, the entrepreneurs across the India were wholeheartedly welcomed by a ceremonial procession through the town starting from town hall, Kunnamkulam to Cheruvathoor ground. The procession was accompanied by hundreds of performers with live performance of traditional art forms like daff mutt, kuthirakali, folk song, mohiniyaattom, theyyam, shingarimelam, thiruvathira, karakaattam etc.

The fifth edition of the Saras Fair organised by State Kudumbashree Mission was began with a theme feast- ‘India on plate’.  The food items prepared by the representatives of 29 states and 7 union territories were arranged in a single table. All the people gathered were amused by the varieties of cuisine on a single plate like Puran Boli of Maharashtra, Khilanchi of Lakshadweep, Buttari of Punjab, Sarli soup of Jarkhand, Dal Batti and Churma of Rajasthan, Hadi Chaaval of Haryana, Telangana special Dhum Biriyani, varieties of momos and chaumin of Sikkim, Pothrekula of Andhra Pradesh and a lot more were presented. Followed by the official inauguration and theme feast, the big stage of SARAS was opened to cultural programmes performed by Kerala Kalamandalam artists and a mega stage show.

Pink force, a bunch of women volunteers controlled and managed the crowd on the first day of Saras Fair. In addition, 22 selected women are trained and appointed as pink force. These women force would act as security guards with uniform including a cap and whistle. The main objective of the force is to control traffic and to facilitate vehicle parking space allotted at the Cheruvathoor ground. They are on force after the 10 days training conducted by Kunnakulam Muncipality. T0he pink force will be on power in the upcoming days as well. 

The Saras fair, which is being conducted by the Kudumbashree Mission in cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State government is a 11 long days stretched exhibition cum sale programme. The objective of the fair is to ensure market for rural entrepreneurs and to provide an opportunity to sell their products without any interference of any second person.  Through this fair the rural artisans, craftsmen, and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups (SHG) across India would be able to exhibit and sell their products directly with customers, thereby earning additional income as well as a significant exposure.  Saras Mela 2019 would be an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Undoubtedly, Saras Mela 2019 would add more colour to the festive days of Kerala. The mela would come to an end on 7 April 2019.

Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme has been started at Snehitha Gender Help Desk of Thrissur. The programme is launched in convergence with Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), an autonomous and non-profit institute for entrepreneurship development. Women entrepreneurship development programme for Snehitha beneficiaries is a course of 6-8 weeks duration based on the essentials of conceiving, planning, initiating and launching an economic activity or an enterprise successfully. 

The content of the Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme  include class room training on essentials of entrepreneurship, survey of the prevalent socio - economic scenario, identification of business opportunities, role and function as well as schemes of assistance offered by various constituents of the support system, preparation of a technically feasible and economically viable project report, achievement Motivation Training and also the nuances of management of an enterprise, sessions on technology and finance are also arranged, depending upon the nature of project selected and field visits- different micro enterprises run by women entrepreneurs.  

From the case analysis report of Snehitha gender help desk, Thrissur during 2017-18 it was identified that about 69% of the women were unemployed and having educational status of above matriculation.  In most of the domestic violence cases it is the lack of income for women that makes the situation worse. In some cases the women are not even willing to go for legal action due to the fear of losing the maintenance of children from husband.  In order to overcome the situation, Snehitha Gender Help Desk of  Thrissur took an initiative to start a women entrepreneurship development Programme with an objective of 'Making women financially literate and equip them to start  a micro enterprise according to their area of interest.  
 
The course was started on 19 December 2018. Twenty five beneficiaries of Snehitha are benefited out of the programme. The selection was on the basis of a need assessment report of the registered cases in Snehitha Gender Help Desk. From the need assessment report, 32 women having interest to start an entrepreneurship were identified. An interview was conducted and  25 candidates were selected for the course having graduation and a base in the field of science and technology. The sessions were handled by experts from business and banking field. The participants were actively involved in the discussions and shared their experiences. After the successful completion of the course all the candidates got a certificate which would be useful for them to get Mudra loan, loan from employment exchange,  Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) Loan etc to start an entrepreneurship. The course was completed on 24 January 2019. 

The programme was highly beneficial for the participants it helped them to improve their self-confidence and feeling of become self-reliant. Presently the participants were planning to start a new micro enterprise like Photostat and printing press, women’s ware with tailoring unit etc. individually or as a team from the Experience and encouragement of this training programme. As the first season of the Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme was a success, it is planned to start the next batch immediately as possible. 

Organised by Kudumbashree Mission Saras Mela 2019, the national food and cultural expo, the largest rural exhibition in the country which would offer the best of traditional ethnic food and artistry is all set to begin at Cheruvathur Ground, Kunnamkulam, Thrissur on 28 March 2019. Thousands of entrepreneurs from different parts of the country has begun to arrive at Thrissur with various kinds of products to steal the hearts of the customers. The products includes food, clothing, handmade items, household items etc.  Around 250 colorful stalls are set up at Cheruvathur ground at Kunnamkulam.  

The Saras fair, which is being conducted by the Kudumbashree Mission in cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State government is a 11 long days stretched exhibition cum sale programme. The objective of the fair is to ensure market for rural entrepreneurs and to provide an opportunity to sell their products without any interference of any second person.  Through this fair the rural artisans, craftsmen, and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups (SHG) across India would be able to exhibit and sell their products directly with customers, thereby earning additional income as well as a significant exposure. 

Around 40 entrepreneurs from 5 states have already reached Thrissur. The entrepreneurs came all the way from Goa, Haryana, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Maharashtra to make the fair more attractive with their traditional food items. entrepreneurs from 29 states and 7 union territories across the country will be the part of the programme. Micro entrepreneurs form different states of the country are keeping on arriving at the Saras Fair 2019. The handicrafts that would showcase the heritage and culture of each states, art forms, jewelry, fabrics, utensils etc would be for sale at the Saras Mela. The ethnic food prepared by the Kudumbashree women would add more colour to the programme. 

 The India food court which would be opened at the Saras Fair would offer various cuisines from different states across the country. Thukpa, chow mein, thenthuk, fakthu, gyathuk, wonton and momos would be available at the food stall of Sikkim. Lakshadweep biriyani, lakshdweep mass, keelanchi, chattipathiri, irachipathiri,fish roll, fish cutlet, fish samosa, pookkuthappam, kadukatti, choolala shake, maasappam, thokkappam,kattippaal, lakshadweep halwa, tuna pickle etc would be at sale at Lakshadweep's food stall. Karnataka's food stall would offer rice bath, bisi bela bath, vanki bath, chaat dishes, ragi dishes, different varieties, pulav, bajjis, curries, rotis, golgappa, panipuri, masala poori, akki rotti, chicken kebab etc whereas marathi chicken biriyani, veg biriyani, pani puri, vada paav, dahee dappatta, chinna badam chutney, dahi vada, masala papad etc would be offered by Maharashtra's food stall. Goan fish moli, grilled fish, vada paav, goan pakoda, goan veg dhaali,  varieties of prawn dishes and special goan masala papad would be offered by the food stall of Goa.

Officials of Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation in cooperation with Adebha Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management, Thrissur (AIFRHM) has conducted an awareness class for these entrepreneurs to discuss the rules and regulations, the suggestions and their needs for the smooth participation in the fair. In addition to this, 45 student beneficiaries of DDUGKY conducted a flash mob near Kunnamkulam bus stand on 26  March 2017  for the publicity and promotion of the fair.

Saras fairs help the micro entrepreneurs to sell out their products to the consumers without the interventions of the middle men and would help them to grow better business relations and thereby increase their sales. this would in turn help them in earning more income and better life style. The programme would strictly follow green protocol and would be opened from 10 AM to 10 PM. Only cloth bags and paper bags would be used during the mela. Daily cultural programmes would also arranged in connection with the programme. Entry to Saras Mela is absolutely free.

Saras Mela 2019 would be an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Undoubtedly, Saras Mela 2019 would add more colour to the festive days of Kerala. The mela would come to an end on 7 April 2019.

Janakiya Pankalithavum Punarnirmanavum Initiative aims at building a Kerala model of People’s Plan and democratic decentralization in the post-disaster recovery process after the unprecedented floods and landslides that affected 11 out of the 14 districts of Kerala during August 2018. The project attempts to bring people’s voices and feedback into the process of building a more resilient Kerala and the same is now being implemented by Kudumbashree Mission in association with UNICEF, Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), Local Self Government Department, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Sphere India and Ridhi Foundation.

As per the initiative, feedback would be collected from the affected communities and be submitted to the Government for further activities.The project is being conducted in the administration of 489 Local Self Government Institutions in 7 districts. The project will take into account the needs of the unprivileged, women, children, specially- abled and geriatrics. Janakiya Pankalithavum Punarnirmanavum Initiative will give information support to the areas like health, nutrition, education, child protection, shelter, hygiene, food security and livelihood. The Janakiya Pankalithavum Punarnirmanavum Initiative was launched after piloting in the affected grama panchayaths of Alappuzha and Wayanad districts of Kerala during October-November 2018 in the first phase and later during December 2018- March 2019, the second phase, with additional gram panchayaths in 5 more districts leading to a total of 489 most affected panchayaths across 7 districts.

The Janakiya Pankalithavum Punarnirmanavum Initiative aims at enabling a connection between on-going development planning processes and humanitarian responses and recovery while also contributing to preparedness and resilience-building for future disasters, should they occur. Building on the evidence and lessons learned over the recent years during disaster response across the world, the initiative aims at empowering affected populations and ensuring that they have a voice in rehabilitation and reconstruction decisions.

The rationale for the initiative is the need to focus more to 'Build Kerala Back Better' with stronger and resilient communities, systems and services. It aims at institutionalizing community-led engagements for Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction planning process. The key objectives of the project include improving communities’ access to information about recovery, reconstruction and support assistance available to them and ensuring that they could provide their views on their post-disaster needs by communicating their issues and concerns to the government authorities. Apart from hosting the programme, Kudumbashree Mission would ensure the availability of the Resource Persons training including CDS, ADS and NHG staff, guide the implementation of the community mobilization initiative, interdepartmental mechanism for use of data for informing recovery and reconstruction decision making at state/district level. Janakiya Pankalithavum Punarnirmanavum Initiative had also developed a website - www.kudumbashreejpp.org for updating the progress of the project.

Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission had recently organised Lasitham Residential Camp for Balasabha students. The programme envisaged at improving the quality of the children and giving them training in Indian arts free of cost and thereby improve their talents.The Lasitham Residential camp was of 6 days duration. The arts performance of 700 students who completed residential training was also conducted along with the programme.

Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission had launched this initiative associating with Spic Macay ( Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth), a non-political, nation wide voluntary movement founded in 1977, which intends to enrich the quality of formal education by increasing awareness about different aspects of Indian heritage and inspiring the young mind to imbibe the values embedded in it.

The residential camp and performance were held at Government High School, Kaniyambatta and Sarvodaya Scholl, Echom. Trainings were given in bharathanatyam, mohiniyattom, mural paintings, yoga, manipuri, ottam thullal, nangyaarkoothu, puppet dance etc. Eminent artists Ms. Deepthi Parol, Ms. Deepa Saseendran, Ms. Abhayalakshmi, Shri. Kalamandalam Vijayanand,

Ms. Vidya Pradeep, Shri. K.R Babu, Ms. Sinam Basu Singh, Shri. Kalamandalam Mohana Krishnan and Dr. Aparna Nangyar gave training in the respective art forms. Lasitham Residential Camp was received wholeheartedly by the Balasabha students as it was a warm experience for them which nourished their artistic talents.

Kudumbashree Mission had  joined hands with Harithakerala Mission for launching Jalasabha in neighbourhood groups with an aim of fighting against water scarcity . Awareness classes would be organised in all NHGs as part of Jalasabha programme. As World Water Day is observed on 22 March, special NHG meetings would be conducted as part of the Jalasabha programme  in all NHGs in the state from 22 March- 31 March 2019.

During the Jalasabha special NHG meeting, discussions and activities will be arranged based on the pamphlets prepared on the topic 'Water is life', which would be circulated among the NHGs through Kudumbashree Community Development Societies (CDS). The pamphlets have drawings and text which give suggestions on how to conserve water during water scarcity.  The pamphlets also give idea on how to make rain pits and how to do well recharging effectively. Special meetings would be arranged at Kudumbashree Balasabhas as well. 18,57,000 pamphlets have been circulated among NHGs and 1,43,000 pamphlets have been circulated among Balasabhas.  A total of 20 lakhs of pamphlets have been circulated altogether. 

As per the pamphlet, each NHG family would discuss and implement a water conservation activity of their own.They would note the number of water sources in the locality of their NHG. They would also note that out of the identified water sources, how many are usable and out of the non-usable, how many can be reinstated by the NHGs through chlorination and cleaning. They would also prepare a list of common water bodies near the NHG and would also give leadership to clean the water bodies with the help of the public and MGNREGS. After the analysis and study, the NHGs would handover the details of the cleaned water bodies to Harithakerala Mission and Kudumbashree Mission and get it published. They may also seek the help of Local Self Government Institutions (LSGIs), MGNREGS, Water Authority & Soil Conservation Department to clean the water bodies that NHGs could clean by themselves.They should also make interventions to dig ponds with the help of MGNREGS. The ADS and CDS would monitor the activities and the details collected will be compiled and be sent to Kudumbashree District Missions and Harithakerala Mission.

Pennorukkam Theatre Performance by Rangasree was held at Kochi Muziris Biennale Pavilion on 17 March 2019 . Pennorukkam  Theatre performance was staged by Kudumbashree's theater forum Rangashree. The theme of the play was Kerala's historical women's struggles and their achievements. The entire production has been scripted, designed and performed exclisively by Rangashree itself. Pennorukkam was performed as part of the Gender Self Learning Programme (GSLP). Selected 11 women artists hailing from Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts performed at Pennorukkam.

Pennorukkam was indeed a thought provoking performance which gave messages to the women fraternity to face and overcome any  atrocities against them. The concept of community theater had its origin during 2012. The same was launched joining women who were interested in performing arts. The community theater of each group is functioning under respective district mission offices. Foreigners from various countries and general public was present among the audience who watched the Pennorukkam performance.

Rangasree is a program to train selected women from Kudumbashree in Theatre with the aim of establishing community theaters in every CDS of the State. It also aims to disseminate the messages of social justice, equality, sustainable development etc. Women belonging to Neighborhood groups, who have talents got training and the aspire is to form local cultural organization. Gender Self Learning Programme could be regarded as the first social educational process that would have direct implications on rights and entitlements of women in grass roots. Unlike conventional women empowerment programmes that adhere to awareness classes, gender self learning programme aims at facilitating neighborhood groups on discussions that reflect on discrimination, violence and inequality. Each woman represented in the network is regarded as a participant, information provider and knowledge creator.

Pothichor service providing fresh, aroma wafting homely meals has been kickstarted at Malappuram District Mission. Smt. C.K Hemalatha, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission inaugurated the Pothichor Service at Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission.

Smt. Shereefa of Malappuram CDS 2 is the micro entrepreneur who serves food to the staff of Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission. The food is prepared at the kitchen of Smt. Shereefa. The programme being implemented in the various offices at civil station in the first phase will be later extended to other private offices as well. The food is being served in multilayered stainless steel clip tiffin boxes. Those who wish to have pothichor have to order for the same before 10.30 AM.  They had publicized two mobile numbers for ordering the pothichor. A vegetarian meals consisting of rice, two curries, pickle and pappad cost Rs 40 and for sardine fish fry one has to pay an additional amount of Rs 15. The cost of other fish dishes may vary according to the market price. They are also serving chappathi and curry at a rate of Rs 20 during evening time. It is also planned to launch breakfast services as well. The mouth watering homely meals prepared by Kudumbashree women is whipping up the taste buds of many.

Kudumbashree is all set to launch Aajeevika Grameen Express to solve the travelling difficulties in backward areas. Aajeevika  Grameen Express  will not only solve the travelling difficulties  of the people  but also would help them find a livelihood of their own. 

The Government of India had launched a new sub-scheme named 'Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)' as part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).  The Self Help Groups under DAY-NRLM will operate road transport service in backward areas. This will help to provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services to connect remote villages with key services and amenities (such as access to markets, education and health) for the overall economic development of backward rural areas. This will provide an additional avenue of livelihood for Kudumbashree NHGs.

The Community Investment Fund (CIF) provided to Community Based Organization (CBOs) under DAY-NRLM will be utilized to support the NHG members in this new livelihoods initiative. The beneficiary NHG member will be provided an interest free loan by the CBO from its Community Investment Fund upto Rs.6.50 lakhs for the purchase of the vehicle. Alternatively, CBO will own the vehicle and lease it to an NHG member to operate the vehicle and pay lease rental to the CBO. The blocks are selected by the states from among the blocks where NRLM is being implemented intensively and where mature CBOs are already functioning. 

Backwardness, lack of transportation links and sustainability of service would be the guiding factors in the selection of Blocks and routes. The choice of vehicle could be either e-rickshaw, three wheeler or four wheeler within a cost ceiling of Rs.6.50 lakhs. Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana   will be initially implemented in 4 blocks in 3 districts (Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Idukki) of Kerala. Each block to purchase 3 vehicles. Currently, Enadhimangalam CDS of Parakkodu block has purchased the vehicle (Mahindra Supro).