The beneficiary selection as part of the Kudumbashree Tribal Enterprise and Innovation Centre-KTIC scheme, which promotes entrepreneurship among the people of Scheduled Tribes and provides innovative job opportunities, has been completed. A total of eight hundred people from 14 districts, Attappady in Palakkad and Thirunelly in Wayanad district are on the beneficiary list. 36 people have been selected to provide entrepreneurship development training to them. The training for these people, known as incubators, began on 14 February 2025.

Prior to this, a State-Level Workshop was organized in Thiruvananthapuram for Incubators, District Programme Managers, Project Co-ordinators in the project implementation area, Kudumbashree Program Officers and State Programme Managers.

The training programme is planned in a way that will help the youth of the Scheduled Tribes to start self-employment enterprises and achieve professionalism in this field. The first of the training programme, which will last for one and a half years in various phases, will be organized in the months of February and March. There will be batches of 50 people each in every district.

During the training period, beneficiaries will also have a field visit to see and understand the working methods of micro-enterprises and product marketing. For this, they will also get support from the District Programme Managers of the Agricultural Animal Husbandry, SVEP and Micro-enterprises projects implemented by Kudumbashree, and Community Resource Persons of Social Development Projects.

Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, State Programme Managers, State Assistant Programme Managers, K-TIC Resource Persons etc. participated in the workshop at the state level.

The primary learning workshop of 'Communicore', a language skill development project organized by Kudumbashree for children and youth in from the indigenous areas, was organized in Nilambur, Malappuram on 8-9 February 2025. The aim of the Communicore Project is to enhance the skills of the local people in the global language English and to advance them in new job fields and higher education.

The project is being implemented in the first phase in the areas where the Scheduled Tribe Special Project or the Scheduled Tribe Sustainable Development Project is being implemented under the leadership of Kudumbashree. The activities have been planned in such a way as to help in nurturing the language skills of the participants in the training to the maximum.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Babu Varghese, Principal, Malappuram DIET (District Institute of Education and Training). B. Suresh Kumar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission presided over the function. Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree explained the project. Dr. Jayadevan, Director, Kerala English Council, Rupesh, Sam, Academic Faculties led the workshop. 

Justin Mathew, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree,  Muhammed Aslam, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission spoke at the function. Jishnu Gopan, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and K. K. Muhammed Sanu, Co-ordinator, Nilambur Tribal Special Project proposed the vote of thanks.

The workshop, which was organized over two days, was attended by 80 people including children between the ages of 15 and 18, youth between the ages of 18 and 25, Animators and Bridge Course teachers from the indigenous area. Following the workshop, module preparation activities are in progress. Once this is completed, the project activities will be initiated.

As part of the establishment of Kudumbashree Snehitha Extension Centres in all DySP/ACP offices in Kerala, a two-day workshop was organized to prepare a training module for Community Counsellors on 5-6 February 2025.

The workshop organized at the Kudumbashree State Mission Office was inaugurated by  H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree. Bijoy. P IPS (Principal, Police Training College), Anitha Rani (DYSP), Dr. Ratheesh Kaliyadan,  Dr. B. Sreejith, A.S. Sreekanth,  Programme Officers, Kudumbashree, Justin Mathew, State Programme Manager, Feby D.A, Krishna Kumari. R, Preetha. G, State Assistant Programme Managers, Arjun Prathap, Office Secretarial Staff, Psychologists and Experts in the field of counseling were present at the function.

Currently, Kudumbashree is providing counseling services through Snehitha Extension Centres established in selected Police Stations. The aim is to start Snehitha Extension Centres in DySP/ACP offices across the state in this model.

Kudumbashree has a lot of gains in the 2025-2026 annual budget presented by the Finance Minister, Government of Kerala. Rs. 270 crores have been allocated to Kudumbashree. Last year, it was Rs. 265 crores. This time, Rs. 5 crores more has been allocated than the previous year. In addition, a total of Rs. 119.36 crores have been allocated in the budget for the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission, PMAY (U) and National Urban Livelihood Mission projects implemented by Kudumbashree as the nodal agency in the state.

The state budget allocation of Rs. 270 crores will be used to improve activities in the areas of micro-enterprises, local economic development, microfinance and agri-animal welfare.

The state allocation for the National Rural Livelihood Mission and its sub-schemes is Rs. 56 crores in the budget. The state allocation for the PMAY (U) Scheme is Rs. 30 crores and for the PMAY (U) 2.0 scheme is Rs. 10.36 crores. The state allocation for the National Urban Livelihood Mission is Rs. 23 crores in the budget.

Rs. 5 crores have been allocated for the local toy manufacturing scheme in association with the MSMEs of Kerala and Kudumbashree.

Kudumbashree has launched a PSC training program 'Eth Kanav' (My Dream) to help the youth of Attappady achieve their dream of a government job. This training programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Janamaithri Excise Squad as part of the Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree in Attappady. This training centre has been started in the KILA Building in Attappady. Kudumbashree has envisioned a permanent centre for providing PSC training through this project. In the first phase, two batches of 40 people will be trained on four days every week, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. New batches will be started in the coming phases.

'Eth Kanav' was inaugurated by Y. Shibu, Deputy Excise Commissioner, Palakkad during the function organized at KILA Conference Hall, Attappady on 5 February 2025. B.S. Manoj, Assistant Project Officer, Tribal Special Project presided over the function. Mahesh Kumar. M, Circle Inspector, Janamaithri Excise Attappady presented the project. Sanal. S, Manager, Vimukthi Mission Palakkad gave the message against intoxicating substances. Panchayat Samiti office bearers, Excise Department officials and Kudumbashree employees participated in the function. Jomon K.J, Project Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Attappady Special Project welcomed the gathering and Rajesh, Youth Co-ordinator delivered the vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree is organizing Cafe Kudumbashree Food Festivals in all districts from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, bringing the delicious food prepared by Kudumbashree members to your own homes. With the financial assistance of NABARD, Food Festivals are organized in at least two places in each district. As part of the five-day long food festival, various cultural programme and product exhibition fairs are organized in the districts.

The public will get an opportunity to enjoy the diverse food dishes prepared by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs in the respective districts through these fairs. Food festivals have already started in Pathanamthitta, Kannur and Kozhikode districts.

Most of these entrepreneurs have experience in participating in prominent events such as the National Saras Mela and the International Trade Fair. Kudumbashree has provided financial support to the respective district missions for the organization of the Food Festivals. The Kudumbashree State District Missions will lead the food festival.

The location and date of the Food Festival in the districts are as follows:

Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Shankhumukham Beach, Varkala Beach Varkala Municipality (February 12-16), Kollam Punalur, (February 05-09) Kollam Ashram Maidan (February 28-March 3), Pathanamthitta (February 5-9), Thiruvalla (February 15-20), Kottayam Kuravilangad (February 7-11), Kottayam (February 20-24), Ernakulam Fort Kochi (February 14-18), Marine Drive (February 21-25), Thrissur Chavakkad Beach (February 06-10), Near Municipal Town Hall, Guruvayoor (February 20-24), Palakkad Pattambi (February 03-08), Malampuzha (February 22-28), Malappuram Vandoor (February 06-10), Malappuram Vazhakad, Kondotty (February 14-18), Kozhikode Beach (February 2-6), Chaliyam Beach (February 20-24), Wayanad Bathery (February 2-6), Kannur Payyambalam Beach (February 2-9), Kasaragod Kanhangad (February 12-20), Thrikaripur (February 23-29).

Kannur Food Festival Location - -

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eESdRec4GgY3ws226

Pathanamthitta Food Festival Location -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Di6b3coSZ6GNtrk1A

Kozhikode Food Festival Location -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YXSChr7RnHsUN76KA

The logo of the ‘Communicore’ project implemented by Kudumbashree with the aim of increasing the English language proficiency of children in the local area was released by H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree on 3 February 2025. Through the Communicore Project, Kudumbashree has envisioned to pave the way for the indigenous people to advance in new job sectors and higher education sectors by increasing their skills in English, the global language.

The project is being implemented in areas where the Scheduled Tribes Special Scheme or the Scheduled Tribes Sustainable Development Project is being implemented under the leadership of Kudumbashree. Malayalam language exists as a second language in the indigenous area. In addition to this, the community in this area faces difficulties in understanding the English language. This naturally leads to a decrease in the representation of the indigenous population in the higher education sector and the employment sector. Kudumbashree will make efforts to find a solution to this problem through Communicore.

Dr. B.Sreejith, State Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Prabhakaran M. Melath, Arun P. Rajan,  State Programme Managers, Sarika. S, Jishnu Gopan, State Assistant Programme Managers, Arjun Pratap, OSS  also participated in the logo launch ceremony organized at the Kudumbashree State Mission Office.

The fourth phase of Kudumbashree’s agricultural entrepreneurship training series ‘Punarjeevanam’, aimed at increasing livelihood opportunities in the agricultural sector, has begun in Attappady. Kudumbashree is conducting the ‘Punarjeevanam’ training series in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Central Tuber Research Institute (ICAR-CTRI).

In the second phase of the project in Attappady, 40 selected farmers from Agali, Puthur, Kurumba and Sholayur Panchayat Samiti were provided with planting material and organic fertilizers for sweet potato cultivation. In the third phase, the harvesting of this sweet potato crop is also underway. The fourth phase was organized along with this. In this phase, a kit containing one ton of yam planting material, knapsack sprayers, various types of slicers, biological pest control products, agricultural equipment and various value-added products was distributed to 40 farmers.

H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the fourth phase by distributing these materials to the farmers at a function organized at Agali, Attappady on 25 January 2025. Dr. Shanavas. S, State Programme Officer (Farm Livelihood), Kudumbashree explained the Punarjeevanam Project. Dr. M.S. Sajeev, Principal Scientist, Central Tuber Crops Research Centre and Syam K.U, State Programme Officer (IBCB), Kudumbashree extended their greetings. B.S. Manoj, Assistant Project Officer, Attappady Special Project welcomed the gathering and Akhil Soman, Co-ordinator, Farm Livelihood Section, Attappady Special Project proposed the vote of thanks.

Dr. Suresh, Dr. C. Pradeepika and Dr. Sangeetha, Scientists from the Central Tuber Research Centre also gave classes on Biological Pest Control Methods. Around 300 people including Attappady Project team members, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators, various Panchayat Samiti Office Bearers, CDS Chairpersons, farmers and Kudumbashree employees participated in the programme.

The Punarjeevanam Project in various phases has been designed in a way that fulfills the requirement of various facilities required for farming and value addition of products at each phase. The first phase of the Punarjeevanam project focusing on taro varieties was also organized in Kollam.

In this era when we have to witness the closure of some organizations with increasing age, the relevance of the Kudumbashree movement, which is entering its third decade, is increasing, Sarada Muraleedharan, Chief Secretary. She was speaking after inaugurating the Plan Formulation and Audit Workshop 'Spandanam 2025' organized at the  Grama Panchayat Association Hall, Vellayambalam on 3 February 2025 on the occasion of the completion of twenty years of Kudumbashree's authorized auditing enterprise, Kudumbashree Accounting and Auditing Service Society - KAASS. H. Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree presided over the function.

Kudumbashree has played a crucial role in poverty eradication and women empowerment in Kerala. Kudumbashree's success lies in moving forward with determination by creating equal justice and opportunity. The role of Kudumbashree Accounting and Audit Service Society in ensuring financial transparency and accuracy is commendable. She said The Chief Secretary also said that we need to move forward for comprehensive empowerment in all sectors including economic, social and political spheres and that Kudumbashree's innovative projects and initiatives can help in this regard. Sarada Muraleedharan also released a book documenting the Twenty-Year History of the KAASS team.

Naveen C, Program Officer, Kudumbashree, welcomed the gathering. Sonia James, Secretary, KAASS State Coordination Committee presented the report. N. Jagajeevan, Consultant, Suchitwa Mission delivered the keynote address. Vineetha P, Chairperson, Corporation CDS-2, Anchal Krishnakumar, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree, Ramesh G, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission, Anish Kumar M.S, State Programme Manager distributed copies of the commendation certificates received by the KAASS team, who won the National Spark Ranking Award, to all the district teams. Syam Kumar Unnikrishnan, Programme Officer delivered the felicitation. Mini D.S, President, KAASS State Co-ordination Committee proposed the vote of thanks. Then, IMG Faculty, the former Senior Deputy Director gave a presentation on the topic of ‘Audit and Reporting’, Action Plan Formulation and District Level Presentation. There were also artistic performances by the KAASS team members.

The 11th Kudumbashree National Saras Mela, which combines the uniqueness of Indian rural enterprises, culture and art, concluded with a grand finale in Chengannur on 31 January 2025. The people who had flocked to the Saras Mela since the opening day filled the main stage on the closing day. The Saras Mela, which was held over twelve days with product display and marketing, food court, art programmes and a flower festival, concluded with the title of the Most Remarkable Public Fair. V.N. Vasavan, Minister for Co-operation, Ports, and Devaswoms, Government of Kerala inaugurated the closing ceremony. Saji Cherian, Minster for Fisheries and Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala presided over the function.

The question of which is the largest women's organization in Asia has only one answer, Kudumbashree, said  V.N. Vasavan, Minister while inaugurating the closing session of the National Saras Mela. Kudumbashree is able to provide economic prosperity to women by playing a leading role in women's empowerment activities, develop their intellectual capacity, and uphold a rich cultural value by taking it from the kitchen to the stage. The National Saras Mela, which is only held in district headquarters, has been organized in a village like Chengannur in a good manner and has been able to transform Chengannur into the district headquarters due to its organizational excellence.  V.N. Vasavan, Minister also congratulated the Kudumbashree members who made the Saras Mela a great success and  Saji Cherian, Minister who led it in an exemplary manner on behalf of the State Government.

In his presidential address, Saji Cherian, Minister said that a total turnover of more than Rs. 12 crores was achieved through product marketing and the food court at the National Saras Mela. A turnover of Rs. 2 crores was achieved through the food court alone. It is expected that a turnover of Rs. 14 crores will be achieved in the final count after the fair. Chengannur has become a model not only in development and welfare but also in unity. The Chengannur model that made the Saras Mela such a great success can be proudly displayed before the world. The Kudumbashree Fund allocated for organizing the Saras Mela was used for the activities of the food stall and the product display and marketing stall. The Rs. 2.10 crores received from the Kudumbashree members of the district through coupon sales was used for the smooth running of the fair and distribution of prizes. The Finance Department has allocated Rs. 33 crores for the reconstruction of an International Standard Indoor Stadium, including indoor games and a synthetic track. The tender process for this will begin soon. The Minister also said that a state football tournament will be organized at the stadium on April 11.

Tovino Thomas, Film Star who was the Chief Guest at the event, said that the idea of the Saras Mela is very grand and that the Saras Mela, which is jointly organized by the Local Self-Government Department and the Culture Department, is a matter of great pride for the country. He also released the poster of ‘Rasam 2025’ to be held at Chengannur Providence College on 7-8 February 2025. Saji Cherian, Minister presented the souvenir prepared for the Saras Mela to Tovino Thomas.

Saji Cherian, Minister who made the Saras Mela a success through excellent organization, was honored by H. Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree and  District Mission Co-ordinator, Alappuzha. Saji Cherian, Minister, honored the District Mission Co-ordinator, Alappuzha for his organizational excellence. Saji Cherian, Minister  released the novel ‘Pinneyo’ written by Abraham Mathew to Tovino Thomas. Saji Cherian, Minister presented the audio cover of the film ‘Nalpathuakalile Pranayam’ directed by Ramesh S. Makayiram to  V.N. Vasavan, Minister. Saji Cherian, Minister and Tovino Thomas, Film Actor were presented with portraits of Minister Saji Cherian drawn by painters John Kallakadavu and Philipose Niranam and of Tovino Thomas drawn by Arjun Mavelikkara, Milan K. Shiji Muhammed Yasin, Ani K. Ashok, Shainu Abraham and Moncy.

Saji Cherian, Minister distributed the Awards for the Best Stalls at the Produce Marketing Fair to Noor Jahan from Kozhikode Pavithram Foods Unit, Jayamma from J&S Bag Unit, Shalini (Goa) and Harshatha (Maharashtra) in the other state category, and Sreeraj from Kalpathi Foods for the Best Block Stall.
 
Best Seller (Kerala category) was Venma Thalassery, Best Seller-Other state (Rajasthan), Kashmir, Attappady Vanasundari Stall from the tribal region, and the ‘Lakshya’ group from Ernakulam was also specially honored in the transgender category.

Ranjith S, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission welcomed the gathering. Daleema Jojo, MLA, Thomas K. Thomas, MLA, P. C. Vishnunadh, MLA, U. Pratibha, MLA, A. Mahendran, A. N. Nazir, M. Krishnadas, President, Chamber of Municipal Chairmen, G. Sreekumar, Pushpalatha Madhu, T. J. Angelos, Jacob Thomas Arikupuram, Girish Ilanjimel, T. K. Indrajith, RDO Moby J, M, V. Gopakumar, Grama Panchayat Presidents, A. S. Sreekanth, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree,  G. Vivek,  Suresh M. G., Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission extended their greetings. James Samuel, Member, Youth Welfare Board delivered the vote of thanks. 

In the morning, a Arts Festival by Kudumbashree Mission employees, African folk dance by artists from Ghana, Africa, and after the closing ceremony, a dance performance by Neena Prasad and a folk song by Praseetha Chalakudy were performed on the stage. The CDSs and various committees of the district who worked behind the success of the Saras Mela were also honored.