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). 

Kudumbashree opened RO Plant at Pathanamthitta Municipality premises to make avail pure drinking water. The first RO Plant of Pathanamthitta district started under Kudumbashree Mission was inaugurated on 05 March 2019 by Adv. Geetha Suresh, Municipal Chairperson in the presence of  Smt. Bindhu.V.C,Managing Director, Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation Ltd. (KSWDC) and Shri. K.Vidhu, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission.

The bottled drinking water was named as ‘Nagara Thelima’. Kudumbashree Mission had launched the idea of launching a Reverse Osmosis Plant to produce bottled drinking water, as part of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission Project being implemented in Kerala. A Kudumbashree group named 'Thelima' comprising of 4  members from Ward No. 24 and 25 of Pathanamthitta  Municipality registered under NULM as an enterprise is entrusted with the charge of running the distribution system with a financial aid of Rs.150000 from bank of Baroda. Kudumbashree is implementing the project with the help of New Delhi based Dharna Infrastructure Private Limited.

It is decided to sell the purified drinking water cans at a nominal charge of just Rs 35. The consumer have to give RS 25 only for 20 litres of pure drinking water.  The water is purified using reverse osmosis technology to treat the filtered water. The water will be then purified through ultraviolet treatment and the purity of the water is ensured. The total project cost Rs.25 lakhs is met by Pathanamthitta municipality.
 
The demand for purified drinking water can be better converted into an enterprise opportunity and the Mission intends to open more such plants  across the state. 'Nagara Thelima’, purified drinking water, distributed to the people of  in reasonable prices during this time of water scarcity is really being a boon to the public.

The date for submitting entries for 'Kudumbashree oru Nerchithram' Season 2- Photography Competition is extended till 31 March 2019. Kudumbashree Mission launched Season 2 of ‘Kudumbashree or Nerchithram’ Photography Competition for motivating the aspiring photographers and to propagate the activities of Kudumbashree Mission through photographs. Kudumbashree Mission which envisions at eradicating poverty through women in Kerala had successfully completed 20 revolutionary years.

The contestants should submit photographs that would reflect the 18 priority projects of Kudumbashree Mission.The entries should reach Kudumbashree Mission office on or before 31 March 2019. The jury comprising of renowned photographers and officials of Kudumbashree Mission will select the winner. The Award for the Best Photographer will be Rs 20,000. The second prize and third prize will be Rs 10,000 and Rs 5000 respectively. Rs 1000 each will be issued for 10 entries as consolation prizes.

Entries may be send to the mail id- kudumbashreeprcontest@gmail.com or may be sent in CD Format to the address, The Executive Director, Kudumbashree State Mission Office, Trida Building, Medical college P.O, Thiruvananthapuram-695011. The name, address, mail id and contact number should be mentioned alongwith. A short note on the photograph should be attached along with. More details of the notification is available at Kudumbashree website- www.kudumbashree.org

The first season of ‘Kudumbashree or Nerchithram’ was conducted during November- December 2017 and was a grant success. More than 500 photographs were received and it is on following the success of the competition, that the season 2 of the competition was launched.

Kudumbashree Mission in collaboration with Kochi Muziris Biennale, conducted a public conversation forum on 'Women and Culture in Kerala' at Biennale Pavilion Cabral Yard, Fort Kochi on 06 March 2019. The program provided a forum for the women from grass root level; who were empowered through Kudumbashree Mission to enhance their aesthetic skills and to present their experiences. A panel of three eminent personals specializing in similar fields contributed their expertise in the programme. The panel included Smt. Kavitha Balakrishnan (poet, painter and art curator), Dr.Suneetha T V (writer and Associate Professor,Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University) and Smt. Shailaja J (Secretary of the State ad hoc committee of NATAK).

Women from Kudumbashree Network presented their experiences regarding their entry into the cultural field, the hurdles faced and their achievements. Smt. Bushra from the field of literature, Mrs Savithri, a member of the Kudumbasree State Gender Resource Pool, Smt. Sherly, a member of ‘Rangashree’, Kudumbashree's community theatre team, and Smt. Annie, a representative from ‘Varayude Penma’ programme shared their experiences of empowerment and success achieved in nourishing their aptitudes through Kudumbashree Mission. All the 4 presenters expressed their gratitude towards Kudumbashree Mission, which played a vital role in their life, to full fill their interests and innate abilities which were buried in the course of life, due to several reasons. All of them stated that through different trainings and interactions they were self motivated and their position was elevated as compared to the previous situation. Several new opportunities are opened for them to step forward in the respective fields. Bushra shared the story of motivation which leads her to publish a women's magazine. Savithri, who evade from her writing hobby after marriage, are empowered through her entry into 'Sahithya Surabhi' team and she showcased her talent as a trainer as well. She also contributed to the preparation of learning module based on ‘Gender-Equality and Justice’ developed by Kudumbashree for Gender Self Learning Programme (GSLP). Sherly told that she gained confidence to address an audience only after her involvement in Rangashree program. Moreover her contributions to Rangashree made her famous in the district. Annie explained the change happened within her, who started as a competitor in the district level painting competition, later assigned to coordinate the team members of ‘Varayude Penma’.

All the experts in the panel appreciated Kudumbashree Mission for its contribution in women empowerment by addressing gender in different dimensions. Dr. Kavitha mentioned that women should be sometimes least obedient to accomplish their dreams. Smt. Shilaja told that women should be free from body consciousness to move forward. There should be a world which treats both women and men equal, instead of securing women with reservation. If there is equality there is no need for formal system to empower women. she said. Dr. Suneetha shared her memory of a talk show participated in 2001 when women from Kudumbashree explained their accomplishment in IT field. She told that she saw the same enthusiasm in the participants of this talk show who succeed in yet another field. Art, science or literature whatever the field may be, are the channels through which women can be brought equal to men. Vigilant group members from Kochi west CDS and the public including foreigners who visited Biennale constituted the audience. Audience also interacted with the panel members.

Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission launched 'Pink Auto' service at Kunnamkulam. The Pink Auto  was launched on 8 March 2019, International Women's day. It is launched as part of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) Project being implemented in Kerala.  The Pink Auto is driven by Smt. Sherly Suresh, a micro entrepreneur of Kudumbashree  Mission hailing from Adupputty, Kunnamkulam. Rs 3.92 lakhs was the total project cost, out of which 85 % of the cost was availed through bank loan and the rest 15 % was availed as beneficiary share.

As the 'Pink Auto' is fixed with fare meter, the consumer need not to give any extra charges. The 'Pink Auto' is fixed with Global Positioning System (GPS) which ensure safe journey.  The Pink Auto is parked at the municipal office premises and is used for personal site checking as well. The 'Pink Auto' is at service at Kunnumkulam municipality from 10 AM to 5 PM. Those who come to Kunnumkulam municipality and the municipality staff are making use of the Pink Auto service.  Kunnamkulam Urban Local Body (ULB) extended training and helped the beneficiary secure driving licence.  After the municipality office working hours,' Pink Auto' would be at service for the public as well.  Smt. Sherly Suresh is getting more than Rs 1000 a day by extending Pink Auto services. For the first six months, the NULM office will directly control the operations of the Pink Auto services.

Kudumbashree opens RO Plant at Payyanur Municipality premises to make avail pure drinking water during scorching summer. The RO plant opened at Payyanur Municipality office premises is located near to Payyanur bus stand. A four member team of Kudumbashree women is entrusted with the charge of running the RO plant and supply the drinking water cans. The programme was officially launched on 7 March 2019. The bottled drinking water was named as ‘Sheethalam’. Kudumbashree had launched the idea of launching a Reverse Osmosis Plant to produce bottled drinking water, as part of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission Project being implemented in Kerala.  

Kudumbashree is implementing the project with the help of New Delhi based Dharna Infrastructure Private Limited. The public need to give a nominal charge of just Rs 30 for 20 litres of pure drinking water. The plant has the capacity to purify 500 litres of water per hour. The water is purified using reverse osmosis technology to treat the filtered water. The water will be then purified through ultraviolet treatment and the purity of the water is ensured. Rs. 12,75,000 is the total project cost out of which Rs 6 lakhs was the share of  Urban Local Body (ULB) and the rest of the project cost was funded through the loan availed by Kudumbashree members. 

Water Vending Machine, which would enable the consumer to avail 1 litre of water at a rate of Rs 1 would be open soon. It is also planned to extend the activities of the RO plant and to extend the same to the next phase. The demand for purified drinking water can be better converted into an enterprise opportunity and the Mission intends to open more such plants  across the state. 'Sheethalam’, purified drinking water, distributed to the people of Payyanur in reasonable prices during this time of water scarcity is really being a boon to many.

Kudumbashree's Mahila Mall received Best Entrepreneur Award  constituted by Kerala State Women Development Corporation. Smt. K.K Shailaja, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Government of Kerala handed over the award to Smt. Vijaya at the function held at Nishagandhi Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram on 8 March 2019.

Mahila Mall was launched by Kudumbashree Kozhikode Corporation CDS on 24 November 2018. The Mahilla Mall, run entirely by women is a unique project in the country, which is started by ten women of Unity Group under Kudumbashree Mission in an area of over 36,000 sqft. Mahila Mall, located at Wayanad road near Mavoor Road Junction is claimed to be first of its kind venture in the country. Apart from Kudumbashree workers and groups, women societies and private entrepreneurs had hired space in the mall. 85 percent of the shops are owned by Kudumbashree groups while 15 percent are owned by private women entrepreneurs and other women collectives. Mahila Mallhas 6 floors and out of that the 4th floor is allocated for women related offices and agencies while the rooftop is an open air food court. The Mall is designed for the women and is run by the women. All the shops in the mall have been sold out. The Mahila Mall project is executed with the support of Kozhikode Kudumbashree District Mission and it will also help women entrepreneurs to showcase their output in handicraft, fashion designing travel, tourism etc.

Apart from Kudumbashree workers and groups, women societies and private entrepreneurs had hired space in the mall. The Mahila Mall provides direct employment to 250 women and indirect employment to 500 women. The mall has 79 shops including health clubs, martial arts centres, spa, skill training centres, food courts, textile shops,etc. 

 Mahila Mall  provides an opportunity to small entrepreneurs to promote their business with the concept of Micro Bazar inside the Mahila Mall, which is one of the main attractions of the Kudumbashree Mall. There are a total of 24 micro bazaars which will offer customers home-made items manufactured by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. The timing of Mahila Mall on week days will be from 10 AM to 10 PM and on weekends, the closing time will be extended till 11 PM. 79 ventures in the mall will be directly run by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. The mall has 2 lift and the area is under 24 hour CCTV surveillance and good parking facility also provided near to the premise. The Mahila Mall is an icon of women’s empowerment achieved by Kudumbashree Mission.

Three Kudumbashree Micro Entrepreneurs bags Women Entrepreneur Award as part of the 3rd National Rural Entrepreneurs Meet 2019 constituted by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Tuljapur, Maharashtra. The Awards were conferred for Kudumbashree's Santhwanam Elder Care Centre, Thrissur, Kudumbashree Women Food Court, Thrissur and Santhwanam Eco Tourism Centre, Konni, Pathanamthitta. Smt. Sindhu V.T, Smt. Jiji Royson, and Smt. Hena received the awards at the programme held at   Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Tuljapur Campus, Maharashtra on 6 March 2019. 

National Rural Entrepreneurs Meet is considered to be Asia’s First Rural Entrepreneurs Platform.  Women Entrepreneur Award is given to a woman or a group of women running enterprises in rural areas creating livelihood opportunities for others. Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Tuljapur was established with focus of rural development related issues. A master programme was introduced for Social Innovations and Entrepreneurship aiming at giving a complete understanding of the rural setup and enabling them to identify the resources available in villages and to test feasibility of entrepreneurial activities to address social problem through entrepreneurial activities. 

The students of TISS visited as many villages during the past years and during the interactions with the rural people it is observed that some of the forward looking people have started entrepreneurial activities with their limited resources and helping the fellow beings.  It was noticed that there is entrepreneurial aspiration but what lacks is appreciation and guidance in finding the path to bring the ideas to reality. Understanding this situation and addressing this problem a platform is required to inspire, motivate and guide towards their career as there was no specific platform to encourage rural entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial aspirants and students in India. Tata Institute of Social Sciences as a institute addresses community problems with innovative way since its inception, hence an attempt has been made to organize a Rural Entrepreneurs Meet. The Rural Entrepreneurs Meet is organized  with  rural entrepreneurs, rural innovators and students for appreciating existing entrepreneurs in villages,  and creating a platform to inspire rural youth and provide an opportunity to students to express their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission is planning to introduce a mobile application for the better performance of DDU-GKY (Deendayal Upadyay Grameen Kaushal Yojana) registration and for widening the scope of the program. The design part  of the app is completed and will be active soon.

Job seekers can register in the DDUGKY skilling program through this application, in which they must enter the personal details and educational qualifications. This would help the district mission team to consolidate the details and the benefits will reach the right people with effect. Introduction of mobile application will take the DDUGKY program to comparatively more people and would help in the easy process of application. Mobile Application itself will work as  communication tool and with the links itself job seekers can reach the application and people can apply for the training.   All eligible beneficiaries can apply through the mobile application, which will reduce the block of information and reach the candidates smoothly will reduce the middle problems which keeps beneficiary in distance. The course details would  be made  available to them as per their qualifications and availability of course. The training company can accept the request with relation to their capacity. 

Social media coverage is another added advantage. The application with the link could be send to the public. This will also work as a less expense advertisement. The program will be known to public with the help of application.  The Application can be easily referred to the known people as their own. Simply they can send links to the people who need the support. Beneficiaries can apply at any time 24×7 freely. This will be useful for the public as they are not compelled to attend the mobilization meeting. And also the youth can choose the course as per their aspiration and qualification. This will make the program available to all the youth in rural area without any information transfer block. When the interested beneficiary register, notification will be send to the respective companies and the data will be saved with the district mission team. After the training and appointment of the candidate the company will send another notification to distract team. This process of communication will help the documentation process to be carried out effectively.  The app could also generate specific reports for the analysis and it will be helpful for the future planning and development.  Introduction of new application will reduces the drop out rate and can also increase the registration rate.

DDU-GKY, the skill training and placement programme under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) occupies a unique position amongst the other skill training programmes due to its focus to the poor rural youth and its emphasis on sustainable employment through the prominence and incentives given to post placement tracking, retention and career progression.

Kudumbashree receive Ramoji Film City's CSR fund for constructing 116 houses in Alappuzha. The agreement regarding the same would be signed at the function held at Camelot Convention Centre, Pathirappally, Alappuzha on 1 March 2019.  Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister for Local Self Governments, Government of Kerala inaugurated the function.Dr T.M Thomas Issac, Minister of Finance and Coir, Government of Kerala was also present at the function.

 Ramoji film city, the world’s largest integrated film city and India's only thematic holiday destination had offered Rs 7 crores for building houses for the people in the flood hit areas of Alappuzha.  It is as per the request of Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala that Ramoji Film City came forward with the CSR fund for constructing the houses in Alappuzha. As per the agreement, a total of 116 houses would be built in the district. It is planned to finish the construction of houses within 6 months. Construction of each house would cost around Rs 6 lakhs. Kudumbashree had identified the beneficiaries  and forwarded the list to the CSR committee of Ramoji Film City. 

Kudumbashree women construction groups will undertake the construction works of 116 houses. The construction of the houses would be started by the first week of March itself. The project would be implemented in three phases and the construction of 35 houses would be completed in the first phase. 40 and 41 houses would be built in the second and third phase respectively. Kudumbashree Misison had formed 'Nirmashree', a labour contracting society, joining 55 Kudumbashree women construction groups which has more than 250 members. The Nirmashree Labour Contracting Society will undertake the construction of the 116 houses which is proposed to be built in the district.