Second Phase of the 10-day residential art workshop, 'Varayude Penma', organised for the members of Kudumbasree Mission associating with Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) have been kickstarted at Pepper House, Fort Kochi on 1 December 2017. The workshop was officially inaugurated by Shri. K J Maxi, MLA. Shri. A B Sabu, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committe, Kochi Corporation, presided over the function, on which Shri. Bernie, Music Director was the chief guest.

The first phase of 'Varayude Penma' held in January 2017 being a huge success, the phase two of the same was launched. 30 selected women from 14 districts across Kerala who had attended the first phase of 'Varayude Penma' joined the second phase with sheer enthusiasm and excitement. The workshop would help the women raise their issues in a creative manner.

Eminent artists Valsan Kolleri, Jalaja PS, Jaya PS and C.Bhagyanath will lead the workshop. Shri. Bose Krishnamachari, President, Kochi Biennale Foundation, Shri. Riyas Komu, Secretary, Kochi Biennale Foundation and Smt. Anita Dube, Curator of the upcoming edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale will oversee the activities of the 10 day long residential workshop.The works produced at the current workshop will be exhibited in a show, expected to be held in connection with the new year celebrations.

The workshop had gifted the women, who were unable to follow their passion because of their worse life situations, a new energy of hope and confidence. The women were selected for the workshop by eminent jury members under the leadership of Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission after conducting a painting competition on the topic-'The most challenging phase of your life as a woman'.

The workshop would help the women unleash their inherent talents within them. It would surely help them realise the joys of creativity and rediscover the love for art.

Cafe Kudumbashree stalls opened at Putharikandam Maidan, in association with Malayala Manorama Ananthapuri Fest from 23 November 2017 is drawing huge crowds. Co-ordinated by Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission, the eateries operated by Kudumbashree units, are becoming the main attraction of the festival. 15 Cafe Kudumbashree units from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kazargode are offering varieties of dishes.

Mouth watering ethinic cuisines likeThalassery Dum Biriyani, Athishaya Pathiri, Turkey Pathiri, Chatti Pathiri, Ghee Pathiri, Kozhi Pollichathu, Kanthari Kozhi, Kappa biriyani and Mulayari Payasam are available in the Kudumbashree pavilion. The transgenders juice counter opened by Punarjanmam Special NHG Unit from Kozhikode is one of the key attraction of Cafe Kudumbashree. The Honey Berry Juice, Green Berry, Carrot berry, Beet Berry, Musambi, Orange and pineapple juices prepared by them are of high demand at the food fest.

The food lovers of Thiruvananthapuram is giving a good support to Kudumbashree Women. Daily sales of around Rs 3 Lakhs was recorded during the holidays and an average daily sale of Rs. 1.5 Lakhs was recorded on other working days.The fest will come to an end on 4 December 2017.

The International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations agency dealing with labour problems, particularly international labour standards, social protection, and work opportunities is joining hands with Kudumbashree Mission. It is for training the Micro Enterprise Consultants that Kudumbashree is joining hands with ILO. Training will be give to the selected MECs from 11-20 December 2017.

International Labour Organization's master trainers will give training to the MECs on the topic 'Start and Improve your Business'.On receiving such aa 'training for trainers', MECs will be capable of creating revolutionary changes in micro enterprise development in Kerala. So far, 31261 Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise units are working in Kerala altogether.

Micro Enterprise Consultants extend full support to the Kudumbashree Micro Entrepreneurs. They also give assistance to Kudumbashree women in identifying the most suitable Micro Enterprises. They also give training, marketing services and Business counselling as well. Kudumbashree Mission gives training to Micro Enterprise Consultants on all these topics.

Following the success of the training given by Kudumbashree Mission on 'Entrepreneurship Development in Agricultural Sector among rural women', its planned to extend the training activities to other eastern countries in Africa. The procedures regarding this have already been started.Uganda will act as the regional centre for all these training programmes.

It is also planned to extend Kudumbashree's activities in Agriculture, Social Development and Micro Finance sectors among the Ugandan society.

Kudumbashree had given 15 day training to 26 senior officials of agriculture, irrigation and animal husbandary departments of few african countries during March 2017. The training was conducted under the leadership of National Institute of Agriculture Extension Management, Hyderabad and U.S.Agency for International Development (USAID). It is in continuation with that training Kudumbashree officials were invited to Uganda.

On receiving the training from Kudumbashree, a group of Ugandan women had formed a Rosella(Hibiscus) wine making unit. It was formed in Namagoma village of Vakiso district in central Uganda under the leadership of Tony Louiezombae, who had received the training during their Kerala visit. The wine making unit eventually became a huge success and now each of the member is earning  an amount  of Rs.3000 per month. They are all set to hit the Christmas markets with their hibiscus wines this time.

Kudumbashree bagged the award for the best stall in the Kerala Pavilion during the 37th India International Trade Fair (IITF), held at Pragati Maidan from 14-27 November 2017. Kudumbashree made the maximum out of this opportunity. An amount of of Rs 7 Lakh was recorded at the stall at Kerala pavilion whereas Cafe Kudumbashree stall collected Rs 10 Lakh.

India International Trade Fair had around 22 countries and 3,000 domestic and foreign companies as participants. Organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the nodal trade promotion agency of the Government of India, the premier event was inaugurated by Shri. Ram Nath Kovind, Hon'ble President of India on 14 November 2017.

The Kerala Pavalion set up at IITF 2017 was inaugurated by Smt. J. Mercykutty Amma, Minister for Fisheries, Government of Kerala.11 product stalls were set up at Saras India International Trade Fair. Total sale of Rs 35 lakh was recorded at the Saras Fair Stalls. 14 Entrepreneurs from all districts across Kerala made their representation at IITF. One Product Stall was set up at Kerala Pavilion, which displays and sells the Best Kudumbashree products from all districts across Kerala.

In line with the theme start up India, Kudumbashree presented the social start ups that Kudumbashree women have ventured into to cater the social needs and to address the social issues.These social startups address the social issues in an entrepreneurial way and are completely managed and run by women. It have high scalability and employment generation. As per the definition of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, any business model which has high potential of employment generation and scalability could be regarded as start ups. Kudumbashree Mission presented 4 women managed social start ups that address the severe social issues faced by Kerala society like Animal birth Control enterprises, Sujalam dig Well recharging, She Lodges and Kudumbashree Geriatric Care. Theme Stalls depicting these was also set up along with Start UP Village Entrepreneurship Programme. 2 counters of Cafe Kudumbashree was opened at IITF by 3 Units from Kottayam, Malappuram and Ernakulam at Kudumbashree Food Court.

Ever since its inception in 1980, IITF has been evolved as a major event for the business community. The event is held between 14–27 November every year at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India. "Start-up Standup", is the theme of 37th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2017.The partner country for the fair in 2017 is Vietnam, and the focus country was Kyrgyzstan. IITF is a major tourist attraction and lakhs of people visit the fair every year. This annual event provides a common platform for the manufacturers, traders, exporters and importers. The fair displays comprises a wide range of products and services including automobiles, coir products, jute, textiles, garments, household appliances, kitchen appliances, processed food, beverages, confectionery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics, bodycare & health care products, telecommunication, power sector, electronic sector, furniture, home furnishings, sporting goods, toys, and engineering goods.

Kudumbashree Mission and Kerala Agriculture Department joined hands together for launching 1000 village markets. The state level inauguration of the same was done by Shri. V.S Sunil Kumar, Minister for Agriculture, Government of Kerala at Malappuram on 25 November 2017. Minister said that its high time that women should enter into agriculture. He added that by joining hands with Kudumbashree Mission it will be a reality. Kudumbashree Mission would be entrusted to process the procured paddy. For this, mini mills would be launched. Its also planned to entrust Kudumbashree Mission for the procurement of coconuts as well. Enterprises for producing sub products like coconut oil etc will also be started along with. Dr K.T Jaleel, Minister for Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala who presided over the function, emphasized the importance of food security and he added that these village market should work efficiently to attain this goal.

The village markets will procure the regionally produced organic vegetables and would help the farmers to get the price for it. A management committee will be formed for the smooth run of the village markets, where Panchayath President, CDS Chairperson, Agriculture officer and farmers will be the members.

Shri. A.M Sunil Kumar, Director, Agriculture Development, Agriculture Welfare Department, welcomed he gathering. Shri. K. Radhakrishnan, Deputy Director, Agriculture Department, Smt K.Lakshmi, President, Ponnani Block Panchayath, Smt S. Jayanthi, Principal Agriculture Officer, Malappuram, Shri. P M. Aarunni Thangal, President, Perumpadapp Block Panchayath, Shri P.P Bijoy, President, Edappal Village Panchayath, Smt. Devikutty. District Panchayath Member, Shri. M. Faisal, District Panchayath Member and Smt. M.T Sajitha, District Panchayath Member also attended the function. An exhibition cum sale of the products from Kudumbashree Micro enterprises and an Agriculture Fest was also organised in connection with the programme.

For motivating the aspiring photographers and to propagate the activities of Kudumbashree Mission through photographs, Kudumbashree Mission launched ‘Kudumbashree oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition. Kudumbashree Mission which envisions at eradicating poverty through women in Kerala had successfully completed 19 revolutionary years.

The contestants should submit photographs that would reflect the various activities of Kudumbashree Mission.The entries should reach Kudumbashree Mission office on or before 5 PM, 15 December 2017. 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. Free subscription of Kudumbashree Magazine for one year will be given to selected 50 people.

Entries may be send to the mail id kudumbashreeprcontest@gmail.com or may be sent in CD Format to the address, PRO, Kudumbashree State Mission Office, 2nd Floor, TRIDA Rehabilitation Building, Medical college P.O, Thiruvananthapuram-695011. The name, address, e-mail id and contact number should be mentioned alongwith. A short note on the photograph should be attached along with. More details of the notiification is available at Kudumbashree Website-www.kudumbashree.org

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Axis Bank will give loan for 10,000 families for collaboration with Credit Linked Subsidy Component (CLSS) of Pradhan Manthri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for all the urban local bodies in the state of Kerala. An MoU regarding this was signed by Shri. S. Harikishore, Executive Director, Kudumbasree Mission and Shri. Umesh Arora, Executive Vice President, Axis Bank in the presence of Dr. K.T. Jaleel, Minister for Local Self-Government Department, government of Kerala .

As many as 68,000 people in 93 municipal bodies had applied for CLSS. The bank will provide loan to 10,000 people from 35 selected municipal bodies. The PMAY aims at housing for all in urban areas by 2022 when the country will celebrate its 75th Independence Day. Under the CLSS, those without houses will get loans through banks at low interest rates for buying houses, or building or renovating them. Kudumbasree is the nodal agency for PMAY in Kerala.

Initially, Starting from this month till February, Axis Bank will provide the loans for selected 2500 beneficiaries in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts. Those living in urban areas for the past three years and whose family members do not have any habitable house in any part of the country are eligible for the scheme.

Shri. Anirudha Shinda, Head, Affordable housing Loans, Axis Bank, Shri. Dushyanth Sharma, Head, National Credit, Axis Bank. Shri Shibu Vargheese, South Zone Head, Affordable Housing Loans, Axis Bank, and other officials from Kudumbashree Mission also attended the function.

The survey for identifying the destitute in the state are progressing in all districts. So far, data collection of 209451 families have been completed.The survey is being conducted using the mobile application specially designed for the Destitute Free Kerala Programme. The survey was launched by Dr K.T Jaleel, Minister for Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on 19 October 2017.

The Resource persons specially trained by Kudumbashree Mission are conducting the survey.They will also take the photo of every destitute family and geo tag the location they reside. The survey is almost complete in Ernakulam, Kollam, Alappuzha and Kasargod districts. By conducting survey in 29297 families, Ernakulam district came first in data collection.

The destitute families are identified using a transparent risk index framed by the Mission. Those who meet seven out of nine risk factors and those who meet at least one high risk factors will be considered in the destitute list. The identified destitute will be given food, clothing, education and proper health care. Assistance will also be given to find a livelihood of their own.

The beneficiaries of the Asraya programme and the newly identified destitute will be the beneficiaries of The 'Destitute Free Kerala Programme'. The 40 % of the total expenditure will be given to every panchayath as challenge fund. This amount will be used for meeting the basic needs such as food, health and education. The remaining 60 % will be met from the fund of three tier panchayaths.

'Bhakshya Suraksha Bhavanam' (Food Security Home), the programme that was launched to attain self sufficiency in vegetable production is successfully progressing in every districts of Kerala. The programme promotes vegetable farming among Kudumbashree Women in NHG level and make avail the cultivated vegetables to the needy as well. Training will be given to those who enroll in the 'Bakshya Suraksha Bhavanam' programme. Best quality seeds will also be distributed to them.

The programme was started all over Kerala in August 2017 (Chingam 1). Initially NHG members of 6 lakh families were given training and seeds were distributed. Those families had harvested vegetables several times till now. As per the present statistics, about 7 lakhs of families are pursuing farming in this manner. The families that cultivate vegetables under this programme are regarded as ' Bhakshya Suraksha Bhavanam' ( Food Security Homes). Specially designed logo stickers are distributed to each and every families. It's planned to create 20 lakhs of Food Security Homes in the next phase of this programme.

Special NHGs like elderly NHGs are also taking part in this programme. The NHG members who wish to be part of it are divided into different groups, each consisting of 4 members. NHGs should register at the concerned CDS by remitting an amount of Rs.10. It is also advised to renew the registration in every season. Each groups should cultivate at least in a minimum of 3 cents of land and they can cultivate in up to 25 cents of land. If the group intend to do grow bag farming, each member should cultivate at least 5 varieties of vegetables in a minimum of 20 grow bags.

Master farmers and Master farming trainers will give training to the groups on the topics such as the need of farming, tips to maintain the cultivation successfully, kitchen waste disposal and making of bio fertilizers etc. Every member is given a packet of high quality seeds worth Rs.20, from Kudumbashree Units, Vegetable & Fruit promotion Council Kerala (VFPCK), Kerala Agriculture University and other government organisations.