The first day of the 'Thillana' State BUDS Festival belonged to Sreelakshmi and Arjun. The success achieved by these two 'buds', who fought against the condition of Cerebral Palsy, is immeasurable.

Sreelakshmi Bineesh, who has been training at BUDS Paradise Special School in Thirunelly, Wayanad for five years, won the victory with her brilliant dance moves in Folk Dance in Junior Girls Category. Another special feature is that Sreelakshmi, who was unable to walk due to Cerebral Palsy, started walking and dancing well only after joining BUDS School after doing physiotherapy. Sreelakshmi, daughter of Bineesh and Anitha of Edayurkunnu Kunnuvila Family of Thirunelly won the Junior 'Kalathilakam' Title in the District Level BUDS Festival of Wayanad.

Arjun, a native of Palakkad Sreekrishnapuram, is the State-Level Winner for the Second Consecutive year in the Junior Category Boys' Mimicry. It is with the help of Ramya teacher from Mannambatta Snehalayam BRC, Arjun imitated the sounds of Pullorkudam (a music instrument made from clay, resembling a pot), train and various animals. Arjun will also participate in the Poetry Recitation Competition. He the son of Usha Devi and Radhakrishnan from Chingathu Sivalayam.

In order to streamline the Internal Auditing Activities in the Kudumbashree Organizational Structure, a CDS Level Training Programme has been initiated for ADS Internal Auditors under 11 Kudumbashree Urban CDSs. The training is being conducted in 11 CDSs selected for the Chalanam Mentorship Programme. The Chalanam Mentorship Programme has been started with the aim of improving the organizational structure of urban Kudumbashree CDSs and transforming CDSs into Centres of Excellence.

A four-day training was organized at the State Level from 27 to 30 December 2024 for two internal auditors each from 11 CDSs. The CDS Auditors who participated in this training, the KAASS team members who prepared the training manual and the Mentor Core Group (MCG) are providing the Three-Day Training to the ADS Auditors in the CDSs.

Kanhangad Municipality of Kasaragod district started the CDS level training in CDS 2 on 6 January 2025. The training in Parappanangadi CDS was started on 7 January 2025. The training calendar for the remaining CDSs of Mukkam, Mananthavady 1, Kattappana 2, Punalur, Haripad, Changanassery, Thiruvalla West, Cherpulassery and Koothuparamba has been prepared. The training will be completed in all the CDSs by 18 January 2025. Once this training for ADSs is completed, Internal Audit will be started in these 11 CDSs and all the ADSs within the CDS limits.

The external auditing activities of the Kudumbashree organizational system are being carried out by the KAASS (Kudumbashree Accounts and Audit Service Society) team members, who are the NHG members of Kudumbashree. It is with the help of this team and the Chalanam MCG team, the State Mission has started interventions to strengthen internal auditing in the organizational system.

As part of the Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam Campaign, a Kudumbashree survey has been launched to ensure the efficiency of bio-waste disposal facilities. Mr. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self-Government, Excise and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala performed the State Level Inauguration of the survey at his residence in Kodambath, Palakkad on 6 January 2025. The Minister also said that a completely Waste-Free New Kerala will be declared on 30 March 2025, the International Zero Waste Day.

The survey will be conducted from 6 to 12 January 2025. The survey team consists of a Haritha Karma Sena member, Kudumbashree CDS or ADS or Auxiliary Group representatives. The survey is being conducted using the Haritha Mithram Mobile Application. The survey aims to assess the availability of bio-waste treatment facilities, ensure the availability of inoculum (composting tonic) for operating bio-bins, and extend the services of Haritha Karma Sena to all households and institutions. The district-level inauguration of the survey was also organized on 6 January 2025 in the presence of Ministers, MLAs, MPs and other prominent personalities. Around 35,000 Haritha Karma Sena members will be a part of this survey across the state.

The construction of the Main Pavilion of the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree proposed to be held in Chengannur of Alappuzha district from 20 to 31 January 2025 was inaugurated on 4 January 2025. Mr. H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the construction of the main pavilion.  A 1.5 lakh square feet, fully air-conditioned pavilion is being prepared for the Saras Mela. It will have the main stage, 350 product marketing stalls and 30 food stalls.

The fair, which will provide a variety of products and unique food dishes from entrepreneurs from various states of India, will also feature cultural programmes every day. Entry to the Saras Fair is free. A proclamation procession will also be organized with the participation of a large number of people on 18 January 2025.

The Pavilion Construction Ceremony organized at the Municipal Stadium was presided over by Mr. M.H. Rasheed, Chairman, Kerala Coir Machinery Manufacturing Company. Mr. Ranjith S, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission welcomed the gathering. Rev. Kuriakose Mar Gregorius Thirumeni, Kandarar Mohanar, Sabarimala Thanthri, and Al Ustad Naufal Falili Kollam delivered speeches.

Mr. G.Vivek, Convener, Publicity Committee, Ms. Sreekala, Chairperson, Chengannur Municipality CDS, Mr. Sreekanth A.S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Various Sub Committee Chairmen, Conveners, Members, and Public Representatives participated in the programme.

The Ujjwala Balyam Award, given by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Kerala to encourage children who demonstrate exceptional talent in different fields, was awarded to a student of Kudumbashree BUDS School and 3 Balasabha Members. Aju V.J, Student, Thirunelly BUDS Paradise Special School, Wayanad, Havena Binu, Member, Madhuram Balasabha, Kondazhy Thrissur, Jefy Alocious, Member, Kilikood Balasabha, Cherthala South, Alappuzha, Sruthi Sandra S, Member, Ambady Balasabha, Paravoor Municipality, Kollam are the winners of the Award. The children who have shown excellence in various fields such as art, sports, literature, science, and environmental protection were selected for the award.

The prize coupon sale as part of the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree in Chengannur, Alappuzha district, which provides various products and unique resources from rural entrepreneurs across India, has begun. Prizes including cars, two-wheelers and gold coins await the winners. The prize coupon sale was inaugurated by Mr. Saji Cherian, Minster for Fisheries, Youth Affairs and Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala  on 2 January 2025. Ms. Shobha Varghese, Chairperson, Chengannur Municipality received the tickets. Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission is responsible for the draw.

The Reception Committee Office of the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree proposed to be held in Chengannur, Alappuzha was inaugurated by Mr. Saji Cherian, Minster for Fisheries, Youth Affairs and Cultural affairs, Government of Kerala on 2 January 2025. The Reception Committee Office is located at the Relief LP School Ground near the Chengannur KSRTC Bus Stand.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Ms. Shobha Varghese, Chairperson, Chengannur Municipality. Mr. O.S. Unnikrishnan, Chairman, Folklore Academy, Mr. M.H. Rasheed, Chairman, KCMMC, Mr. M. Sasikumar, Chairman, Taluk Circle Cooperative Union, Ms. Valsala Mohan, Ms. Hemalatha Mohan, Mr. G. Vivek, Mr, Anil P. Sreerangam, District Panchayath Members and Mr.  S. Ranjith,  District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission spoke at the function.

A State Level Workshop was organized as part of the Kudumbashree RISE (Revitalizing Institution and Strengthening Excellence) campaign aimed at strengthening the organizational structure by improving the operational efficiency and transparency of Kudumbashree CDSs. The campaign aims to strengthen the three-tier organizational structure as a whole by improving the operational efficiency and transparency of all 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree.

As part of the campaign activities, a large-scale monitoring system is being prepared to monitor the entire activities of Kudumbashree CDS and thereby strengthen the system. A workshop to finalize this monitoring system was organized at the Kudumbashree State Mission Office on 4 January 2025. Kudumbashree Mission officials and employees assigned to enhance the operational efficiency of CDSs under the name 'My CDS' are co-ordinating various activities as part of the campaign.

The lucky symbol, poster and theme song competition winners of the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree proposed to be held from 20 to 31 January 2025 in Chengannur, Alappuzha district have been selected. Mr. Nithin, a native of Seethathodu, Pathanamthitta, was the winner of the lucky symbol and poster competitions. Ms. P. Jayalakshmi, a member of Kairali NHG in Bharanikavu Panchayath in Alappuzha district, is the winner of the theme Song Competition. Both will be presented with cash prizes at the closing ceremony of the Saras Mela.

‘Cheeru’, a baby duck, rowing a small boat with a carp in one hand, has been selected as the lucky symbol, evoking the traditional characteristics of Alappuzha.

As a New Year's gift, the salary of Kudumbashree Block Co-ordinators has been increased by Rs. 5000. The salary, which was Rs.15,000, has been increased to Rs. 20,000. The salary of MIS Block Co-ordinators, who handle three sections of Kudumbashree Organization, Micro Finance and Management Information System (MIS), has been increased. The 152 Block Co-ordinators working on contract basis in 152 blocks in the state in connection with strengthening Kudumbashree activities, will benefit from this. Rs. 3.64 crores has been allocated in the NRLM Annual Action Plan for the salary hike of MIS Block Co-ordinators.

Along with the salary hike, the salary of all Block Co-ordinators working under various schemes under Kudumbashree has been unified at Rs. 20,000. Last month, the Government had decided to grant a monthly Travel Allowance of Rs. 500 to CDS members, except the Chairperson. An annual expenditure of Rs. 11.02 crores will be spent on this item for the 18,400 CDS members.