Kudumbashree 'Kanas Jaga' Film Festival of Indigenous Children was held at St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam on 26-27 October 2024. Ten popular films were selected through an audience opinion poll. From these films the three most popular films were selected.'Naranga Mittayi' (Thirunelli Adivasi Comprehensive Development Project, Wayanad) bagged the First prize. 'Daaham' (Attappadi Tribal Comprehensive Development Project) bagged the second prize and 'Network' (Parambikulam Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Palakkad) bagged the third prize for the Best Popular Movies.

Bringing the realities of indigenous people's lives to the silver screen, 'Kanas Jaga - Children's Short Film Festival of Indigenous Regions' flagged off on 27 October 2024 with a world record achievement. 'Kanas Jaga' Film Festival bagged the Talent World Record for 'Most films produced and screened by indigenous children at the same time'.

The Film Festival was started when Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department & Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the festival online on 26 October 2024. More than 1000 tribal children from across the state participated in the programme. Shri. P Rajeeve, Minister for Law, Industries and Coir, Government of Kerala inaugurated the valedictory function. Adv. Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Corporation presided over the function. Shri. Vishnu Unnikrishnan, Cine Actor was the Chief Guest of the function. Awards to the selected Best Films and Awards for the 102 films brought to the Film Festival were jointly distributed by the Minister, guests and officials of the Kudumbashree State and District Mission.

Top 10 Movies as Voted by Audience:

1. Network (Parambikulam Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Palakkad)

2. Chelu (Thirunelli Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Wayanad)

3. Daaham (Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project)

4. Thiricharivu (Parambikulam Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Palakkad)

5. Ozhukku ( Marayoor - Kanthalloor Tribal Special Project, Idukki)

6. Naranga Mittayi (Thirunelli Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Wayanad)

7. Kick (Nilambur Tribal Special Project, Malappuram)

8. Oru Jathi Oru Matham Oru Daivam Manushyanu (Aralam Tribal Special Project, Kannur)

9. Aadyaksharam ( Malai Pandaram Tribal Special Project, Pathanamthitta)

10. Thirutt (Koraga Tribal Special Project, Kasargod)

The Awards for the Signature Song was presented to Shri. Raju. P. V., Animator, Thirunelli Tribal Comprehensive Development Project. Awards were also given to Kerala Gramin Bank and Ernakulam District Mission by the State Mission.

The films were screened in 3 venues named Siruvani, Bhavani and Sairandhri. Seminars were held on the topics 'Cultural markers of indigenous life- Literature, Cinema and Media', 'Socio-Economic Challenges in the Indigenous Sector: Innovative Survival Strategies' and 'Protection of Children's Right to Education in Indigenous Regions: A Changing Methodology of Education'. Face to Face Conversations were also organized as part of the film festival.

Kanas Jaga (Dream Place) Programme was planned with the intention of making the children of the indigenous region excel in different fields according to their aptitude. Through the 'Kanas Jaga' Programme, Kudumbashree aimed to make each and every one of them aware of the place where they live, its climate, climate changes, social problems and children's rights. Under the leadership of Kudumbashree, the project has been implemented in the first phase in the areas where the Tribal Special Projects are being implemented.

The activities were planned in such a way that every child who participated in the 'Kanas Jaga' Programme would help to nurture their senses of nature to the maximum. As part of the training, the socio-economic and cultural characteristics and shortcomings of each region were identified and the necessary solutions were presented creatively by the children themselves. In this way, 102 films were written and directed by the indigenous children themselves.

Kerala Grameen Bank came up as sponsors of Kudumbashree 'Kanas Jaga' Tribal Children's Film Festival. Shri. H. Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree received a cheque for the sponsorship amount of Rs.2 lakhs from Shri. Suresh Babu R., General Manager, Kerala Grameen Bank.

Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree,  Shri. Jishnu Gopan, State Assistant Programme Manager and Shri. Rajesh K.R., Marketing Manager, Kerala Grameen Bank participated in the function held at Executive Director's Chamber. 102 Short Films directed and acted by tribal children will be screened at the Film Festival organized at St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam on 26-27 October 2024. Out of the total of five venues, film screenings will be held in 4 venues and seminar will be organized in one venue.

International Labour Association (ILO), International Training Centre (ITC) and Microsoft jointly organized training on 'Women in Digital Business' for Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. The training was held at Kalamassery, Ernakulam from 14 to 17 October 2024.

The aim of the training was to help the existing Kudumbashree entrepreneurs to improve their enterprises these days when knowledge of digital technology has become essential. Training was given in digital technology such as improving online marketing and sales, accepting online orders, making payments, sending and distributing products.

All the 18 participants of the training received the certificate of globally recognized Microsoft, ILO-ITC. Apart from this, they will also get continuous support to connect with the global business community to improve their business and the opportunity to study for free on Microsoft's e-learning platform. Shri. Isaac Singh Ambrose, Lead Trainer conducted the classes.

Kudumbashree became a star at the Aajeevika Saras Mela being held in Gurugram, Haryana by making Kerala's unique food and various products available to the Non Resident Keralites. The fair organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development at Sector 29 Leisure Valley Park will come to an end on 29 October 2024.

Kudumbashree branded chips and curry powders as well as handicrafts and food products are available at 13 stalls set up as part of the Saras Fair. Apart from this, units from Kozhikode (Navaneetham), Ernakulam (Lakshya) and Palakkad (Sneha) districts also prepare biryani, parotta, snacks, dosa and juices in India Food Court. Kudumbashree NRO is in charge of running the food court.

Representatives from Kollam (Dhanashree), Idukki (Priya, Arathi), Ernakulam (Aishwarya), Thrissur (Thanal), Palakkad (Sri. Ammal, Chamundeshwari, Archana, Udayagiri) Malappuram (Thilakkam, Spring), Wayanad (Swaralaya), Kannur (Vaidooryam) districts have delivered Kudumbashree products to the commercial stall in Gurugram.

Three - Day 'Induction Training for District Level Public Relations Interns' held was organized at Kudumbasree State Mission Office during 17-19 October 2024. Shri. H. Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the training on 17 October 2024. Ms. R. Parvathi Devi, Former Public Relations Officer of Kudumbashree, Shri. Salin Mankuzhi, Additional Director (General & Administration), Information & Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala, Shri. N. Jagajeevan, Consultant, Suchitwa Mission and Former Kudumbashree Programme Officer, Shri. Nafih M., Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree led the classes on various subjects.

Kudumbashree Programme Officers and State Programme Managers also conducted classes on various programmes of Kudumbashree. Shri. H. Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree distributed certificates to those who completed the training.

The Module Workshop as part of 'Dhruva' Programme, which is jointly implemented by Kudumbashree and HLL Management Academy (HMA), functioning under HLL Life Care Limited, the Central Public Sector Undertaking for tribal Balasabha members of Thirunelly and Noolpuzha Panchayats in Wayanad District was held in Kottayam from 7 to 9 October 2024.

Through the project 'Dhruva - Building Resilience & Well-Being in Balasabha members through life skills education', the aim is to provide 13-day Efficiency Development Training to selected tribal Balasabha children between 13 and 15 years of age. 50 children each from Thirunelly and Noolpuzha will be selected for training in the first phase.

The Dhruva Project aims to empower these children with essential life skills including nutrition, hygiene and health care through sports-focused Efficiency Development Training to help them face life's challenges, take advantage of opportunities and lead a healthy and productive life.

Shri. Arun P. Rajan, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Ms. Sarika. S, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Shri. T.V. Sai Krishna, Co-ordinator, Thirunelly Special Project, Shri. Jayan Pookode, Member, Training Team, Ms. Raji, Animator Co-ordinator, Pathanamthitta, Ms. Sreeja, Ms. Priya, Resource Persons, Shri. Varghese, Trainer, Shri. Baby Bhaskar, CEO, Blue Point, Ms. Meenu, Manager, HLL Lifecare Limited, Ms. Namitha S., Shri. Jijo S. Shri. Pramod, Ms. Rajitha Ravi, Ms. Anjali A.S, Representatives, HMA, Ms. Christeena, Dr. Poornima, Representatives, Mehac Foundation also participated in the Workshop.

Shri. H. Dineshan IAS took over the charge as the new Executive Director of Kudumbashree. Shri. H. Dineshan IAS is the 2013 Batch IAS Officer and was working as the Director of Social Justice Department. He has served as Panchayat Director, Idukki District Collector and I&PRD Director. He is a native of Kanhangad of Kasaragod district.

As part of the second phase of the 'Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam' Campaign, Kudumbashree is initiating extensive activities to upgrade all three lakh NHGs under Kudumbashree into Green NHGs in the state. It is aimed at declaring a Fully Green NHG by 15 February 2025 after completing the survey and grading based on specially prepared criteria. The NHG Survey began on 2 October 2024. About 40,000 Kudumbashree volunteers selected at the ward level are conducting the survey. The formation of Green NHGs is the latest initiative of Kudumbashree, which is actively involved in the activities to achieve the goal of a Garbage Free Kerala.

The survey is based on various criteria such as waste management practices in the houses of NHG members, adherence to green protocol in the activities directly carried out by the NHG, activities undertaken to prevent dumping of waste in public places in the area where the NHG is located, activities undertaken to create clean roadsides in the NHG area. Along with this, the ADS and CDS level grading will also be completed. The aim is to complete the survey of all NHGs before 30 December 2024. In the first phase of the survey, NHGs that scored less than 60 percent will be specially considered and actions to improve them will be devised and implemented.

As part of the Mind Blowers State Level Campaign, a two-day training session for Block Level Resource Teachers was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram on 7- 8 October 2024. Mind Blowers State Level Campaign is organized with the aim of developing knowledge, creativity and entrepreneurship among the children who are members of Balasabha. About 300 selected trainers participated in the training programme.

Block Level Resource Teachers were given training to train children according to a special module designed to develop children's creativity and thinking skills. Dr. Rajesh Vallikode, Research Officer, SCERT inaugurated the training programme. Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree presided over the function. Shri. V. Ajaya Kumar, Shri. R.S. Baiju Kumar, Dr. Geetha Lakshmi, Shri. S. Suresh Kumar, Shri. Girish Anand, Shri. K. John led the classes.

The Campaign which is organized in collaboration with the Udhyam Learning Foundation has two phases. 50,000 children are being trained. The objectives of the Mind Blowers Campaign is to help children discover their innate abilities, provide necessary support to develop the discovered abilities, empower the Balasabha members to identify social problems, and empower children to solve problems through entrepreneurial ideas and innovative methods.

The first state level training was organized as part of Kudumbashree's 'Happy Keralam' Project to ensure the overall welfare and upliftment of every individual and family in the Kerala society by making every family a Centre of Happiness. The three-day South Region Training for 70 Resource Persons from seven districts from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam district was held in Kottayam from 3-5 October 2024. The training for Resource Persons in remaining districts will be from 9-11 October 2024 at Vadakara, Kozhikode.

The Happy Kerala Project is being implemented as part of the FNHW (Food, Nutrition, Health and WASH) activities of the National Rural Livelihood Mission implemented by Kudumbashree. Kudumbashree Happiness Centres will be started in 154 Model CDSs in the state.

Those trained at the State Level will participate in the activities of setting up 'Happiness Forums' at the district, CDS and ADS levels. The Happiness Forum is formed by including representatives of the Kudumbashree three-tier organizational system and representatives of local bodies. 'Edam' will also be formed at the ward level with 10 to 40 families in each ward. It will include all the families in the general society. It is in these 'Edam' formed at the ward level that a family-based micro-level plan is prepared to find out the required happiness index for each family.

Adv. K.V. Bindu, President, Kottayam District Panchayat inaugurated the Southern Region Training Programme. Shri. Abhilash Diwakar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission welcomed the gathering. Ms. Krishnakumari R, State Assistant Programme Manager explained the project. Ms. Usha Devi, District Program Manager (Gender) delivered the vote of thanks.