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.

The 'Dhruva' project, jointly organized by Kudumbashree & HLL Lifecare for children in indigenous areas in Thirunelly and Noolpuzha panchayats of Wayanad district, has concluded successfully. The project was implemented for 12 holidays from 30 November 2024, involving 104 selected children who are members of the Balasabha and Bridge Course, which are part of the Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree in these panchayats.

The aim of the project was to create confidence in adolescents to achieve success in life by developing educational thinking, sports resistance, self-confidence and a sense of purpose through life skills development. Football, one of the most popular sports preferred by children, was selected and given expert training and an opportunity to play, through which they were observed, analyzed and linked to various concepts, thereby shaping the development of life skills in children.

The project, which was carried out by HLL Management Academy (HMA) in collaboration with Kudumbashree with the CSR fund of HLL Lifecare Limited, culminated on 28 December 2024 with friendly football matches. The matches between the Noolpuzha and Thirunelly teams in the boys and girls categories were organized at the ground of Crescent Public School, Panamaram. Mr. Junaid  Kaipani, Chairman, Wayanad District Panchayat Welfare Standing Committee inaugurated the closing ceremony by playing football.

Ms. Rejeena A, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Mr. Arun P Rajan, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Ms. Sarika S, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Ms. Sukanya Isaac, District Programme Manager, Mr. Sai Krishnan T.V, Co-ordinator, Tribal Special Project, Mr. Jijo Pramod, Ms. Anjali A.S, Ms. Rakhi Mohan, Ms. Rajitha Ravi, HMA Office Bearers, Ms. Jaya, Chairperson, Noolpuzha CDS, Ms. Rajani Rajish, Chairperson, Panamaram CDS,  Block Co-ordinators, Assistant Co-ordinators, Animators and Parents took part in the closing ceremony. Certificates and medals were distributed to the children. This was followed by artistic performances by the children.

The Gender Carnival organized by Kudumbashree across the state, giving a new face and strength to women's struggles for rights and freedom, concluded with a colorful event. The Gender Carnival coincided with the conclusion of the 'Nayi Chetna 3.0 National Gender Campaign' organized nationwide under the theme 'Against Gender Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence'. The Gender Carnival organized in all 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree concluded by presenting a modern-day vision of women who are fearlessly coming forward to respond, defend and raise their voices against atrocities. The Nayi Chetna 3.0 campaign is led by the National Rural Livelihood Mission at the national level.

 As per the specially prepared calendar for the campaign that started on 23 November 2024, Kudumbashree had organized a variety of programmes at the NHG, ADS, CDS and district levels in the last four weeks. Most of these programmes aimed at paving the way for the intellectual development of Kudumbashree members, including gender awareness and legal awareness. In connection with the Gender Carnival, an open forum organized on the topic of ‘Dowry and Women’s Rights’, on 23 December 2024 with the participation of various departments, garnered a lot of attention. Programmes such as gender quiz, debate, group discussions involving men, boys and local leaders for gender equality, honoring gender champions, nutritional food festival, and Rangashree Street Play were also held in connection with the carnival.

In the last two years, Kudumbashree has been able to perform well at the national level by taking up the 'Nayi Chetna' Campaign. In a similar manner, Kudumbashree has been able to make the campaign successful in Kerala, this time as well. The participation of 4.6 million women in the three-tier organizational system was crucial in this.

Four-Day State Level Capacity Building Training for Kudumbashree CDS Internal Auditors was held at Thiruvananthapuram from 27 to 30 December 2024. The training was initially provided to 11 CDSs selected for the 'Chalanam Mentorship Programme implemented by Kudumbashree Mission. Each CDS has two Internal Auditors.

Around sixty people, including CDS Internal Auditors, CDS Vice Chairpersons, Accountants, Mentors selected for the Chalanam Mentorship Programme, and City Mission Managers, participated in the training that was held in Thiruvananthapuram under the leadership of Kudumbashree State Mission. After the State Level Training, a three-day training will be organized at the ULB Level for 2 Internal Auditors each from the ADSs of these 11 Urban CDSs.

The main trainers of the training programme were the Mentor Core Group Members of the Chalanam Programme and selected KAASS team members. The training was organized on the basis of the manual and module prepared by the State Mission with the help of the said team. Ms. Beena E, Mr. Abdul Basheer, Mr. Sudheer. N.B and Mr. Nishad, State Programme Manager spoke about the relevance and main responsibilities of Internal Audit.