The second day of 'Punarjeevanam' - Kudumbashree's Entrepreneurship Development Series to revive the livelihood opportunities in agricultural sector being held at Attappady of Palakkad was filled with insightful lessons on entrepreneurship, livelihood opportunities in agricultural sector by a woman entrepreneur who lost her 'sight' when she was about to enter her teenage. But disability doesn't get in the way of Ms. Geetha who was striving to become independent.  She overcame many hustles, completed her graduation and became a successful entrepreneur who is now earning a good income through her innovation. Geetha is now producing a superfood supplement named 'Curcumeal' which is made out of turmeric. She is also a member of Sneha Lakshmi NHG of Adat Panchayath of Thrissur district. She shared her success story during the session 'Women Empowerment through Livelihood-Success Stories of Women Entrepreneurs'.

After researching for three years, Ms. Geetha developed her product and named it 'Curcumeal'. It can be consumed raw or by mixing it in hot milk or milk shakes or smoothies and is good for everyone from children to adults. According to Geetha, as it is made out of turmeric, it’s healthy and has no side effects. It is a blend of organic turmeric, dates, almond, pepper, coconut milk and jaggery.  She uses 100% pure home grown turmeric named 'Pratibha' which has the highest curcumin content, which is the bioactive compound in turmeric that carries all its potential. According to her she produces the turmeric for making her product with the help of 350 women farmers in Attappady and buys back the same from them.

Geetha along with her husband Mr. Saleesh has developed a website named 'geethashome2home.com' where they sell their products. They are also selling their product through amazon and a few retail shops as well. They have also developed a product named 'First Drink', a curcumin based premix that boosts immunity and vitality.

According to Geetha an independent woman can bring in greater changes in family as well as in society. She interacted with the tribal farmers and entrepreneurs from Attappady and the District Programme Managers of Kudumbashree who are in charge of Farm Livelihoods. She shared her experiences about bringing such an innovative product to the market and how they marketed the same using conventional marketing techniques and online social media marketing channels such as Facebook and Instagram. She also shared the lessons she learnt after the shut down of the organic restaurant they had run for a few years.

'Punarjeevanam', the  Entrepreneurship Development Series of Kudumbashree was launched. Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala launched the programme and inaugurated the first training of the series via online on 12 August 2024. 

'Punarjeevanam' is the  Entrepreneurship Development Series of Kudumbashree implemented across the state to revive the livelihood opportunities in the agricultural sector. The Minister said. This workshop which is jointly implemented by Kudumbashree and Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) at Attappady of Palakkad is designed entirely on the needs of the trainees to equip the farmers and agri-entrepreneurs of the Kudumbashree to perform better in agriculture, agribusiness and other allied sectors. He added.

Punarjeevanam will bring about a major change in the agricultural livelihood sector by focusing on skill development required at community level in each district and year-long continuous training and support. Punarjeevanam is a revolutionary step of Kudumbashree in the field of agricultural livelihood.

Through this project, enriched sweet potato varieties, their cultivation method and value addition, which is a magical crop with great potential to combat malnutrition in the Attappady region and create new livelihood opportunities in the said region, will be introduced. Along with this, guidelines and seminars on other schemes available in the livelihood sector and procedures for starting enterprises will be organized as part of the three-day workshop. The scheme also envisages follow-up activities such as nutrition gardens, agribusiness schools, agri-input, research and development activities and agricultural study tours for trainees.

Dr. G Baiju, Director, Director, ICAR-CTCRI delivered the keynote address. Dr. G. Suja, Head of the Department, Crop Production Division, ICAR-CTCRI spoke on the topic 'Tuber Crops for Sustainable Livelihoods'. Dr. H Keshav Kumar Senior Scientist, Department of Crop Protection, ICAR-CTCRI spoke about the 'Pest Control in Potato Crops. Whereas, Dr. M.S Sajeev, Principal Scientist, Crop Utilization Division, ICAR-CTCRI talked about the 'Value Addition and Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Tuber Crops' and Dr. P. S Shivakumar, Principal Scientist, Department of Social Science & Extension, ICAR-CTCRI spoke about the 'Lessons from the Rainbow Diet Campaign Project. 

On the second day of the workshop, Ms. Geeta Salish, Entrepreneur, Geetha's Home to Home, Amala Nagar, Thrissur will share her success story during the session 'Women Empowerment through Livelihood-Success Stories of Women Entrepreneurs'. Practical classes will be held on Snack Food Production-Chips using cassava, sweet potato, colocasia and yam. Manufacturing of products such as namkeen, mixture and cookies using powder of potato crops will also be held.

On the third day of the workshop, Ms. Aswathy, Entrepreneur, V One, Tholikkode, Punalur, Kollam will share her success story during the session 'Women Empowerment through Livelihood-Success Stories of Women Entrepreneurs'. Dr. Jisy George, Subject Matter Specialist, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha will speak about the Value Addition of Small Grains/ Banana. Presentation of 5 nutritional products prepared from small grains such as Health Mix, Cookies (Spicy), Cookies (Sweet), Porridge mix and Upma mix.

Shri. K.K Chandradas, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission presided over the function. Dr. G. Baiju, Director, ICAR- CTCRI delivered the keynote address. Dr. S Shanavas, Programme Officer, Farm Livelihood Kudumbashree explained the project. Shri. Manoj B.S, Assistant Project Officer, Attappady Special Project welcomed the gathering and Shri. Akhil Soman, Co-ordinator, Farm Livelihood, Attappady Special Project delivered the vote of thanks.

Ms. Smitha, Chairperson, Kudumbashree Sholayur CDS, Ms. Saraswati Muthukumar, President, Agali Grama Panchayath Samithi, Ms. Tulasi, President, Puthur Grama Panchayat Samiti, Ms. Saleena Shanmugham, President, Sholayur Panchayat Samithi, Ms.Anitha, President, Kurumba Panchayat Samiti and Ms. Usha Kumari, Chairperson, Agali Kudumbashree CDS delivered their felicitations. 

Around 300 people participated in the programme. Saplings of sweet potatoes, biofertilizers and bio capsules were distributed at the programme. The Presidents of various Panchayat Samithis received the saplings on behalf of the participants.  An Exhibition of various tuber crops, its value added products, chinese potato, yam, colocasia, arrowroot, ginger, radish etc was also arranged as part of the programme. 

The three-day training programme being held at Nirvana Holistic Living, Sholayur, Attappady Palakkad will come to an end on 14 August 2024. The project is jointly implemented by the Kudumbashree State Mission and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's flagship organization in tuber research, the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI).

The International Day of Indigenous Peoples was celebrated under the name 'Nam Ekila' as part of the Kudumbashree Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project on 9 August 2024. The Day Observance was jointly organized by Kudumbashree's Agali, Sholayur, Puthur and Kurumba Panchayat Samitis. 

Ms. Binumol, President, Palakkad District Panchayat  inaugurated the meeting organized at EMS Hall, Agali, Attappady. Ms. Maruti Murugan, Member, Kudumbashree Governing Body and President, Attappady Block Panchayath presided over the function. Dr. Mithun Prem Raj IAS, Sub Collector, Ottappalam and Nodal Officer, Attappady was the Chief Guest of the function. The elder Head of the Hamlets were also honored in the ceremony. Ms. Saraswathi Muthu Kumar welcomed the gathering and Ms. Santhi,  Secretary, Puthur Panchayat Samiti delivered the vote of thanks. 

Dr. Mithun Prem Raj IAS inaugurated the 'Thaimanam' Project, which is being implemented under the auspices of Snehitha Gender Help Desk, focusing on pregnant women in Attappady. Nutrition Fest and Spinach Fest were also organized in connection with the day celebrations as part of the FNHW Programme being implemented through Kudumbashree. More than 250 dishes prepared with 25 varieties of greens, small grains, pulses and tubers available at Attappady was also exhibited at the programme.

Half Lakh Rupees to Chief Minister's District Relief Fund

Rs. 50,000 jointly collected by Kudumbashree Animators, Panchayat Samiti Officials, Members, PMU Officials, Attappady Snehitha Officials for the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund in the wake of the Wayanad Disaster was handed over to the Sub Collector by Shri. B.S. Manoj, Kudumbashree Assistant Project Officer. Shri. Suresh Kumar, Project Officer, Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) inaugurated the distribution of study materials to Kudumbashree Bridge Course Centres.

Kudumbashree today organized the state-level observance of the International Indigenous People's Day on 9 August 2024 in Kottayam. It was notable that the Kudumbashree members from the local areas of Palakkad, Kottayam, Thrissur and Ernakulam districts inaugurated the day observance.

Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree presided over the function. Shri. Robin Tommy, Head of Research, Tata Consultancy delivered the keynote address. Kudumbashree members from the indigenous areas shared their experiences about the characteristics of their respective indigenous areas and the views put forward by the indigenous people. Shri. Arun P. Rajan, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Shri. Jishnu Gopan, State Assistant Programme Manager delivered the vote of thanks.

'Sajjam- Surakshitharavam Surakshitharakkam' (Be Safe and Make Safe) Disaster Management Training Programme was also started under the leadership of the Scheduled Tribe Sustainable Development Project organized by Kudumbashree in the indigenous area on 9 August 2024.  'Sajjam- Surakshitharavam Surakshitharakkam' (Be Safe and Make Safe) Disaster Management Training Programme is implemented by considering the unique social, economic, cultural and environmental characteristics of indigenous communities to understand and respond to natural disasters. Apart from Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, the training for the high school students in hamlets in other 11 districts was completed by 11 August 2024.

Kudumbashree has come up with a state level campaign 'We are with you' to support Wayanad that suffer from landslides. The aim is to strengthen the survival activities of Wayanad. As part of this, special NHG & Auxiliary Group meetings will be held in the state on 10-11 August 2024 to collect funds for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Actions have been planned to bring the entire amount collected through the Kudumbashree three-tier organization system to the State Mission on 14 August 2024. Apart from this, the amount received from the Kudumbashree State-District Mission staff, various support systems and various agencies will also be paid into the account of the State Mission. No one will be forced to fundraise.

On 12 August 2024, the entire amount collected from the NHG- Auxiliary Groups towards the relief fund will be handed over to the ADSs on the same day itself. Then on 13 August 2024, this amount which will be transferred to the CDS will be transferred to the account of the District Missions. Thus, the counterfoil of the amount deposited by each CDS will be submitted in a Special Review Meeting convened by the District Missions on 14 August 2024. After checking whether the amount as mentioned in the counter foil is available in the bank, the entire amount collected by each District Mission will be paid to the account of the State Mission on 14 August 2024 itself. Along with this, the details of the amount received from each CDS will also be made available separately.

The names of the NHG and Auxiliary Group members contributing the amount will be recorded in a separate register.  When the amount is transferred to ADS, CDS and District Mission, the information regarding this will be added in the register. A receipt for the amount deposited will also be issued. It will also be recorded in minutes.

Even before this, Kudumbashree has been awake and worked to help the people of Kerala when it faced natural calamities. In 2018, Kudumbashree donated Rs. 11.18 crores to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) for the reconstruction of Kerala. In addition, many services were provided by Kudumbashree on that day such as distribution of food to those in relief camps, collection of essential items, home appliances at a low price through the Resurgent Kerala Loan Scheme, cleaning of flood affected houses, counseling to provide psychological support to the women and children in the camps etc. At present, Kudumbashree is carrying out many voluntary services in Wayanad as well.

149 Kudumbashree Community Resource Persons get the A HELP (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Live Stock Production) Accreditation of Animal Welfare Department to coordinate activities in the Animal Husbandry sector. So far 179 Community Resource Persons have received this accreditation.

The Animal Husbandry Department has set up A HELP Workforce along with Kudumbashree to bring the services to the doorsteps of dairy farmers and accelerate knowledge activities. They were selected for the A HELP Workforce on the basis of successful completion of 17 days of Residential Training and third party evaluation through written, viva and practical examinations conducted by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Rural Development & Self Employment Training Institute (RUDSETI).

The members completed the training and got certification at Kannur LMTC, Palakkad, Vagamon and Thiruvananthapuram Centres. At present, the training for 90 people are ongoing. Their training will be completed on 25 August 2024. This year, it is aimed to form A Help Workforce in the field of Animal Husbandry by training a total of 2500 people, two people each in every panchayat.

As part of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, State Level Day Observance will be organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree at Kottayam on 9 August 2024. 'Sajjam- Surakshitharavam Surakshitharakkam' (Be Safe and Make Safe) Disaster Management Training Programme will be organized under the leadership of  the Scheduled Tribe Sustainable Development Project implemented in the tribal area by Kudumbashree.

State Level Training will be extended to Balasabha Resource Persons on 9 August 2024. Sajjam Training will be organized in 11 districts except Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts  at various local on centres 10-11 August 2024. About 30 to 50 children will become part of a training programme. The children from the hamlets will be selected for the training through Kudumbashree Animators. The training will be extended on two topics such as Disaster Impact Mitigation and Children's Rights and Responsibilities.

Implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction Programmes in indigenous areas requires an approach that takes into account the unique socio-economic, cultural and environmental characteristics of indigenous communities. Indigenous sectors often have unique needs and vulnerabilities, and traditional knowledge and practices play an important role in disaster mitigation management for indigenous sector activities. So the 'Sajjam' Programme in tribal areas will be implemented by including these activities.

Every year, major disasters that happen in different parts of the world affect the lives of millions of people. In addition to the threat to life and education crisis, after a long time children are exposed to various types of exploitation, abuse and neglect. Kudumbashree implements 'Sajjam' Building Resilience Training Programme to understand and deal with natural calamities.

Haritha Karma Sena members set a model by returning the diamond ornament found in the garbage and donating the reward received for returning the ornament to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Ms. Jessy Varghese and Ms. Reena Biju, Haritha Karma Sena members got a small package from the garbage collected from Ward 15 of Kumbalangi Gram Panchayath. On opening it, they found a diamond ornament inside. They also found another package right next to it and that was also diamond - a diamond necklace and two diamond earrings. Both together worth more than Rs 4.5 lakhs. They didn't have to think for a second. They immediately called Ms. Lily Raphael, Ward Member. In the presence of the ward member, the owner was found and the diamond ornaments were returned.

It is not new to Kerala now that the Green Karma Sena members find many things worth lakhs and millions from the garbage heap and return them to their owners. Haritha Karma Sena, the guardians of the country's cleanliness through waste management, has become a name of trust. But Ms. Jessy and Ms. Reena went one step further. They immediately contributed the reward they received for their trustworthiness to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) for the survivors of the Wayanad Landslides. Shri. K. J Maxi, MLA and Shri. K. V Thomas, Former Union Minister, who came to congratulate both of them after hearing the news of the return of the diamond ornaments, handed over the award to them.

Alike the exemplary confidence and power shown during the crisis of unprecedented floods and covid-19, Kudumbashree women are offering helping hands to the victims of the Wayanad Landslides. From coordination of the Help Desks to Counselling Services, Kerala's women army is extending their compassion to those who are suffering due to the landslides. 10 CDS Office Bearers are given charge of the Help Desks are opened in GHSS, Meppadi, St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Meppadi, St. Joseph's UP School, Meppadi, Kottanad GUP School, Nellimunda Temple Hall, GHSS, Thrikkaipatta and Kappamkolly Aroma Inn. They will be available at the Help Desk until the camp will be disbursed and will coordinate the activities of the Help Desk associating with Revenue/Health/Police Officials and will update the details of the inmates and the physical conditions to the control room opened at Meppadi Grama Panchayath. 

About 50 Haritha Karma Sena Members selected from different panchayats of the district are active in sanitation activities in the relief camps. Kudumbashree is also extending mental support to the survivors of the landslide who lost their dear ones in the landslide. As part of this, Community Counsellors who work under the leadership of Kudumbashree Snehitha Gender Help Desk are extending counselling services to women and children. More than 450 Resource Persons of FNHW (Food Nutrition Health Water and Sanitation) Project are working in various camps extending various services to the inmates of the camps. Around 30 members including Kudumbashree Executive Members, ADS Office Bearers and Kudumbashree members of Meppadi and Moopainad CDS are actively working here. 

Around 1000 people, including those who escaped from the landslide site and those in nearby areas facing the threat of landslides, are staying at Meppadi Higher Secondary School, Kaipattukunnu Higher Secondary School and Meppadi Juma Masjid. Also, about fifty families are living in the SKMJ School in Kalpetta. The aim is to provide the necessary assistance to them through the Kudumbashree system in the district. For this, various activities have been planned under the leadership of Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission. Kudumbashree District Programme Managers have also been tasked with intensifying and coordinating the activities implemented by Kudumbashree for those living in the camps.

The contact details of the CDS Office Bearers who are given charge of the Help Desks opened are given as follows:

1. GHSS, Meppadi

    Reshma-9947549727

    Sainaba-9605394283

2. St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Meppadi

    Bindu Jayan -8086653422

    Vineetha Sasi- 9447081314

3. St. Joseph's UP School, Meppadi

    Rafeena-9947677513

4. Kottanad GUP School

    Omana-9605627288

5. Nellimunda Temple Hall

    Suneera-8086569833

6. GHSS, Thrikkaipatta

    Shobhana-9745367148

    Vijaya-9526912645

7.  Kappamkolly Aroma Inn

     Bindu-7156630323

Bediyata Season - 3 will be organized in the month of August as part of Wayanad Thirunelly Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree in Wayanad. The campaign poster of Season 3 was released by Shri. O.R. Kelu, Minister for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Welfare Department, Government of Kerala by giving it to Shri. P.V. Balakrishnan, President, Thirunelly Grama Panchayath during a function organized at Thirunelly Panchayat, Wayanad on 28 July 2024. 

Bediyata Season - 3 is organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Thirunelly Grama Panchayat and Thirunelly CDS. The Mud Festival of the youth will be organized at Cherukumbam Paddy Fields on 10 August 2024 whereas the Independence Day Celebrations and Mud Festival of the women children will be organized at Plamoola Paddy Fields on 15 August 2024. On 18 August 2024, the Mud Festival will be held at Kampalanatti Aanappara Paddy Fields. The Mud Football Match for Tribal Youth Club members will be organized at Appapara Paddy Fields on 25 August 2024. 

Shri. P.K. Balasubramanian, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Ms. P. Valsala Kumari, Vice President, Thirunelly Grama Panchayath, Ms. P. Saumini, CDS Chairperson, Ms. Regina V.K, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Shri. Sai Krishnan T.V, Co-ordinator, NRLM, Panchayat Standing Committee Chairmen, Panchayat Members and Kudumbashree Executive Members were present at the Poster Release function.