The Kudumbashree National SARAS Mela, which was started on 15 December 2022 is witnessing an unprecedented influx of people. The entire Kottayam district is flocking to the Nagampadam ground to buy the products of rural entrepreneurs from different states of India, delight the taste buds with the variety of flavors and to enjoy the art performances. 

The SARAS Mela has around 250 stalls of entrepreneurs from states like Rajasthan, Goa, Lakshadweep, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, with handloom clothes, bags, bamboo products, textiles and food products. Also, there is a food court with 25 stalls serving exotic delicacies from different states. Another special feature is that this product marketing fair is organized in a pavilion with an area of 80,000 square feet.

Another attraction of the SARAS Mela is the entertainment and knowledge programmes which consist of various artistic programs performed by famous artists every day and seminars conducted by experts. The exhibition that explains the 25-year success story of Kudumbashree is another attractive feature of this Saras Mela.

The Kudumbashree Quiz Zone set up at Saras Mela Kottayam is attracting masses. Three questions about Kudumbashree will appear on the interactive screen at the Quiz Zone.  Those who answer all three questions correctly can be part of the lucky draw and win prizes on daily basis. Kudumbashree products worth Rs. 5000 will be given as prizes.  

One can become part of the quiz by registering the mobile number and can participate in the competition during any time from 10 AM to 8 PM. The winner of the respective day will be selected through a lucky draw held at 9 PM on the respective day itself. The Quiz Zone was crowded with people trying to use their knowledge of Kudumbashree to win the prize from day one of the Saras Mela. 

Ms. Sunila, a native of Vettathakuvala, Puthupally of Kottayam district became the first winner of the quiz competition. She is also the President of Snehodayam NHG. Dr. Myna Umaiban, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree selected the winner through lucky draw. Shri. Abhilash Divakar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission distributed the prizes.

'Kudumbashree Programmes and Activities', a book detailing the various programmes and activities being carried out by Kudumbashree, which has been in operation for a quarter of a century, was released by Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister for Local Self-Government and Excise Department, Government of Kerala by giving the same to Shri. V.N. Vasavan,  Minister for Co-operation, Culture and Registration, Government of Kerala. The book was released during the inauguration of the National Saras Mela at Kottayam on 15 December 2022. 

The 300-page book is prepared by Ms. Ashamole.N.S (Editorial Assistant) and Ms Chaithanya G (Communication Specialist) who are the members of Kudumbashree Public Relations Team. The book was edited by  Dr. Myna Umaiban (Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree).

A special campaign by Kudumbashree has been launched on 16 December 2022 to ensure timely access to services to the beneficiaries as a continuation of the completed extreme poverty determination process with a target of eradicating extreme poverty in five years.

Food, safe shelter, basic income and health conditions have been considered as the main factors behind the aggravation of extreme poverty. Micro-level plans are also prepared for each beneficiary family to lift the families and individuals identified through the extreme poverty determination process out of extreme poverty.

The micro plan prepared in this way includes all the factors such as survival needs, infrastructure, health care, income, development needs etc to solve extreme poverty. The Resource Mobilization Micro plan also explains the practical guidelines for the implementation of the project.

The Kudumbashree organization system is responsible for verifying that the services are available to the beneficiaries on time and reporting to the Local Self Government Institution if the services are not provided on time. The campaign is to ensure the necessary services to the very poor by working together with the organizational system from NHG, ADS and CDS, District Mission, State Mission and the bureaucratic system.

Various phases of the Campaign 
December 16: Training for all CDS Chairpersons and Officers (Online)
December 17-18: Discussion at NHG level
December 19-21: NHGs home visit, report submission to ADS
December 22: Codification of available information at ADS level
December 24: Codification of available information at CDS level
December 27: Joint meeting with local bodies before 27 December 
December 27-31: Activities to provide services

Saras Mela has been kickstarted at Kottayam. Shri. M. B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self-Government and Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Saras Mela being organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree at Nagampadam Ground, Kottayam on 15 December 2022. The Minister said that Kudumbashree has become a role model that no one can ignore through its activities for the quarter of a century.

Shri. V.N. Vasavan,  Minister of Co-operation, Culture and Registration, Government of Kerala presided over the function. He said that a 'mini' India  can be seen in Kottayam through Saras Mela and Saras Mela is a great initiative that uphold nationalism. Shri. Thiruvanjoor Radhakrishnan, MLA,  Adv. Sebastian Kulatungal Chief Guests of the function. Dr. P.K. Jayasree, District Collector, Kottayam presented the topic. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS,  Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering.

Ms. Nirmala Jimmy, District Panchayat President, Kottayam, Ms. Binsi Sebastian, Chairperson, Kottayam Municipality, Ms. Safna Nasiruddin, Sub Collector, Kottayam, Shri. Ajayan K. Menon, Secretary, Grama Panchayath Presidents Association, Ms. Cincy Parel, Kottayam Municipal Councilor, Ms. Ajitha Gopakumar, Ms. P.G. Jyothimol, Chairpersons, Kottayam Municipal CDSs delivered the felicitations. Shri. Abhilash K. Divakar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission delivered the vote of thanks. 

The Saras Mela was started with a colorful procession from Kottayam Police Parade Ground to Nagampadam Ground at 2.30 PM. The procession was accompanied with Shinkari Melam, Panchavadyam, Nasik Doll and Band Music, and also colorful art forms like Theyyam, Mayilattam, Garudan, Kottakkavadi, Attakavadi etc. Ten thousands of people have lined up in the procession.

 After the opening ceremony, various art programs were also staged. Organized as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Saras Mela showcases a wide variety of products from entrepreneurs from all states of India. There is also an India Food Court where one can get flavors from different states. The Saras Mela will come to an end on 24 December 2022.

Oppam State Level Campaign to provide livelihood and financial security to the beneficiaries of PMAY (Urban) - LIFE Scheme, beneficiaries of National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) being implemented through Kudumbashree in Kerala, urban poor, beneficiaries of Destitute Free Kerala Scheme and Auxiliary group members through entrepreneurship or wage-based employment was launched. The campaign will be organized till 28 February 2023 in the urban areas of the state and was inaugurated by Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self-Government and Excise Department, Government of Kerala at Girideepam Convention Centre, Nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram on 14 December 2022.

The Minister also released the handbook prepared as part of the campaign and the logo of Kudumbashree Initiative for Business Solutions (KIBS). Ms. Arya Rajendran, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation presided over the function. Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary, Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala delivered the keynote address. Adv. Anil Kumar, Mayor. Kochi Corporation and Dr. Beena Philip, Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation were the chief guests of the programme.
  
The Awards of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram' Photography Competition Season 5, State Level Essay Writing Competition organized for college students on the occasion of Reading Week Observance, National Level Short Film Production organized as part of 'Khushiyom Ka Aashian' campaign and KIBS Logo Designing Competition were jointly given by Ms. Arya Rajendran, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Adv. Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Corporation, Dr. Beena Philip, Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation, Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph IAS, Principal Secretary, Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala, Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree.

Shri. M. Krishna Das, Shri. M.O.John, Municipal Chairman, Ms. Sindhu Sasi, CDS Chairperson, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation CDS 1 delivered the felicitations. Shri. Jahamgeer S, Kudumbashree Program Officer explained the project.

Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission organizes Get Together of Kudumbashree Janakeeya Hotel Entrepreneurs of Thiruvananthapuram District. The Get  Together was organized at BTR Memorial Hall, Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram on 10 December 2022. Shri. V. Sivankutty, Minister of Education and Labor Department, Government of Kerala, inaugurated the programme. 

More than 500 entrepreneurs who run 106 Janakeeya hotels in Thiruvananthapuram district participated in the programme. The workshop organized to give guidance to the entrepreneurs was inaugurated by  Shri. Antony Raju, Minister of Transport, Government of Kerala. In the workshop, the entrepreneurs were given suggestions to improve the operations of the popular hotels under the leadership of AIFRHM, a skill training agency in the catering sector.

Dr. B. Najeeb, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission presided over the function. Ms. Sreelatha B.V, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission welcomed the gathering and Shri. V. R Ajmal, District Programme Manager delivered the vote of thanks. 

Panathady CDS of Kasaragod district of Kerala had made a made a notable achievement.  Panathady CDS of Kasaragod has excelled by securing the Award for the Best Self Help Group in South India for the year 2022. Panathady CDS was selected for this honor by APMAS (Andhra Pradesh Mahila Abhivriddhi Society) in Hyderabad, which works with the help of NABARD. 

Panathady CDS was selected for the award based on various criteria such as excellent service provided to its NHG members and good governance. The selection was made from a total of 320 nominations.

Kudumbashree entrepreneurs make record sales of Rs. 58,65,862 from India International Trade Fair held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 14-27 November 2022. The fair was jointly organized by India Trade Promotion Organization and the Ministry of Rural Development. Through the two stalls set up at the commercial stall of the fair, products of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs worth Rs. 4,42,901 were marketed. In addition to that, Kudumbashree units have made a sales of Rs. 10,01,795 from the Food Court. 

As part of the India International Trade Fair (IITF), National Rural Livelihood Mission had also conducted Saras Mela. 6 stalls of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs were set up at the Saras Mela and sales of Rs. 44,21,166 was recorded from Saras Mela.

The Kerala Chicken Project has been started in Palakkad district. The District Level Inauguration of the Project was done by Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at Regency Auditorium, Mezhathur, Palakkad on 3 December 2022. He commented that Kudumbashree is traveling to higher levels and related activities are going on. 'Kerala Chicken' was started to provide quality chicken meat to the public at affordable prices.

By utilizing the integrated farming system, Kudumbashree is mainly involved in the supply of poultry meat to the market and the operation of poultry processing units. For this purpose, an initiative called Kudumbashree Broiler Farmers Producer Company Limited (KBFPCL) has been started. Presently Palakkad is the seventh district where the Kerala Chicken Project is being implemented under the leadership of Kudumbashree.

Kerala Chicken outlets cater to women only. The marketing team assesses whether the outlet has a license, proper waste management facility and other infrastructure and then enters into a contract with the outlet beneficiary. This project plays a key role in making Kudumbashree women into entrepreneurs.

Shri. B.S. Manoj, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission welcomed the gathering.  Adv. V.P. Rejeena, President, Block Panchayath presided over the function. Dr Sajeev Kumar A, Programme Officer, Kerala Chicken Project presented the project. Ms. P.K. Jaya, President, Thrithala Gram Panchayat, Ms. Suhara T,  President, Thirumittacode Gram Panchayat, Shri. Balan P, President, Pattithara Gram Panchayath, Ms. Sandhya A.V, President, Chalissery Gram Panchayath,  Shri. K.Muhammad,  President, Aanakkara Gram Panchayath, Shri. Sharfuddin Kalathil, President, Kapoor Gram Panchayath, Shri. A. Krishna Kumar, Chairman, Health Education Standing Committee, Thrithala Block Panchayath, Shri. K.P. Srinivasan, Vice President, Thrithala Gram Panchayath, Shri. K.V. Kubra Shahjahan, Member, Thrithala Block Panchayath, Shri. Aravindakshan T, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee, Thrithala Gram Panchayath, Ms. Jayanthi Vijayakumar, Member, Thrithala Gram Panchayath, Ms. Saritha R, Member, Board of Directors, Kerala Chicken and others delivered the felicitations. Ms. Sujitha Jayaprakash, Chairperson, Thrithala CDS proposed vote of thanks.