A total sale of more than Rs. 12 crores was recorded from the 12 day long National SARAS Mela organized at Kanakakunnu Palace Ground, Thiruvananthapuram under the leadership of Kudumbashree. Kudumbashree was able to make a sales of Rs. 12,21,24,973 in the SARAS Mela, where various products of the rural entrepreneurs across the country and the delicious cuisines from other states were brought for sale. The public had wholeheartedly welcomed the SARAS Mela 2022. The SARAS Mela held at Thiruvananthapuram had made record sales, out of the SARAS Melas organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree, till now. 

The SARAS Mela 2022 was held from 30 March to 10 April 2022. Various products such as jewelry, fabrics, leather etc. were arranged at 237 stalls for exhibition and sale. A food court comprising of 25 food stalls were opened for offering indigenous cuisines of 15 states. The food court and the daily cultural programmes organized in connection with the SARAS Mela has really attracted the public. Sales of Rs. 11,38,87,543 was recorded from the product exhibition- sales stalls itself. Sales of Rs. 82,37,520 were recorded from the Food Court. It is for the seventh time, SARAS Mela was organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree.

Sales of Rs. 3.98 crores were recorded through the Vishu Markets of Kudumbashree organized across the state. Ernakulam district came first by making a sales of Rs. 63 lakhs, Whereas Kasaragod district and Thrissur district came in the second and third places by making sales of Rs. 41 lakhs and Rs. 40 lakhs respectively. The products of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and Kudumbashree Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) were brought under one roof through the Vishu Markets of Kudumbashree.

A total of 956 Vishu Markets were organized across the state for a minimum of three days from 10 April 2022 to the Vishu Day, 15 April 2022. The flour, curry powders, chips etc produced by 15,889 enterprises and different kinds of vegetables produced by the 14,358 JLGs were arranged through the Vishu Markets. Ernakulam district organized the maximum number of Vishu Markets. They were able to organize 101 Vishu Markets. In addition to the CDS level Vishu Markets, Ernakulam, Kasaragod and Kottayam districts had organized District Level Vishu Markets as well.

Young Entrepreneurs from Aryad Block of Alappuzha district launched fresh milk and egg in Kudumbashree brand. Shri. P. P Chitharanjan, MLA, Alappuzha Constituency launched the fresh milk and egg in Kudumbashree brand. Shri. T. V Ajith Kumar, President, Grama Panchayath presided over the function. Aryad is one among the 28 blocks in the state in which special activities are implemented after being selected by Kudumbashree as the Intensive Block in Animal Husbandry sector for 2021-22.

Men and women from Aryad block who belong to Kudumbashree families were extended training in the Livestock Entrepreneurship Development Project (LEDP). It is after completing that training, this enterprise was started and 19 members are part of this enterprise. The products are now available in Aryad Panchayath limits only. The requirement for the products could be informed at the CDS office. Kudumbashree directly buy these products from the NHG members who produce milk and egg and take to the needy in 'Kudumbashree' brand without the intervention of middlemen. The milk is delivered in glass bottles and the eggs are delivered in trays.

Shri. Prasanth Babu, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission, distributed the CEF (Community Enterprises Fund) to the entrepreneurs. Smt. P.P Sangeetha, Smt. Swapna Shabu, Shri. Biju Mon, Presidents, Grama Panchayaths, Shri. R Riyaz, Member, District Panchayath, Smt. P A Jumailath, Vice President, Mannancherry Panchayath, Shri. M. S Santosh, Shri K. P Ullas, Smt. Udayamma, Standing Committee Chairpersons, Smt. Thilakamma Vasudevan, Member, Block Panchayath, Smt. Ambili Das, Smt. Shanuja Biju, Smt. Smitha Baiju, Smt. G Latha, CDS Chairpersons, Smt. Suramya, Block Coordinator and Smt. Jalajakumari, President, Eksath Training Agency also spoke at the function. Shri. P Shibu, Member Secretary welcomed the gathering and Shri. Xavier, Assistant District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Alappuzha District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission has launched branded chips and pickles in 'Kannur' Brand. Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise, Government of Kerala launched the 'Kannur' brand chips and pickles at the First Anniversary Celebrations of the State Government at Kannur on 13 April 2022. Shri. E. K Padmanabhan, District Information Officer, Kannur received the products from the Minister.

The Kudumbashree team from Kannur has launched six various pickles made of elephant foot yam, tender mango, garlic, lime and bird's eye chilli and four different types of snacks made of banana, tapioca etc, including jaggery coated banana chips, in the brand name 'Kannur'.

On the occasion of the first anniversary celebrations of the state Government these Agri value added products were launched in the market, through 'Kannur' brand. These branded products are prepared by 125 Neighborhood Group (NHG) members of 35 units from the Agri Products Processing sector. The Minister also launched the 'palada' of Oorjashree Nutrimix unit and the Tristar LED bulb of a youth enterprise group from Aralam at the function.

Shri. Raveendrakumar, Industries Sub Director, Kannur and Dr.M. Surjith, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission also spoke at the function.

Vishu Markets of Kudumbashree are started across the state. The Vishu Markets will be started in all the 1069 CDSs and will function till 15 April 2022. The Vishnu Markets aim at making available organic vegetables at affordable rates to the public. It also aims at helping the Kudumbashree farmers and entrepreneurs to market their products and thereby help them to increase their income after the crisis of covid-19 pandemic.

It is envisaged to sell the organic vegetables produced by the 74,776 Kudumbashree women farming groups (Joint Liability Groups-JLGs) and the products of Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs through these Vishu Markets. Organic cucumber, bitter gourd, spinach, aubergine, lady's finger, green chilly, pumpkin, peas, birds's eye chilli, drumstick, etc and various snacks, flours, curry powders, chutney powders etc will be available for sale at Kudumbashree Vishu Markets. In addition to that, different food items locally prepared by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs will also be sale at the Vishu Markets.

The Vishu Markets are arranged associating with the Local Self Government Institutions. The Organizing Committee formed at each CDSs are entrusted with bringing maximum products to the Vishu Market. This committee would also ensure the security of the market and will also ensure that the basic amenities are arranged. Arrangements are also made to analyze the participation and quantity of the products brought to the market. The Vishu markets will be organized ensuring covid protocol and green protocol.

Organized by Kudumbashree Mission, Saras Mela 2022, the national food and cultural expo, held at Kanakakunnu, Thiruvananthapuram from 30 March 2022 onwards, offering the best of traditional food and artistry has been concluded carving out yet another era in the history by drawing massive crowds. Shri. Sivankutty, Minister for General Education and Labour, Government of Kerala inaugurated the valedictory function on 10 April 2022.

The products of the rural entrepreneurs of India were arranged under one roof through 250 sales stalls. Food Court with 25 stalls where the cuisines from 15 states were available was also set up at Saras Mela 2022. In addition to that Cultural Programmes were arranged everyday. Various products such as jewelry, fabrics, leather products, handicrafts from Sikkim, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Goa etc were brought for sale.

The Awards for the Best Entrepreneurs and the Media Awards for giving good news coverage for Saras Mela 2022 was also given away at the function. Adv. V. K Prasanth, MLA, Vattiyoorkavu Constituency presided over the function. Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Adv. D. Suresh Kumar, President, District Panchayath, Adv. D.K Murali, MLA, Vamanapuram Constituency, Adv. G Stephen, MLA, Aruvikkara Constituency and Dr. Khadija Mumtaz, Renowned Writer also attended the programme. Dr. K.R Shaiju, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission extended the vote of thanks.

Saras 2022 Media Award Winners:

1. Print Media

Best Reporting- Arya U.R (The New Indian Express)

Special Jury Mention- Aswathi Jayasree (Deshabhimani)

2. Visual Media

Best Reporting- S. S Saran (News 18)

Special Jury Mentions- M.K Vinod (Amrita TV), Gopal Sheela Sanal (Media One)

3. Photography

First Prize- Sumesh Kodiyath (Deshabhimani)

Second Prize- Vincent Pulikkal (The New Indian Express)

Third Prize- T.K Deepa Prasad (The Times of India)

Awards for the Entrepreneurs

1. Best Entrepreneur- Jyothi Lathikaraj (Jack World)

2. Best Young Entrepreneur- Sheeja (Ila Sanitary Pad)

3. Value Award (Best Presentation and News Worthiness)- Saikat Chithrakar (Bengal)

The Awards of 'Sargam 2022', the Story Writing Competition organized for Kudumbashree members have been distributed. Dr. Khadija Mumtaz, Renowned Writer and Former Vice President, Kerala Sahitya Academy had presented the awards to the winners at the function held in connection with the conclusion of Saras Mela 2022 at Nishagandhi Auditorium, Kanakakunnu on 10 April 2022.

Smt. Nitha P, (Story-Thfu), the first prize winner, hailing from Palakkad district, received the cash award of Rs. 15,000, memento and certificate. Smt. Dhanya N Nair (Story-Theendari), the second prize winner, hailing from Kottayam district received the cash award of Rs. 10,000, memento and certificate. Whereas, Smt. Latha (Story-Nirathu Vakkile Marangal), the third prize winner, hailing from Malappuram district received Rs. 5,000, memento and certificate.

Consolation Prizes were distributed to Smt. Baby Girija (Palakkad), Smt. Oormila A (Thiruvananthapuram), Smt. Vijayalakshmi M.K (Kannur), Smt. Sreedevi K Lal (Ernakulam), and Smt. Jisha M (Kannur). Cash Prize of Rs. 1,000, mementos and certificates were given to the consolation prize winners. Smt. Irfana P.K (Kannur), Smt. Rashida Zubair M.T (Malappuram) and Smt. Anuja Baiju (Kottayam) have also bagged the consolation prizes.

Capacity Building Training for the new CDS Governing Committee who took charge has been started. The training aims at equipping them to lead Kudumbashree at its best for the next three years, take the Kudumbashree organization system to the next level, make more effective interventions in the bottom level through Kudumbashree etc. The training also aims at giving a clear awareness about Kudumbashree and create a sense of direction to work with collective responsibility from the start of the tenure of the Governing Committee.

The training to the members of the Governing Committee is being given through the 320 Master Trainers selected from among the training group members and officials from each district. 19,470 Governing Committee members will be given training in 359 batches. The activity based training is given in 8 topics such as 'Kudumbashree and Society based Organization', 'Community Leadership Public Speaking', 'Vision Building' etc.

Kudumbashree members from Kannur are serving different cuisines at the First Anniversary Celebrations of the State Government. The First Anniversary Celebrations of the State Government was started at the Police Ground, Kannur on 3 April 2022. Kudumbashree members have caught the attention of the public by serving mouth watering cuisines at the food court of the Exhibition-Sales Stall which is set up at the Police Ground in 80,000 sqft area. The food court is set up in 8000 sqft area. 

Vana Sundari from Attappady, Chicken Stick from Kasaragod, variety juices from Kannur etc are available at this food court. In addition, Kudumbashree's  presence is ensured in 10 exhibition-sales stalls. Products of more than 80 entrepreneurs from the district are for sale at these stalls. 'Kanal Thandiya Vazhikal', a video produced on the achievements of Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission from 2017 to 2022, of 36 minutes duration is also screened at the programme. The Programme will come to an end on 14 April 2022.

Organised by Kudumbashree Mission Saras Mela 2022, the national food and cultural expo, offering the best of traditional, ethnic food and artistry, kick started on 30 March 2022 is progressing well at Kanakakunnu, Thiruvananthapuram. The Mela was started when Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of  Kerala, inaugurated the programme on 30 March 2022. Thiruvananthapuram has wholeheartedly welcomed the programme and thousands of people are visiting the Saras Mela 2022 everyday. 

The programme strictly follow the green protocol. Daily cultural programmes like Gazal, Folk Songs, Music Programmes, Rajasthani Folk Dance etc were held until now. Bengali Folk Dance, Parayan Thullal,Odissi Classical Dance, Lyrical Narrative (Kadhaprasangam), Kuchipudi,  Mohiniyattom, Thiruvathira, Bharatanatyam, seminars, and dance programmes of BUDS children are also arranged in connection with Saras Mela 2022. 

The handicrafts that showcase the heritage and culture of each state, art forms, jewelry, fabrics, utensils etc are for sale at the Saras Mela 2022. Adding more colour to Kerala's festive days, Saras Mela is an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Entry to the Saras Mela is absolutely free. Saras Fair would not only be a platform for the micro entrepreneurs to find a market for their rural products, but also, this national festival would act as a platform which arranges the get together of the diverse yet secular culture of our country. 

The Saras Mela which is being conducted in the state by Kudumbashree Mission in cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State government is a 11 long days stretched exhibition cum sale programme. The objective of the fair is to ensure a market for rural entrepreneurs and to provide an opportunity to sell their products without any interference of any second person. Through this fair the rural artisans, craftsmen, and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups (SHG) across India would be able to exhibit and sell their products directly with customers, thereby earning additional income as well as a significant exposure.  Saras Mela of Thiruvananthapuram would be an incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural, artistic, traditional, and rich heritage values of different states across the country. Undoubtedly, Saras Mela  would add more colour to the festive days of Kerala. The mela would come to an end on 10 April 2022.