M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Kudumbashree Day-27th Anniversary Celebrations of Kudumbashree during the function held at Tagore Theatre, Thiruvananthapuram on 17 May 2025. He inaugurated the 27th Kudumbashree Anniversary Celebrations, distributed the Kudumbashree Awards 2025 to the winners and announced the completion of K-LIFT Project. He also performed the distribution of Green Fellowship.

Through the K-LIFT Programme launched during February 2024, Kudumbashree was able to provide livelihood to 3,06,862 people in 176 different sectors within the last one year through wage employment as well as self employment. The K-LIFT Project was able to show the real potential of Kudumbashree. This will motivate Kudumbashree to make new challenges. Kudumbashree Kerala Chicken was able to make 8% of market share and Kudumbashree is capable of increasing it to 50% by next year. The Minister said. He also added that the social scenario of Kerala can be divided into two halves, before and after Kudumbashree. Before 27 years, Kudumbashree aimed at poverty eradication and now Kudumbashree has succeeded in that and has taken up new aims. The Minister added. He also said that the contributions of Kudumbashree will always be marked in the history of Kerala. Kudumbashree has turned many women who had the NHGs into entrepreneurs and people's representatives. Kudumbashree has led women from kitchens to the mainstream of society. Kudumbashree is the best model that Kerala has contributed to the world and it is one of the largest women’s networks in Asia. Also, the Haritha Karma Sena Members of Kudumbashree have become the 'Sanitation Army' of Kerala. Kudumbashree is creating livelihood in the care economy through the K4 Care Programme and by next year livelihood will be provided to 1 lakh people through Vijnana Keralam Project and K-Disc.

Adv. G. R. Anil, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Kerala  presided over the function. In his presidential address, he said that Kudumbashree was launched as the state poverty eradication mission of Kerala and now it has grown into the biggest network of women with its unity. Kudumbashree has become the most notable movement and has been able to improve the confidence of Kudumbashree women and helped them improve their gender status. He also added that Kudumbashree has become an inevitable part of Kerala and the project which was started as a project has now turned into a movement.

V. Sivankutty, Minister for General Education and Labour, Government of Kerala was the Chief Guest of the function. He said that Kudumbashree Kiosks will be opened in Schools for selling school stationery products for students and through this livelihood will be provided to 3 women per kiosk.

Video screening of the best models in the Kudumbashree State Level Awards was also held ahead of the inaugural programme. The programme was started with the visual display of Mudra Geetham by the Kudumbashree Rangashree Team from Wayanad. The inaugural session was followed by 'Veera Nadanam', the performance by Team Gramam Kala Sangham from Wayanad, a Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group Initiative. Video launch of Happy Keralam Programme was also launched at the function.

H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and  Ramesh G, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission proposed the vote of thanks. CDS Chairpersons, people's representatives and state-district officials were also part of the function.

Kudumbashree 2025 Awards
Kudumbashree Awards 2025 is constituted as part of intensifying Kudumbashree project activities and honoring excellent and notable achievements. Awards are given in a total of 17 categories viz., Best NHG, Best ADS, Best Ooru Samithi, Best Enterprise Group, Best Entrepreneur, Best BUDS Institution, Best Gender Resource Centre, Best Auxiliary Group, Best Auxiliary Enterprise, Best Snehitha Gender Help Desk, District that has carried out the Best Public Relations Activities, Best District Mission, as well as Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration-Microfinance Activities), Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best CDS (Tribal Activities), Best CDS (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC).

The details of State Level Award Winners are as follows:

1. Best NHG

First Place: Pournami NHG, Sulthan Bathery CDS, Wayanad
Second Place: Bhagyashree NHG, Sreekrishnapuram CDS, Palakkad
Third Place: Aswathy NHG, Thiruvaniyoor CDS, Ernakulam

2. Best ADS

First Place: Thichur ADS, Varavoor CDS, Thrissur
Second Place: Punnamparambu ADS, Sreekrishnapuram CDS, Palakkad
Third Place: Mattara ADS, Ulikkal CDS, Kannur

3. Best Auxiliary Group

First Place: Dhwani Auxiliary Group, Sulthan Bathery CDS, Wayanad
Second Place: Punarjani Auxiliary Group, Porkulam CDS, Thrissur
Third Place: Wings of Fire Auxiliary Group, Tiruvallur CDS, Kozhikode
Vaibhavam Auxiliary Group, Haripad CDS, Alappuzha

4. Best Ooru Samithi

First Place: Daivagund/Jellippara Oorusamithi, Agali Panchayath Samithi, Palakkad
Second Place: Sthreesakthi Oorusamithi, Thirunelly CDS, Wayanad

5. Best Enterprise Group

First Place: Sanjeevani Nutrimix, Thazhekad CDS, Malappuram
Second Place: Aishwarya Sree Amrutham Foods, Thirumittakode CDS, Palakkad
Third Place: Nanma Food Processing Unit, Pozhuthana CDS, Wayanad

6. Best Entrepreneur

First Place: Ms. Shareefa, Malappuram Municipality CDS 2, Malappuram
Second Place: Ms. Eliyamma Philip. Panathady CDS, Kasaragod
Third Place: Ms. Sandhya J, Pulimath CDS, Thiruvananthapuram

7.Best Auxiliary Group Enterprise

First Place: Team Gramam, Poothadi CDS, Wayanad
Second Place: One 18, Varavoor CDS, Thrissur
Third Place: AG's Aranyakam Home Stay & Cafe, Amarambalam CDS, Malappuram

8. Best CDS-Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration-Microfinance Activities

First Place: Cheruvathoor CDS, Kasaragod
Second Place: Aryanad CDS, Thiruvananthapuram
Third Place: Varavoor CDS, Thrissur

9. Best CDS-Social Development, Gender

First Place: Varavoor CDS, Thrissur
Second Place: Kinanoor Karinthalam CDS, Kasaragod
Third Place: Kavilumpara CDS, Kozhikode

10. Best CDS-Tribal Activities

First Place: Marayoor CDS, Idukki
Second Place: Thirunelly CDS, Wayanad

11. Best CDS- Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry

First Place: Varavoor CDS, Thrissur
Second Place: Bedadukka CDS, Kasaragod
Third Place: Valakom CDS, Ernakulam

12. Best CDS- Non Farm Livelihood (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC)

First Place: Mariyapuram CDS, Idukki
Second Place: Muttil CDS, Wayanad
Third Place: Sasthamcotta CDS, Kollam

13. Best BUDS Institution

First Place: Pazhassi Raja BUDS School, Mattannur CDS, Kannur
Second Place: BUDS Paradise Special School, Thirunelly Wayanad
Third Place: Spectrum Special School, Marancherry CDS, Malappuram

14. Best Gender Resource Centre

First Place: Vazhayoor GRC, Vazhayoor CDS, Malappuram
Second Place: Nanniyode GRC, Nanniyode CDS, Thiruvananthapuram
Third Place: Pallippuram GRC, Pallippuram CDS, Ernakulam

15. Best Snehitha

First Place: Malappuram
Second Place: Thrissur
Third Place: Thiruvananthapuram

16. Best District Mission

First Place: Kollam
Second Place: Thrissur
Third Place: Ernakulam & Wayanad

17. District that carried out Best Public Relation Activities

First Place: Kollam
Second Place: Thrissur
Third Place: Ernakulam

The State Level Award Selection Committee, chaired by the Special Secretary of the Local Self Government Department and convened by the Executive Director of Kudumbashree, selected the state level winners in various categories. The District Level Award Selection Committee, chaired by a member of the Kudumbashree Governing Body and the respective District Mission Co-ordinators as the Working Chairmen had selected the winners in the district level.

Kudumbashree has 760 Business Correspondent Sakhis (BC Sakhis) in the state to take banking services to the grassroots and bring banking services to the doorsteps of the common people. The services of BC Sakhis will be very helpful for those who are not digitally literate and those who are physically challenged and have to go to the bank for various purposes including receiving pension. The scheme is being implemented as per the guidelines of the National Rural Livelihood Mission, One BC Sakhi in One CDS. Currently, many members of poor families who are receiving social pension are benefiting from the services of BC Sakhis.
             
Many services such as investment schemes implemented by various banks in the state, including nationalized banks, personal small loans, insurance schemes, deposit and withdrawal of money will be available through BC Sakhis. In addition, services related to postal life insurance and postal recurring deposit schemes will be available. Financial transactions up to Rs. 10,000 can be made through them. BC Sakhis are members selected from Kudumbashree NHGs. They receive income on a commission basis for providing banking services. In addition, financial assistance is provided through Kudumbashree to those who perform well.This year, 400 more BC Sakhis will be appointed in CDSs. For this, eligible persons have been identified from among Kudumbashree members and a list has been provided to the banks. They are being appointed through agencies appointed on behalf of the banks.

The FNHW Project Model implemented in the state through Kudumbashree to ensure access to nutrition, health and hygiene for women and children is going to be implemented in Lakshadweep. The project will be implemented in Lakshadweep through the National Resource Organization, which implements the Kudumbashree model in other states. In this regard, H. Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree and Muhammed Salim, Programme Officer, Lakshadweep Rural Livelihood Mission exchanged an MoU.
   
The formation of NHGs was started in Lakshadweep in 2018, as part of the implementation of Kudumbashree activities. The FNHW project, a sub-component of the National Rural Livelihood Mission will enable more activities to be carried out in the areas of women empowerment and livelihood. Enterprises will be formed in various sectors, including the production of nutritious value-added products for women. The advantage of this project is that it will be able to provide women with income, nutrition and health at the same time. In addition, agricultural nutrition gardens will be set up to provide nutrition, including fruits and vegetables, to each family in the NHG.

The project also includes activities that focus on changing the attitude of women. As part of this, awareness programmes and medical camps related to nutrition, health and hygiene will be organized for NHG women, children, lactating mothers, elderly people and adolescent girls. For this, co-ordination with various departments such as Health, Women and Child Development, Excise and other local self-government institutions in Lakshadweep will be ensured. Kudumbashree Community Resource Persons and Island Level Federation representatives will jointly carry out field-level activities. Currently, as part of the FNHW project, awareness training has been provided in more than 42 lakh NHGs in the state on menstrual hygiene and the importance of nutrition for women.

Priya Paul, Programme Manager, Kudumbashree National Resource Organization, Minish Abraham, Manager, Finance and Administration, Simi Susan Moncy, Assistant Programme Manager, and Alby Wilson, Thematic Anchor attended the MoU handover ceremony.

The organizing committee and sub-committees of 'Arangu 2025', the State Arts Festival of Kudumbashree NHG & Auxiliary Group members proposed to be held in Athirampuzha, Kottayam have been formed. V. N. Vasavan, Minister for Co-operation, Ports, and Devaswoms, Government of Kerala inaugurated the organizing committee formation meeting and released the logo of 'Arangu 2025'.

V.N. Vasavan, Minister for Co-operation, Ports, and Devaswoms, Government of Kerala is the chairman of the organizing committee and H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree is the convener. 500 people are members of the committees. About 5000 women from 14 districts who have participated and won in the ADS, CDS, Taluk and district level cultural festivals will compete in the Arangu State Cultural Festival. Competitions are held in 33 categories. There are competitions in senior and junior categories and there are a total of 13 venues.

Hemalatha Premsagar, President, Kottayam District Panchayat presided over the meeting of the organizing committee held at the St. Mary's Forona Church campus in Athirampuzha. Shyam Kumar K.U, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree delivered the keynote address. Prof. Rosamma Soni, Bindu K.V, Lovely George, Arya Rajan, Ajayan K. Menon, Jose Ambalakulam, James Kurian, Public representatives, Nishad C.C., State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree extended their greetings. Abhilash. K. Divakar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission welcomed the gathering and Prakash B. Nair, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission proposed the vote of thanks.

Shyam Kumar K.U. was elected as the General Convener of the organizing committee, Abhilash K. Divakar as the Working Convener, and Hemalatha Prem Sagar, Arya Rajan, and Jose Ambalakulam were also elected as members of the organizing committee. Sub-committees were formed with the chairmen of various local self-government institutions in Ettumanoor block as chairmen and the Kudumbashree District Programme Managers as conveners.

Kudumbashree entrepreneurs to become active in the field of value-added product manufacturing using modern technology. Five technologies developed by CSIR-NIST, Pappanamcode and successfully implemented in the food industry will be used for this. Various value-added products from jackfruit, instant millet products such as upma mix, soup mix, and porridge mix, and value-added products such as raw banana grits, fruit roll-ups, and palm nira syrup will be prepared with the help of new technologies.

H.Dineshan, Executive Director, Kudumbashree and Dr. Anantha Ramakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding in this regard at the Golden Jubilee Conclave organized at CSIR-NIST, Pappanamcode on the occasion of National Technology Day on the theme 'IP Monetization and Technology Transfer'. The Memorandum of Understanding was handed over in the presence of Padma Bhushan Dr. V.K. Saraswat,  NITI Aayog member and the inaugural guest.

The technologies are being purchased as part of the Technology Advancement Programme (K-TAP) implemented by Kudumbashree with the aim of modernizing the agricultural sector and ensuring sustainable income for women farmers. Currently, a centralized technology repository has been prepared in collaboration with renowned agricultural technology research institutions in India in connection with the project. Kudumbashree aims to utilize more than 180 technologies. As a first step, an agreement was signed on the 9th of this month in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute for the purchase of twelve technologies.

Kudumbashree will implement activities that strengthen the livelihood activities of farmers by adopting innovative technologies. Currently, about 4.3 lakh women in 94,544 farmer groups under Kudumbashree will benefit from this. In addition, progress will be made in agricultural production, value-added product manufacturing, processing and marketing. Quality products that can be exported will also be produced. The project will ensure the necessary certifications and food safety standards for marketing Kudumbashree agricultural products in national and international markets.

The Golden Jubilee Conclave organized on the theme of 'IP Monetization and Technology Transfer' on the occasion of National Technology Day was inaugurated by Padma Bhushan Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog. Dr. C Ananthakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIST presided over the function. Dr. P Nishi, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIIST welcomed the gathering. R.S Praveen Raj, Senior Principal Scientist  proposed the vote of thanks.

Dr. Shanavas A, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Dr. Anchal Krishnakumar, Public Relations Officer,  Dr. Nisha, Senior Principal Scientist, Dr. K.V Radhakrishnan, Head of Agro Processing Department  and others attended the MoU handover ceremony.

The 12th National Saras Mela, which brought together the culture, taste and uniqueness of rural entrepreneurs from across the country, concluded in Kozhikode. The sea of people who flocked to the fair every day for 12 days was a direct testimony to the success of the Saras Mela. The award for the best stall in the produce marketing fair was won by Hasbi Spices (Indra Neelam NHG) from Kozhikode district, and in the other state category, Hamsa Dry Flowers Unit (Dhanalakshmi SHG) from Goa. The Snehitha Unit from Kozhikode district and the food stall of Sanjok Self-Help Group from Sikkim were selected as the best food stall in the food court.  K. K. Lathika, Kudumbashree Governing Body Executive Member distributed certificates and mementos to the winners. In the indigenous category, Ruchipooram and Kulimey stalls from Attappady were specially honored, while in the transgender category, 'Lakshya' Juice Stall from Ernakulam and Oruma Juice Stall from Palakkad were specially honored.

The Saras Mela, which was set up on a 64,000 square feet area on the Kozhikode beach, was packed with people at the product marketing stalls and food court throughout the 12 days. The National Saras Mela was organized under the auspices of Kudumbashree along with the 'Ente Keralam' Exhibition and Marketing Fair organized in connection with the fourth anniversary of the government. The 12th National Saras Mela officially began on 3 May 2025 when Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala inaugurated both the programmes.

The fully air-conditioned pavilion featured 250 product stalls selling handicrafts, textiles and food products prepared by rural entrepreneurs from various states of the country, and an India Food Court with 50 stalls, a gathering of unique delicacies from 17 states including Kerala, was set up for visitors. 60 product stalls from other states were also set up as part of the Saras Mela.

The Kudumbashree National Saras Mela provided an opportunity for those who could not travel outside Kerala to get to know and enjoy the unique products and food resources of other states.  K. M. Sachindev, Ahmed Devarkovil, MLAs and Women's Commission Chairperson Adv. P. Satidevi also visited the fair on the closing day.

The Prathyasha project implemented in the state through Kudumbashree for those belonging to the marginalized community who deserve special consideration has helped 2,167 people. Of these, 56 people belong to the transgender community. Apart from these, the project is being implemented as part of helping the differently abled, the elderly and those who have been subjected to domestic violence achieve self-sufficiency. As part of this, Kudumbashree has supported a total of 2,037 micro-enterprises in the sectors of tailoring, food processing, cloth bags, paper pen manufacturing and catering. 19 micro enterprises have also been started in the state by transgender people.

Prathyasha is a scheme launched by Kudumbashree to help the poor who face many challenges in life find ways to earn a living. Through the scheme, beneficiaries are provided with financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 to start individual self-employment enterprises and up to a maximum of Rs. 2,50,000 for group enterprises as Startup Fund. Kudumbashree provides job skills training, financial assistance including subsidies, and ongoing support to start and grow businesses.

40,187 micro-enterprises have been formed through the SVEP (Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme) project implemented in the state through Kudumbashree to develop women entrepreneurship in rural areas. The aim of the project is to provide a better livelihood for NHG members. Currently, about fifty thousand women have access to a better livelihood.

The project is being implemented in 33 of the 43 blocks in the state that have been approved for the project. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the National Rural Livelihood Mission. The scheme also provided loan assistance of Rs. 117.93 crores to 28,705 enterprises under the Community Enterprise Fund. The scheme is also helping in local economic development along with ensuring better income generation for NHG women. In 2017, SVEP, the centrally sponsored micro enterprise development scheme was launched in two blocks, in Vadavukode of Ernakulam district and Parakkode of Pathanamthitta district. Subsequently, Kudumbashree obtained central approval to run the scheme in more blocks based on its performance.

The scheme promotes the formation of small enterprises for NHG women and the production of quality and value-added products. Kudumbashree also provides support for product marketing. As part of the SVEP, a BNSEP (Block Nodal Society for Enterprise Promotion) is functioning in each block, consisting of the CDS Chairpersons and Micro Enterprise Sub-Committee Conveners under the respective block. The BNSEP evaluates the applications received as part of the project and provides guidance and other support to Kudumbashree members and non-members entering the entrepreneurial sector.

The entrepreneurs will be provided with the necessary support for project report preparation, job skill training, bank loans, product marketing, branding, and financial support available through the schemes of Kudumbashree and various departments through Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Consultants in BNSEP. Block Resource Centre (BRC) offices have also been formed and started functioning in each SVEP block for this purpose.

Kottayam district is gearing up to host the Arangu 2025 State Arts Festival, a festival of Kudumbashree NHGs & Auxiliary Group members. The Arangu 2025 State Arts Festival will be organized in 13 venues in Athirampuzha, Kottayam district from 26 to 28 May 2025.

Ahead of the Arangu 2025, H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree held a consultation meeting and visited the Arangu venues. Shyam Kumar, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Nishad, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Vidya, State Assistant Programme Manager, Abhilash K. Diwakar, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission, Prakash B. Nair, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kottayam District Mission, District Programme Managers, CDS Chairpersons and Block Co-ordinators attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the campaign activities are progressing well in Kottayam district. Mural writing activities have started with the participation of CDSs. The State Arts Festival will have competitions in 33 categories each in the junior and senior categories. Around 5,000 NHG & Auxiliary Group members who have participated and won in district-level art festivals will be part of the Arangu State Arts Festival.

Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Resource Centres (MERCs) have become active at the block level by providing employment to NHG women. The MERCs aim to provide support including financial assistance and technical training along with increasing employment and income opportunities. Currently, MERCs are operating in 29 blocks across thirteen districts. They provide support to both existing and new enterprises. MERCs are Kudumbashree’s local employment centres that coordinate livelihood activities for NHG members at the block level. The MERCs aim to expand Kudumbashree micro-enterprises and develop local economies.

They provide assistance to NHG members to obtain wage-based employment, encourage innovative ideas for startups, and provide support for product marketing. They also provide employment to NHG members by organizing job fairs. The formation of a consortium of enterprises at the regional level is also a notable achievement. The project is also very helpful for Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group members.There are systems such as call centres and help desks to improve the functioning of MERCs. MERCs work as a connecting factor between the District Missions and CDSs. Non-Kudumbashree members can also get guidance for starting enterprises through MERCs. Funds have been allocated from the National Rural Livelihood Mission project allocation to each district for the establishment of MERCs and related activities.

This amount will be utilized for office renovation, preparation of detailed project report, working capital, infrastructure development, machinery and other equipment. The Micro Enterprise Consultants under Kudumbashree CDSs are responsible for the management of MERC.