Beautiful puppets, lamps, decorative items made of leather. Chamundeshwari Leather Puppet Unit, the fifth stall from Andhra, is presenting a completely different visual experience to visitors at the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree at Kozhikode Beach.

All these products are made using layers made by spreading leather and drawing pictures on it with a bamboo tip, adding various colors. Another feature of the unit is the wall paintings made based on the stories and characters of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The prices of the products range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2000.

The unit is owned by Kollavumma from Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh. Her husband Baburao also helps out in all kinds of ways. This profession, which was traditionally handed down to Baburao, is now being done beautifully by her children. The uniqueness, antiquity and grandeur of this family profession, which has a tradition of more than a hundred years, are visible in their products. The Chamundeshwari Leather Puppet Unit is a new experience for keralites who are always looking for something new.

113 youth from the Scheduled Tribe region got jobs in the government and semi-government sectors with the support of Kudumbashree. These people got jobs as part of the competitive exam training organized with the aim of economic and social empowerment of the youth in this region.

Most of the appointments were made to the posts of LD Clerk, Police, Forest Beat Officer etc. All of them have joined the job. In addition, 364 people have been included in various rank lists. This achievement is from 2,893 people who received expert training through Kudumbashree. They have increased their financial stability and confidence to interact with everyone in the society by getting government jobs.

As part of bringing the youth of this region into the mainstream society, intensive PSC competitive exam training was provided under the leadership of Kudumbashree. For this, PSC had organized a one-time registration camp in the districts where they reside. In the first phase, those with a degree and plus two qualifications were included. Later, necessary training was also provided for posts such as Beat Forest Officer. For this, expert faculties in various fields are identified and training is provided through them.
             
Special centres are also functioning under the leadership of the District Mission for training. In addition, training is provided in collaboration with other training centres. The activities are carried out with the support of the respective Kudumbashree CDS.

The Kudumbashree Food Court, set up as part of the National Saras Mela, is creating a paradise of taste in the heart of Kozhikode. Kozhikode, which is famous for its beaches, its cuisine and its diversity of tastes, is hosting for the first time the different dishes from different states of India under one roof. Around 300 varieties from 18 states have reached Kozhikode beach.

The main attraction of the food court is the 50 or so stalls, which are arranged in a way that resembles the old tea shop and resemble a thatched roof. The pillars of each stall have a story to tell. The culture, sights and talents of Kozhikode are recorded on each pillar. The food court is set up in a way that about 600 people can sit and eat at a time. From Rajasthan's special Raj Kachori, Maharashtra's Vadapav, Sikkim's Momos, Attappadi Vanasundari to Odisha's Chicken Pakku Vada, Hyderabadi Dum Biryani are available at the food court.

The indigenous people are those who preserves what the time misses out. To get a closer look at their culture, which has been deeply rooted in the soil of the forest for centuries, just visit stall number four at the Kudumbashree National Saras Mela being held on Kozhikode beach. 'Nanga Angadi' is an exhibition and sale of products and food varieties of indigenous people from various districts of the state. The word 'Nanga Angadi' means our market.

Around 100 products produced by the local communities in the districts of Wayanad, Malappuram, Kasaragod, Kannur, Thrissur, Palakkad (Attappady), Idukki and Pathanamthitta through Kudumbashree will be available at Nanga Angadi. The main attraction of Nanga Angadi is around ten tubers selected from 'Noorang' in Wayanad, where around 180 heritage tuber varieties are cultivated.

Eight different types of rice including Gandhakshala, Thondi, Chomala and Rakthashali from Wayanad, luffa scrub, wild mango pickle, wild honey from the Chola Nayaka sect of Nilambur, Indian frankincense, Aadi Umbrellas from Kannur, coconut oil, handicrafts from Thrissur, mustard from Attappadi, small grains and brooms are available. In addition, there is an exhibition of 230 varieties of rice from Bathagude in Wayanad at Nanga Angadi.

H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree performed the inauguration of the Nanga Angadi on 3 May 2025. Kudumbashree aims to introduce the culture of the indigenous people, which is alien to the growing generations, to everyone, and to increase the income of the indigenous people through the Nanga Angadi.

Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala said that Kudumbashree has become the backbone of local entrepreneurial development and economy. The Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree at Kozhikode Beach and the 'Ente Keralam' Exhibition Mela, which is part of the fourth anniversary celebrations of the State Government, at Kozhikode Beach on 3 May 2025.

He pointed out that Kudumbashree is a popular movement with about half a crore women as members and that Rs. 270 crores has been allocated for Kudumbashree in this year's budget. P.A. Muhammed Riyas, Minister for Public Works and Tourism, Government of Kerala presided over the function. A.K. Saseendran, Minister for Forest and Wildlife Conservation, Government of Kerala was the Chief Guest of the function. He said that the Saras Mela is a glimpse of the achievements of the state achieved through Kudumbashree.

The Saras Mela, which is set up on 64,000 square feet on the Kozhikode beach, was packed with people at the product marketing stalls and food court. The fully air conditioned pavilion has about 250 marketing stalls selling various products from rural entrepreneurs in India and the food court has about 50 stalls selling unique food items from 17 states. Entry to the fair, which will last till 13 May 2025, is completely free.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Beena Philip, Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation, Thottathil Raveendran, MLA, Ahmed Devarkovil, MLA, E.K. Vijayan,  MLA, P.T.A Rahim, MLA, Kunjahammad Kutty Master, MLA, K.M. Sachindev, MLA, Linto Joseph, MLA, Sheeja Sasi, President,  District Panchayat, Kozhikode, Adv. P. Gavas, Vice President, District Panchayath, Kozhikode, C.P. Muzaffar Ahmed, Deputy Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation, 
H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Harshil R. Meena IAS, Sub Collector, T. Narayanan, District Police Commissioner, K.T. Shekhar, Deputy Director, I&PRD, K.K. Lathika, P.K. Zainaba, Executive Members, Kudumbashree Governing Body, C.P. Abdul Karim, District Information Officer, Public Representatives, Political Party Representatives and others participated. Snehil Kumar Singh IAS, District Collector, Kozhikode  welcomed the gathering and  P.C. Kavitha, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission proposed the vote of thanks.

Thousands of people participated in the proclamation procession that started from Mananchira ahead of the inauguration ceremony. The procession was led by Kudumbashree members.

Kudumbashree has distributed Rs. 53.13 crores as Revolving Fund to Kudumbashree NHGs and ADSs in urban areas. This achievement is through the National Urban Livelihood Mission project, which is jointly implemented by Kudumbashree and the Municipalities in the urban areas of the state. Rs. 36.35 crores were given to NHGs and Rs. 16.78 crores were given to ADSs under this scheme.

Each NHG will be provided with a Revolving Fund of Rs. 10,000. The 36,349 NHGs in the urban area have benefited from this. The amount will be used to improve NHG activities and revive inactive ones. 3,356 Kudumbashree ADSs have also received Revolving Funds. Rs. 16.78 crores has been distributed to ADSs. This is the amount distributed in both categories in the last nine years.

The project will provide support, including job skills development training, to bring the unorganized urban poor under the umbrella of Kudumbashree and enable them to achieve progress in their lives. Families with an annual income of Rs. 1 lakh or less in urban areas are selected as beneficiaries.

M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs performed the State Level Inauguration of the 'Communicore' English Language Training Project organized by Kudumbashree to improve the English language skills of children in the local area online. The minister said that this training project will be helpful in developing the indigenous population and ensuring opportunities for them.

Even though Kerala has made great progress in the field of education, one of the remaining challenges is the linguistic problem of indigenous students. The medium of instruction is Malayalam and English, and English learning and communication are causing them a lot of difficulties. This is what the Communicore project addresses.

The Communicore Project is being implemented in the first phase in areas where the Scheduled Tribes Project and the Scheduled Tribes Sustainable Development Project are being implemented in the state under the leadership of Kudumbashree. The activities are planned in such a way that each child participating in the training will be able to maximize their language skills.

Children between the ages of 12 and 18 selected from the Scheduled Tribe Special Schemes currently being implemented in Attappady, Parambikulam (Palakkad), Thirunelli, Noolpuzha (Wayanad), Aralam Farm (Kannur), Nilambur (Malappuram), Kodanchery (Kozhikode), Kuttampuzha (Ernakulam), Marayoor, Kanthalloor, Vattavada (Idukki), Koraga Special Scheme (Kasaragod), Kadar Special Scheme (Thrissur), and Malaipandaram Special Scheme (Pathanamthitta) are participating in the training programme.

The training is provided for a period of one year, including residential training during the vacations. The training will be held in various batches consisting of 30 to 50 children.

The 12th National Saras Mela organized under the auspices of Kudumbashree has begun at the Kozhikode Beach. The official inauguration of this year's second National Saras Mela and the 'Ente Keralam' exhibition and marketing fair organized at the same venue in connection with the 4th anniversary of the state government will be performed by Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala on 3 May 2025. This is the first time that the National Saras Mela is being hosted in Kozhikode. The Mela will continue till 13 May 2025. Entry to the fair is completely free.

The 64,000 square feet fully air-conditioned pavilion will feature 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 confluence of unique flavors from 17 states including Kerala, for visitors. There are 60 product stalls from other states. Kudumbashree has prepared an opportunity for those who cannot travel outside Kerala to get to know and enjoy the unique products and food resources of other states through the National Saras Mela.

Kudumbashree members and others will be part of the procession leading up to the inauguration of the fair. Folk art forms and floats may be included in the procession. Art and cultural programmes led by artistic talents like Sooraj Santhosh, Shahabaz Aman, Sithara Krishnakumar, Mridula Warrier, and Atul Narukara, seminars by various departments, yoga, gymnastics, and Kalarippayattu exhibitions will be staged on the main stage.

319 Kudumbashree CDSs in the state have been given Model CDS status. The Model CDSs were identified on the basis of various criteria such as good governance, financial sustainability, excellence in Kudumbashree project implementation, and activities in the livelihood sector. Currently, there are 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree. The aim is to elevate all CDSs to Model CDS status in the upcoming years.

There are Area Development Societies or ADSs at the ward level of local bodies in Kerala, by including NHGs. Community Development Societies or CDSs are a system formed by including ADSs in each panchayat and municipality. At present, their activities are carried out using government funds. The aim of forming model CDSs is to enable CDSs to achieve self-sufficiency, sustainability and development without the financial support of the central and state governments. For this, the amount received as interest from various loan schemes provided to NHGs through CDSs will be found as the capital required for their own development activities.

The general administration of the CDS and the efficiency in effectively delivering the things implemented through Kudumbashree to the grassroots are also important. Social inclusion is also of utmost importance. People from all sections should be brought under the Kudumbashree system. Activities to ensure social security by bringing people from special categories such as the destitute, the homeless, the marginalized and others under the umbrella of Kudumbashree should also be carried out through the CDS. Ensuring better livelihood and income generation for the members of the NHG is also of great importance. For this, various jobs that can be done according to local possibilities and through various income-generating projects implemented through Kudumbashree should be utilized for the women of the NHG.

As part of upgrading the existing CDSs to Model CDSs, training was provided to the members of the CDS Governing Body in three phases. The training was given to identify the areas that need development in their panchayat, determine their priorities and prepare a special document called a 'Vision Document'. Based on this, each CDS has prepared its Annual Action Plan and submitted it to the respective local bodies. A Separate Business Plan has also been prepared under the leadership of each CDS to understand the funds required and integration possibilities to achieve the development goals.

The harvest of 'Noorang', the centre for the conservation of more than 180 heritage tuber crops and diversity as part of  Thirunelly Tribal Comprehensive Development Project in Wayanad was held in a festive mode.  'Noorang', the heritage tuber conservation centre  has been set up in Irumpupalam village as part of the Thirunelly Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree in Wayanad.

About ten women, members of three Kudumbashree farming groups in the village, are cultivating here. This is the fourth year of cultivation by expanding the nutritious 'noora', 'nara', small tubers and other varieties of tubers of the indigenous people. The project aims to maintain the food culture of the indigenous people and to instill a healthy new generation through such knowledge.

The planting festival organized on 29 April 2025 was inaugurated by  P. V. Balakrishnan, President, Thirunelly Panchayat. Balasubramanian P.K., District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission presided over the function. Soumini. P, Chairperson, Thirunelly CDS, Vimala V. M, Member, Block Panchayat, Rukhiya Zainuddin, Chairman, Development Affairs Standing Committee, Ameen, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Pushpa, Prema, Sumathi, CDS Sub-committee members and Mohanan, Head of the Hamlet spoke at the function. Sai Krishnan, Co-ordinator, Thirunelly Special Project, Animators, Bridge Course Mentors, residents of the hamlet and others participated in the programme.