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Payyanur Municipality becomes Waste Free with the help of 66 Haritha Karma Sena members Updated On 2025-03-29

Although Payyanur Municipality is the largest municipality in Kannur district, it was lagging behind in waste management until a few years ago. Today, 66 members of Haritha Karma Sena are changing all that and proudly holding their heads high, making the municipality waste-free. The urban residents are also thanking the Haritha Karma Sena members for helping their city achieve such an achievement. In addition to waste management, the Haritha Karma Sena members are also running successful projects under the supervision of Kudumbashree CDS and the municipality, from 12 NHGs.

The organic fertilizer manufacturing unit made from dry leaves is the highest-earning project among these. They also operate an inoculum manufacturing unit, a unit that rents utensils and glasses for weddings, a goods auto of Haritha Karma Sena, and a RRR (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse) unit that collects unwanted clothes, electronic devices, shoes, and bags collected from homes, repairs them, and delivers them to the needy free of charge. The cleaning unit, which uses state-of-the-art machinery, is one of the most profitable enterprises under Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission today.

Online Marketing Training organized for Kudumbashree Entrepreneurs Updated On 2025-03-27

As part of supporting Kudumbashree entrepreneurs to strengthen online marketing, a special training programme was organized with the support of NABARD. 149 Kudumbashree entrepreneurs participated in the two-day training program given to six batches over four days in Ernakulam.
The training was organized to help entrepreneurs list and sell products on leading e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart, and promote them through social media. The training programme aimed to market about a thousand products produced by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs on e-commerce platforms.


The training provided by the 'Is Going Online' agency included classes and practical training on various topics such as the use of e-commerce platforms, online marketing methods, and digital payments. The agency will also provide six months of post-training support to all units that receive the training. Earlier, the International Labor Association (ILO), the International Training Centre, and Microsoft jointly provided Women in Digital Business training to NHGs. In addition, Kudumbashree is also making efforts to form District-Level Master Training Groups to effectively use online marketing channels and  to provide training to entrepreneurs at the grassroots level through them.

‘Liora Fest’ Summer Camp for Kudumbashree Balasabha Members Updated On 2025-03-26

‘Liora Fest’ District-Level Summer Camps are being organized for Kudumbashree Balasabha members. The camp will be organized during May 2025. The ‘Liora Fest’ Summer Camp is a continuation of the ‘Mind Blowers’ Campaign that was started last year with the aim of imparting knowledge and creativity along with innovative lessons of entrepreneurship to the children who are members of Kudumbashree Balasabha.

The word ‘Liora’ comes from Hebrew language and the meaning of the word is light. Addiction is widespread among children. In such a scenario, the camp aims to enable children to realize that true addiction is the happiness that brings knowledge and natural instincts, discovering the aptitudes of each child in different fields. The aim is to provide mental and intellectual awakening to children by developing leadership skills, communication skills and creativity. Kudumbashree will provide State-Level training to the children who demonstrate excellence in the camp and provide them with the opportunity to present their ideas at the ‘International Innovation Conclave’ to be organized in 2026.

As part of selecting children for the summer camp, a ward-level children's gathering will be organized in all wards in the state on 8 April 2025, the day of the Kudumbashree Balasabha Election, with the participation of Balasabha members. A one-day workshop will be organized at the Panchayat-Municipal level with the best performing children, followed by a Block-Level Innovation Fest. The children selected from this will get the opportunity to participate in a Three-Day District-Level Summer Camp. 50 from each district will participate in the summer camp.

The summer camp will introduce about eight different topics to the children, including theater workshop, science magic, children and financial management, cybercrime; anti-drug activities, and leadership. Then the children will make presentations related to these. The 140 children who present the best will have the opportunity to participate in the 2026 'International Innovation Conclave'.

The Summer camp will introduce about eight different topics to the children, including theater workshop, science magic, children and financial management, cybercrime; anti-drug activities, and leadership. Then the children will make presentations related to these. The 140 children who present the best will have the opportunity to participate in the 'International Innovation Conclave 2026'

Health Security of Haritha Karma Sena members: Insurance coverage for 26,223 people through ‘Inspire’ Scheme Updated On 2025-03-26

26,223 people have joined the ‘Inspire’ Insurance Scheme, jointly implemented by Kudumbashree and United Insurance Company to provide medical benefits to Haritha Karma Sena members, this year. The insurance scheme is being implemented as part of providing health security to the members of Haritha Karma Sena.

People between the ages of 18 and 75 can join the insurance scheme through their respective CDSs. The annual premium is Rs. 1384. Fifty percent of this will be provided by Kudumbashree and fifty percent by the Haritha Karma Sena Consortium. According to this, each member will only have to pay Rs. 692 each. Those who become members of the insurance scheme will receive a total of Rs 2 lakhs as medical benefits. Up to Rs. 50,000 will also be provided for existing illnesses. The policy holder will receive Rs. 2 lakhs in addition to this. Until last year, the medical benefit received through the scheme was Rs. 1 lakh.

Currently, to take out an individual insurance policy that provides a medical benefit of Rs. 2 lakhs, an annual premium of Rs. 5,000 to 6,000 is required. However, through the Kudumbashree 'Inspire' Insurance Scheme, they will get a benefit of Rs. 2 lakhs at an annual premium of Rs. 692. Another advantage is that Haritha Karma Sena members can join the scheme and ensure insurance coverage up to the age of 75.

Haritha Karma Sena from Kasaragod opens Flower Shop to generate Additional Income Updated On 2025-03-26

The Haritha Karma Sena members in Thrikaripur in the same Kasaragod district of Kerala have come up with a way to generate additional income. A flower shop that sells flowers that are much needed in their area. They have named their enterprise as 'Haritha Flowers'. During the last Onam, the people of Thrikaripur did not go anywhere else in search of flowers. They came straight to 'Haritha Flowers' Flower Shop opened by the Haritha Karma Sena members. 'Haritha Flowers' was a relief to the people of Thrikaripur, who had been depending on Payyanur for flowers until then.

This initiative was launched in September 2024 in the Panchayat building at Thrikaripur Bus Stand by including in the Panchayat Project. Out of the 42 members of the Haritha Karma Sena, 10 of those members were given special training to run a flower shop. Now, all 42 members are running the flower shop with one heart.

The capital of the venture was Rs. 3 lakhs taken from the Panchayat scheme and Rs. 4 lakhs taken as a bank loan. At present, flowers are sold by purchasing them from nearby wholesalers. In the future, the entrepreneurs of Haritha Flowers aim to sell flowers directly from Bengaluru and Mysore. The Haritha Karma Sena members of Thrikaripur, who tried to earn additional income by utilizing their entrepreneurial skills without any hindrance to their work as Haritha Karma Sena members, are yet another excellent example of dedication and hard work.

First Harvest as part of Kudumbashree Punarjeevanam Project held at Attappady Updated On 2025-03-26

The first harvest as part of the Punarjeevanam Project, which was launched in Attappady, Palakkad to revive livelihood opportunities in the agricultural sector, was held in Attappady on 25 March 2025. The first phase of this entrepreneurship development series, which is being run by Kudumbashree across the state, was implemented by Kudumbashree in the indigenous area of Attappady last year in collaboration with the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR - CTCRI).

 

Training was started at Attappady in August and in November, 40 selected farmers were supplied with two tonnes of highly productive enriched orange and purple potatoes, about 2.5 lakh planting materials, organic fertilizers and organic pesticides required for extensive farming.

 

The harvest festival of these sweet potato varieties was organized at the farm of a farmer named Velli Vellinkiri in Kunnanchala Village of Agali panchayat in Attappady on 25 March 2025. Dr. G. Baiju, Director, Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR - CTCRI) inaugurated the harvest. The enriched sweet potato varieties were cultivated in a total of 20 acres in Agali, Sholayur and Puthur panchayats. As part of the harvest, the Ooru Mooppan of the Hamlet, Mannookkaran, Bhandari, Kuruthala and the farmers were also honored. This time, it has been decided to use the harvest obtained to address the malnutrition among women and children. In the next phase, it is also aimed to expand the sweet potato cultivation to 100 acres and produce value-added products from the additional yield.

 

Dr. S. Shanavas, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree State explained the project during the harvest inauguration ceremony. Saraswathi Muthu Kumar, Saleena Shanmugam, Shanthi, Anitha Babu, Panchayat Samiti Office Bearers and Smitha Binu, Chairperson, Sholayur Kudumbashree CDS delivered their felicitations. Dr. Rashmi C.P. and Dr. Saranya A.R. from Jain University gave classes on the topic of 'Nutritional Value and Entrepreneurial Potential of Sweet Potato'. Manoj B.S, Assistant Project Officer, Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project welcomed the gathering and Akhil Soman, Co-ordinator

Farm Livelihood proposed the vote of thanks. Around 250 people including farmers, Animators and Community Resource Persons participated in the programme.

 

Apart from sweet potato, yam cultivation is also being done in Attappady as part of the Punarjeevanam Programme. As the continuation of the Punarjeevanam Programme launched in January 2025, one ton of yam planting material, knapsack sprayers, various types of slicers, biological pest control products, and agricultural equipment were distributed to selected farmers.

Value Added Products from Waste; Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission launches New Training Programme with Record Updated On 2025-03-24

Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission has won the Asian Record of Talent Record by organizing a Mega Training Programme to prepare value-added products including decorative items from inorganic waste. 'Upcycling Art', the training programme of Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission was organized as part of the 'Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam Campaign at Fort Maidan, Palakkad on 22 March 2025. A total of 358 Kudumbashree members aged 18 to 65 years were part of the training programme. 

The training was conducted using various materials such as plastic bottles, LED bulbs, paper glass, cloth, straws, and glass bottles. The training program was led by 33 people under the leadership of K. Sandhya, Art & Craft Teacher. Those who have now been trained will also be given a second phase of training. After that, they will provide upcycling art training at the block and panchayat levels. The NHG members will also be able to earn income through the sale of the products produced in this way. Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission will provide all kinds of support for the sale.

Raw materials for making value-added products will be purchased from the waste collected by the Haritha Karma Sena members of the district. This also ensures income for the Haritha Karma Sena members.

The training programme was inaugurated by K. Binumol, President, Palakkad District Panchayat. P.K. Chamunni, Vice President, District Panchayat presided over the function. Prameela Sasidharan, Chairperson, Palakkad Municipality was the Special Guest of the function.  Priyanka. G IAS, District Collector, Palakkad was the Chief Guest of the function. A. Prem Kumar, President, Erumayoor Grama Panchayat, Saithalavi, District Co-ordinator, Nava Kerala Mission, Sulochana, Chairperson, Palakkad North Municipality CDS extended their greetings.  K.K Chandradas, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission welcomed the gathering and  Unnikrishnan, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree Haritha Karma Sena: Kerala Model of Cleanliness Updated On 2025-03-24

The Haritha Karma Sena members, who are working tirelessly to make our own Kerala waste-free, have collected 50190 tons of inorganic waste from our state and handed it over to the Clean Kerala Company in the last one year!. 35,214 women, members of 4438 Haritha Karma Sena units, have collected that much waste from the local body level and strengthened the effort to make our country a waste-free new Kerala. Haritha Karma Sena members received Rs. 341 crores as user fees for waste collection during this period. They also received Rs. 7.8 crores as remuneration for handing over the sorted waste to the Clean Kerala Company!

Haritha Karma Sena members, who were formed to find a solution to the waste problem in a decentralized manner, are also conducting various initiatives in this regard to increase their income. Haritha Karma Sena members are currently operating 223 cloth bag manufacturing units and 540 paper bag units that utilize the recycling potential of waste.

Kudumbashree's 'Kani' Cucumber Cultivation progressing focusing the Vishu Market Updated On 2025-03-24

The 'Kani' Cucumber cultivation by Kudumbashree's Joint Responsibility Groups (JLGs) targeting the Vishu market is progressing well in the state. 5913 JLGs under 566 Kudumbashree CDSs in the state have now cultivated Kani Cucumber in 719.51 acres. 29,119 Kudumbashree NHGs are engaged in cucumber cultivation in these farming groups. Kudumbashree aims to sell Kani Cucumber through markets including Kudumbashree's own Vishu markets.

Kudumbashree's Farm Livelihood Team has been making effective interventions in providing more income to NHG members engaged in agriculture by focusing on cultivating crops needed for a specific period. Flower cultivation during the Onam season and watermelon cultivation targeting the summer season are examples of this.

Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission organizes Training on Vegetable & Fruit Carving & Salad Preparation for NHG Members Updated On 2025-03-22

As part of the efforts to guide NHG members to a different and more viable field and to find a source of income, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission has started a training programme to provide expert training to 30 NHG members in vegetable and fruit carving and salad preparation. The training is being held at Jawahar Bala Bhavan, Thrissur from 19-24 March 2025.

 

Along with food dishes, vegetable and fruit carving is now also important in well-organized events and other events. The number of people who make salads a part of their diet to lead a healthy lifestyle is also increasing. There is also a lack of experts in this field. It is in such a situation that the District Mission has decided to provide expert training in this field to interested Kudumbashree members and thereby help them find a source of income. The district aims to provide employment to those who have received the training in collaboration with catering groups.

 

The official inauguration of the training programme was performed by Dr. Salil. U, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, Radhakrishnan. K, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, Prasad K.K, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, Shobhu Narayanan, District Programme Manager, Vineetha A.K, District Programme Manager, Adarsh P. Dayal, District Programme Manager, Block Co-ordinators participated in the training. The training programme is led by AIFRHM (Adebha Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management), Kudumbashree's training agency. The training programme will come to an end on 24 March 2025.