Kairali Chindakki team become the champions in the fourth season of Attappadi Tribal Football League organized as part of Kudumbashree Attappadi Tribal Comprehensive Development Project. They defeated Laya Yuvashree Veerannur team by a one-sided goal in the final match held on 9 May 2025 in the league organized over three days. More than 500 youths played the ball in the league organized with the message of 'Football is the addiction - Say No to Drugs'.

The league was organized under the auspices of the Youth Resource Centre as part of Kudumbashree Attappadi Tribal Comprehensive Development Project. 47 youth clubs/Yuvashree teams took part. The matches were held at the Agali Panchayat Ground. Astro Padavayal defeated Green Valley Mukkali in a penalty shootout and came third. Sanjith Veerannur was pronounced the player of the tournament and Manu Chindakki was pronounced the best goalkeeper. Vaishnav Chindakki was adjudged the emerging player and Dumman Veerannur was adjudged the best goal scorer, and Harish Chindakki was pronounced the best defender.

The final match was inaugurated and the prizes were distributed by Maruthi Murugan, a member of the Kudumbashree Governing Body and President, Attappadi Block. B.S. Manoj, Assistant Project Officer, Kudumbashree Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project, Jomon K.J, Project Co-ordinator, Rajesh, Suresh, Ganesh, Chandran, Youth Co-ordinators, Panchayat Samiti Office Bearers, Animators and others attended the function.

Kudumbashree and Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Central Tuber Crops Research Centre (ICAR-CTCRI) have signed a MoU for providing 12 state-of-the-art technologies in tuber cultivation. The MoU was signed by H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director for Kudumbashree and Dr. G. Baiju, Director for ICAR - CTCRI at a function organized yesterday (09-05-2025) at the Central Potato Research Centre, Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram.

This is the first MoU for the transfer of technologies as part of K-TAP (Kudumbashree Technology Advancement Programme), which is designed to guide lakhs of NHG members who earn their livelihood from agriculture as part of Kudumbashree, to modern science and technology-based farming methods and sustainable income generation. According to this, Kudumbashree will receive 12 technologies focused on value addition and food processing from tuber crops. The technologies will be provided for preparing various dishes such as cookies, kulfi, muffins, snacks, pasta, jelly, etc. using tapioca and sweet potatoes.

In the coming weeks, Kudumbashree aims to acquire technologies from seven other leading agricultural technology research institutes in India, prepare a knowledge base of a total of 180 technologies, and launch products using these technologies by Onam, said H. Dineshan, IAS, in his keynote address. Activities to provide training focused on these technologies to selected NHG members will also begin soon. The objective of the K-TAP project is to provide better employment opportunities to women by making progress in all aspects of agriculture, starting from production, value-added product manufacturing, processing and marketing, through the use of innovative technologies in agriculture and allied sectors. Currently, 4,32,667 women in 94,594 farmer groups under Kudumbashree are engaged in various types of agriculture on more than 20,000 hectares across the state. There are also producer groups, agricultural enterprises and farmer producer companies. K-TAP technology will be used to strengthen the livelihood activities of these women farmers. The use of these technologies for processing of agricultural products, value addition of small grains, organic production methods, smart farming, eco-friendly packaging, branding, and licensing will lead to expansion and increase in income of existing enterprises.

The MoU signing ceremony was presided over by Dr. G. Baiju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI. In his presidential address, he said that all the programmes in collaboration with Kudumbashree will be effectively reached to the grassroots and completed successfully. Dr. S. Shanavas, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree explained the project. Ramesh. G, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission, Dr. M.S. Sajeev (Principal Scientist, ICAR - CTCRI) spoke. Dr. P.S. Sivakumar (Principal Scientist, ICAR - CTCRI) welcomed the gathering and Dr. T. Krishnakumar (Scientist, ICAR - CTCRI) delivered the vote of thanks. Representatives of Kudumbashree State and District Missions and ICAR - CTCRI also attended the function.

The FNHW project implemented by Kudumbashree to ensure better access to nutrition, health, sanitation and drinking water for women and children is becoming notable in the state. The aim of the project is to create awareness among the 48 lakh members under Kudumbashree. As part of this, more than 42 lakh NHG members were visited and awareness was created among pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls and the elderly about menstrual hygiene and the importance of nutrition for women.

The project was launched in Attappady in 2015. Later it was expanded to all districts. Activities are being carried out in Kudumbashree CDSs and ADSs, focusing on NHG members and children. Already 791 food fairs, 27 medical camps, 1,112 nutrition fairs and micro green farming have been organized as part of providing nutrition awareness. As part of giving special emphasis to the implementation of the project in the Scheduled Tribes area, an 'Osra' Awareness Campaign was also organized. The 'Shraddha' Cancer Awareness Campaign organized in Ambalappuzha and Aryad blocks of Alappuzha district attracted a lot of attention through the initial check-up and awareness camp for 2,243 Kudumbashree members.

Kudumbashree also ensures the co-operation of various departments and international organizations to make the project activities more efficient. As part of this, the 'Poshan Maa' Campaign was organized in 387 CDSs in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development, and training was organized for 1,732 Resource Persons selected as part of the FNHW project in collaboration with the UN World Food Programme.
The Happy Keralam Project is also being implemented in 154 selected Model CDSs in the state to increase the happiness index of families.

1190 people get jobs through Kudumbashree Initiative for Business Solutions (KIBS)

1190 people got jobs in the state through Kudumbashree Initiative for Business Solutions (KIBS). The aim of the project is to ensure sustainable income generation by providing employment to skilled women in government, semi-government, public sector and private institutions in urban areas. Currently, out of the 1,190 people who got jobs, 1,060 are women. This includes 14 transgenders and 116 men.

KIBS is headquartered in Ernakulam under the leadership of the Kudumbashree State Mission. KIBS was formed under the Travancore Cochin Scientific Charitable Society Act. KIBS is a facility management centre that provides employees to institutions operating in various fields. 585 Kudumbashree women working in all 24 stations of the Kochi Rail Metro have also found prestigious jobs through KIBS. Their services are in the categories of housekeeping, ticketing, customer care service, help desk, customer facilitation service, gardening-vegetable garden construction, kitchen, canteen and parking. Transgender people in Kochi Metro have also been able to get jobs through KIBS.

After Kochi Rail Metro, thirty of the people who have been appointed for housekeeping and ticketing jobs in Kochi Water Metro are Kudumbashree women. They also got jobs through KIBS. Those who get jobs in various government, semi-government, public sector institutions and universities through KIBS are assured of government-approved wages and benefits like ESI, Provident Fund, and gratuity.

Kudumbashree Awards 2025 - State Level Awards were announced by M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala during the Press Meet held in Thiruvananthapuram on 7 May 2025. The Kudumbashree Award 2025 is constituted as part of intensifying Kudumbashree project activities and honoring excellent and notable achievements. The awards will be distributed on 17 May 2025 in connection with Kudumbashree Day. The award winners will receive a cash award, a certificate and a memento. 

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). Although awards have been given to outstanding CDSs before, this is the first time that Kudumbashree is recognizing excellence in such categories.

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. 

The awards for Best CDS (5 categories), Best BUDS Institution, Best Snehitha, Best GRC, Best District Mission, and the District that carried out Best Public Relations Activities have been decided based on the activities of the financial year 2023-24. The Awards for Best Neighborhood Group, Best Auxiliary Group, Best ADS, Best Ooru Samithi, Best Enterprise, Best Auxiliary Group Enterprise, and Best Entrepreneur have considered the activities of the financial years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.

The award selection process has been completed at three levels: block, district and state level. The award nominations from CDSs have been examined by the primary screening committee based on the criteria and nominations that have scored more than 50% marks have been considered at the block level. 

The State-Level Award selection was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the sub-committees comprising the State Mission Programme Officer/State Programme Manager and the Chairman, along with subject matter experts, scrutinized the documents based on the application criteria, analyzed the presentations on the activities, recorded the marks and submitted them to the State-Level Award Selection Committee.

In the second phase, the State-Level Award Selection Committee comprising the Local Self-Government Department Special Secretary Chairman, Kudumbashree Executive Director, Kudumbashree Executive Committee Member, and State Mission Program Officer analyzed the marks prepared and submitted by the sub-committees and determined the final winners.

H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Geetha Nazeer, Member, Kudumbashree Governing Body, Shyam Kumar K.U, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree also took part in the Press Meet.

None of the trainees at the Kudumbashree Thalir BUDS Rehabilitation Centre under the Veloor Grama Panchayat in Thrissur have slept the night before Thrissur Pooram Day. It was the day when all of them fulfilled their dream of being a part of the world-famous Thrissur Pooram, where thousands flock to their hometowns, at least once.

A 40-member group consisting of BRC trainees, parents and members of the Veloor Grama Panchayat Administrative Committee came to Thrissur to participate in the Pooram. Earlier, in a meeting with Arjun Pandian IAS, District Collector, the BRC trainees were given the opportunity to enjoy the Pooram smoothly as requested by the trainees.

From the time the trainees arrived in Pooram Nagari till their return, the Collector and his team were with the trainees and provided them with all the facilities they needed. V.S. Prince, President, District Panchayat also met the trainees. The trainees of BRC did not forget to thank the Collector for taking the initiative and joining them in making their dream come true despite the busy schedule.

Kollam district also become part of Kudumbashree's premium restaurant chain, which provides all kinds of modern facilities to the public. The official inauguration of Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant was performed by K.N. Balagopal, Minister of Finance, Government of Kerala at Vettamukku Junction in Panmana Grama Panchayat, Kollam on 6 May 2025. This is the eleventh premium restaurant launched by Kudumbashree. Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant is currently operating in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

The specialty of the Premium Restaurant opened in Kollam is the dishes that emphasize the local flavor of Kollam. Ashtamudi Prachi Curry, Kanambu Mappas, Kallummakaya Mappas, Ashtamudi Karimeen Pollichathu, Chippi Roast, Kanava 23, Shrimp Malhar, and Special Desinganadu Fish Sadya including four types of fish, prawns, and crab are available here. There are also vegetarian meals, fish curry meals, sadya, biryani, Arabian, and Chinese dishes. It has a capacity for 82 people to eat at a time. It also has a feeding room, good washrooms, and parking.

The cafe is operated by the Insight Activity Group of Panmana Panchayat. 38 people from NHG families in Chavara, Thevalakkara and Panmana grama panchayats are getting a livelihood opportunity through the restaurant.

Sujith Vijayan Pillai, MLA, Chavara constituency presided over the inaugural ceremony. Dr. P.K. Gopan, President, District Panchayat and T. Manoharan, Chairman, Matsyafed were the Chief Guests of the function. Santosh Thuppassery, President, Chavara Block Panchayat, Sreekala. P, President, Panmana Grama Panchayat, Adv. C.P. Sudheesh Kumar, S. Soman, Members,  Kollam District Panchayat, Seenath, Chavara Block Panchayat Member and Rajeev Kunjumani, Member, Panmana Grama Panchayat spoke at the function. Dr. Anchal Krishnakumar, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree, Ramya Sunith, Chairperson, Panmana CDS, Aneesa. A, Ratheesh. R, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators,  Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission, Vishnu Prasad, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission were also present at the function. Vimal Chandran. R, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree  Kollam District Mission welcomed the gathering and Unmesh. B, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

The Prakriti Millet Cafe, set up at stall number 6, is leading the way with its variety of flavors and quality at the India Food Court, set up as part of the Kudumbashree National Saras Mela on the Kozhikode beach. The main dishes at the stall are Finger Millet Banana Fritters (Muthari Pazhampori), Sorghum Pakora (Manicholam Pakoda), Pearl Millet Vada (Bajra Vada), Finger Millet Ada (Ragi Ilayada), Finger Millet Dumpling (Ragi Kozhukatta), which are prepared using small grains and pure coconut oil without adding any flour like maida. Juices prepared using small grains without adding any sweetener are also available at the stall.

The star among the juices is the 'Ojassy' Health Drink, which is prepared with about seven spices and various small grains. The Aparna NHG of the Kayanna Panchayat CDS in Kozhikode started the Natural Millet Cafe as a youth initiative in 2018. Having participated in many local fairs, this is the first time they are part of the National Saras Mela. The potential of small grains to boost immunity and fight lifestyle diseases is what motivated these entrepreneurs to start the Natural Millet Cafe.

As part of the PMAY (U) LIFE scheme being implemented in the state through Kudumbashree, the construction of 90,237 houses has been completed. The central government has approved the construction of 1,27,048 houses across the state. For this, Rs. 2124.68 crores have been sanctioned till date, including central and state share. Out of the approved houses, the construction of 90,237 houses have been completed so far.

The construction of the remaining 36,811 houses will also be completed soon. With this, the dream of owning a house for 1,27,048 homeless beneficiaries will become a reality. The project also paves the way for many homeless families to live with dignity in the society by providing them with secure and habitable houses. This achievement is due to Kudumbashree working as the nodal agency under the joint auspices of the central and state governments and municipalities.

With the aim of 'Housing for All', the project is being implemented in all 93 urban local bodies in the state in collaboration with LIFE Mission. The projects have been approved by including them in the Beneficiary Led Construction Component. Under the PMAY (Urban) LIFE scheme, homeless families with an annual income of less than Rs. three lakhs will get Rs. four lakh for the construction of houses through the project. Out of this, Rs. 2 lakhs is provided by the municipality and Rs. 50,000 is provided by the state government. Therefore a total of Rs. 2,50,000 is provided by the state government. Rs. 1.5 lakhs is the central share.

The Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme, a sub-component of the PMAY (Urban) LIFE Scheme, has also helped the beneficiaries to acquire their own homes. Under this, the beneficiaries will be provided with loans from the bank to construct or purchase their own houses. Till date, 32,651 families have been provided with such loans. Kudumbashree had also obtained permission to construct 11 housing complexes comprising 970 units for the landless and homeless in collaboration with LIFE Mission. Out of these, the construction of 530 units has been completed. The construction of the remaining units is progressing rapidly.

Leela of Pala Kochuparampil in Kottayam district is making her life beautiful by adorning herself with pearls even in her old age. For the past 25 years, Leela has been adorning her life with pearls. The jewelry made by 70-year-old Leela using pearls, marble, crystal, sandstone, tiger stone and natural stone has captivated the hearts of everyone who comes to the Kozhikode Kudumbashree National Saras Mela. She has prepared and sold bangles, necklaces, earrings, foot chains and chains. Jewelry ranging from Rs. 60 to Rs. 1500 can be purchased at her stall number 57.

The jewelry is made by going directly to Bengaluru and Hyderabad to collect essential materials. The jewelry that started out being woven in banana leaves has changed to nylon thread over time. Leela, a member of the Pala Daya NHG, still continues to have the same skill as a young girl in jewelry making. She also achieved a turnover of Rs. 2 lakhs at the National Saras Mela held in Chengannur during January 2025.

Leela's life changed when she became a member of the NHG in 2013. With this, she paid more attention to the jewelry making field and turned it into a good source of income. She became a regular presence in various marketing fairs organized by Kudumbashree. The full support of her husband Gopalan is also the inspiration for participating in the fairs. Gopalan is also helping Leela to make pearl jewelry. Their venture is also receiving support from Kudumbashree and the Industries Department.