Orientation for the second batch of The Urban Learning Internship Programme (TULIP) as part of the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) implemented in the state through Kudumbashree was organized at the Kerala State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram on 30 January 2024. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the one-day training programme online.

The objective of the internship programme is to evaluate the progress and achievements made in the urban sector of the state through the NULM project and to find innovative ways to further improve the project activities. The interns were selected after screening and interviewing the qualified candidates from the applications received.

24 people of the first batch started working from 10 January 2024. 21 people started working in various municipalities and 3 people in the State Mission office. The duration of Internship in municipal bodies is two months and in State Mission is three months. Those in the second batch will start working in municipalities from 1 February 2024.

Those doing internship in Urban Local Bodies will prepare a report based on the three main topics given by Kudumbashree. It will be submitted to the Central Government.  The three topics include how the NULM Scheme implemented by Kudumbashree benefits the urban poor, business opportunities in manufacturing and service sectors and the evaluation of the urban poverty alleviation plan implemented with the urban local bodies for the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24 and preparation of the urban poverty alleviation plan for 2024-25.  

They will conduct necessary studies on these three subjects and collect statistics. Data collection will be done through discussions with municipal officials, public representatives, project implementation officers and project beneficiaries. The responsibility of the interns at the State Mission is to evaluate and collate the information provided by the interns at the municipal level and prepare a final report. The final report will be submitted with recommendations on areas for improvement, including project implementation and quality. The interns will be given Rs 8000 per month as stipend and a certificate issued by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Shri. Jahamgeer S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree gave leadership to the training programme. Shri. Sudheer K.B, Ms. Meghna S, Shri. Nishanth G.S, Ms. Beena. E and Shri. Prithviraj, State Mission Managers, Kudumbashree participated in the programme.

Kudumbashree has invited Success Stories from NHG members. NHG members get the opportunity to write their own success stories or the success stories of other NHG members through Kudumbashree. The write up should focus on the achievements they attained in life after becoming a part of the Kudumbashree community.

Articles received in this way will be published in the 'Today's Story' section in Kudumbashree's official website. Basic information like district, CDS, NHG should be included. Article and necessary photos can be sent to the mail id- prteamkshreeho1@gmail.com

The Fifth Batch Training of 'Reflecto 24', a two-day training programme for accountants has been started in Thiruvananthapuram on 29 January 2024. A total of 140 people including accountants from Kasaragod and Thrissur districts and half of the CDSs in Pathanamthitta district are participating in the training which will be held on 29-30 January 2024. Ms. K.S. Bindu, Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the training of the fifth batch.

The two-day training consists of sessions to improve CDS's finance management, file management, Kudumbashree organization system and accountant, approach, and microfinance activities. Shri. Nishad C. C, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Ms. Vidya Nair V.S, State Assistant Programme Manager delivered the vote of thanks. Shri. Mathew Chacko, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree and training team members also participated in the function. Training for the 4th batch was organized in Thiruvananthapuram on 25-26 January 2024. A total of 143 accountants from Kozhikode and Palakkad districts participated in the training.

Kudumbashree launched Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant to enjoy premium services and special dishes and unique local dishes prepared by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala performed the State Level Inauguration of the Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurants at Angamaly, Ernakulam on 27 January 2024. Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurants were also started at Guruvayoor of Thrissur district and Meppadi of Wayanad district.  

In his inaugural speech, the Minister said that these premium branded restaurants were started from the thought about making use of the trust and dexterity in cooking, the hallmark of Kudumbashree. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director Kudumbashree did the first sale of the 'Gandhaka Chicken' prepared by a Kudumbashree unit from Thirunelly, Wayanad. The Minister tasted this dish. The Executive Director also executed the first sale at Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant. Gandhaka Chicken is a new addition to Kudumbashree's signature dish list of Vanasundari, Solai Milan and Cochin Malhar.

Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant will operate from 11 AM to 11 PM. Kudumbashree's signature dishes are the main attraction. This Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant extends high quality services in all areas like parking, cleanliness, waste management, parcel service and online services. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree explained the project at the opening ceremony presided over by Shri. Mathew Thomas, Chairman, Angamaly Municipality. 

Ms. Rejeena T.M, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission welcomed the gathering. Ms. Rita Paul, Vice President, Angamaly Municipality,  Ms. Lisy Pauly, Chairperson, Municipal Welfare Standing Committee, Shri. Martin Mundadan, Ward Councilor, Ms. Lily Johnny, Chairperson, Kudumbashree CDS, Ms. Ajitha, Entrepreneur and other people's representatives and Kudumbashree officials were present at the function. Shri. Sreekanth A.S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

Applications are invited for various posts as part of NRLM-Attappady Tribal Special Project implemented by Kudumbashree in Attappady of Palakkad district. Recruitment  to the posts of Co-ordinator (Institution Building and Capacity Building), Co-ordinator (Farm Livelihood) and Finance Manager is on contract basis.  Applications should be submitted online through the website www.cmd.kerala.gov.in. Last date for submitting the application is  5 February 2024. For more details like educational qualification, age, salary, exam fee etc. visit Kudumbashree website www.kudumbashree.org/careers.

'Career Carnival', a district-level job fair was organized under the auspices of the Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission Government Higher Secondary School, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram on 28 January 2024. Leading employers in more than 75 sectors including tourism, hospitality management, finance, telecom, food processing, healthcare and information technology became a part of the fair. The Career Carnival, which is part of the DDU-GKY skill training programme implemented by Kudumbashree in the state, also facilitates spot registration for vocational skills courses.

Days and places of organizing career carnival on block basis in the district are as follows:

3 February 2024 - Greenland Auditorium, Nedumangad
6 February 2024 - TJ Auditorium, Neyyattinkara
9 February 2024 - Priyathama Auditorium, Balaramapuram
17 February 2024 - Dwarka Auditorium, Attingal

For the second year in a row, BUDS Children became the Stars of Kannur's Republic Day Parade. In 2023, there was a band troupe that left everyone in awe at the Republic Day parade held at the police ground in Kannur. The band group of differently-abled children of Mattannur Pazhassi Raja BUDS School. The same band team again came to the Republic Day Parade at the Police Ground on 26 January 2024 and amazed everyone once again with an extraordinary performance.

The band team formed in 2022 has 14 members. Majusha, Pranav, Rajinis, Arshad, Akshay, Saneesh, Fatima, Mubeena, Muhammad Mustaq, Nikhisha, Jithin, Aparna, Renjini and Fathimath Nafiya. They had also gained attention at the opening ceremony of BUDS 'Thillana', the  State-Level Arts Festival in Thillana, organized in Kannur. Those who came to the inauguration were received with the accompaniment of their band.

The teachers of the BUDS Schools and the staff of  Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission are  providing all kinds of support to BUDS children to shine in a field according to their abilities. The Kannur District Administration also deserves a great appreciation for giving these children such an opportunity.

Beneficiaries of PMAY(U)-LIFE, the scheme implemented by the Central and State Governments in collaboration with Municipal Corporations with the objective of 'Housing for All' & PM SVANidhi, the loan scheme for street vendors attended the Republic Day Parade at Delhi. Kudumbashree is the nodal agency in Kerala for both the projects.

Four beneficiaries of PMAY(U)-LIFE and two beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi reached Delhi as per the invitation of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Each of their family members and Kudumbashree officials joined them. They visited various places in Delhi and also had conversation with the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs. 

The PMAY (U)-LIFE beneficiaries include Ms. Babitha (Irinjalakuda, Thrissur), Ms. Lakshmi G (Thiruvananthapuram), Ms. Thankam (Mukkam, Kozhikode), Ms. P. Mala (Chengannur). Shri. Rajendran K (Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram), Shri. Augustine K.C (Angamaly, Thrissur) are the beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi. Ms. Bhavana M, Ms. Roshni K.G and Shri. Pridhvi Raj, State Programme Managers, Kudumbashree also joined them.

10 Kudumbashree NHG Members attended the Republic Day Parade held at Delhi on 26 January 2024. It is as per the direction of the Ministry of Rural Development, such an opportunity was arranged for the members including those from the Scheduled Tribes Community through Kudumbashree. Alike NHG members and their families, members from various other states have attended the Republic Day Parade. They visited the historical monuments in Delhi and also attended the dinner hosted by the Minister, Ministry of Rural Development. 

Ms. Chinnu (Ramamangalam, Ernakulam), Ms. Thara Kushan (Koottikkal, Kottayam), Ms. Greeshma P.G (Velliyamattam, Idukki), Ms. Vidhu A (Melarcode, Palakkad), Ms. Sulochana B (Kottukal, Thiruvananthapuram), Ms. Satyabhama M.A (Thirunelly, Wayanad), Ms. Kurumbi Kannan (Puthoor, Palakkad), Ms. Mini Saseendran (Velukkara, Thrissur), Ms. Shera Sherin Alvarez (Manjeshwar, Kasaragod), Ms. Mini R (Chettikulangara, Alappuzha), NHG members and Shri. Suhail P.K, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Ms. Reji Thomas, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission also joined the team.

Kudumbashree launched 'Nature's Fresh' Agri Kiosk Network, which provides organic vegetables, fruits and other value-added products produced by Kudumbashree NHG members. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala performed the official inauguration of the 'Nature's Fresh' Agri Nature Kiosk at Varkala Block Office, Cherunniyoor, Varkala on 25 January 2024. This Network of Agri Kiosks will be set up on a block basis. 11 'Nature's Fresh' Outlets were started at various districts across the state on 25 January 2024 itself. Wayanad district has the highest number of outlets. 4 outlets were started in Wayanad. Two outlets each were started in Kozhikode & Malappuram and one outlet was started in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts.

The Minister said that Kudumbashree is stepping into a new sector through 'Nature's Fresh' Agri Kiosk. In the first phase, the kiosks will be started in the Block Level. He also expressed his wish that may these 'Nature's Fresh' Agri Kiosks be extended to the Panchayath Level. Kudumbashree is a movement that redefined all the predefined norms of the society. The Minister said. He also added that Kudumbashree NHG members across the state have learned new entrepreneurial lessons through the 'Back to School' Campaign.

100 Agri Kiosks will be set up in the first phase all across the state. Launched as part of the Farm Livelihood Programme implemented by Kudumbashree, these kiosks will make available for marketing the fruits, vegetables and value added products produced by the Kudumbashree JLG - Joint Liability Groups under each Kudumbashree CDSs in the respective block.

At present, 3,78,138 NHG members of 81,034 JLGs are cultivating a total area of 12819.71 hectares of land. These products were mainly sold through local markets and other marketing fairs. Agriculture Community Resource Persons will collect the produce and deliver it to the kiosks for marketing. An NHG member will be in charge of marketing the products at the kiosk.

Ms. O.S. Ambika, MLA, presided over the function. Shri. B. Sreejith, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram District Mission made the first sale by giving it to Shri. K.M. Laji, Municipal Chairman. Adv. Smitha Sundareshan, President, Block Panchayath and Kudumbashree Governing Body Member welcomed the gathering. Ms. Bindu Shibu, Chairperson, Cherunniyoor CDS delivered the vote of thanks. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree explained the project. The best farmers among Elderly NHGs and Balasabhas were honored at the function.  Dr. Sajeev Kumar A, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree honored Ms. Freeda Franklin and Shri. Nafih Muhammed, PRO, Kudumbashree honoured Smrijith A, Balasabha Member. People's representatives, Kudumbashree officials and NHG members participated in the function.