Shri. Jafar Malik IAS,  Executive Director, Kudumbashree visited the Kudumbashree Stalls at India International Trade Fair (IITF) being organized at Pragati Maidan, Delhi. He was accompanied with Shri. Nafih Muhammed, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree, Shri. Muhammed Shan S, State Assistant Programme Manager and Shri. Shobhu Narayanan, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree.

There are two Kudumbashree stalls in the commercial stalls for product marketing at the Kerala Pavilion at IITF, which is run under the auspices of the India Trade Promotion Organization and the Union Ministry of Rural Development. Kudumbashree has also prepared a special themed stall based on this year's theme of 'Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam' - Unity through Trade. The food court also has stalls of Kudumbashree units from Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram districts. IITF also has Aajeevika Saras Mela to introduce the best products of rural entrepreneurs to the whole of India. There are five stalls of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs in this Saras Mela. The fair will conclude on 27 November 2023.

A group of tourists from Sweden visited 'Noorang' Heritage Tuber Conservation Centre at Thirunelly of Wayanad district of Kerala which protects over 180 tubers. Tourists have been given an opportunity to visit 'Noorang' from the 1 to 31 December 2023 in the name of  'Noorang Thirgale'. A 21-member team of cyclists from Sweden visited 'Noorang' on 4 November 2023. They spent three hours at 'Noorang'.

'Noorang' is being conducted by ten women who are members of Kudumbashree from the Vetta Kuruma section of Irumbupalam hamlet, as part of a special tribal project run by Kudumbashree in Thirunelly of Wayanad district. A sweet stew made of tubers and different types of edible leaves are prepared for the visitors. One can visit 'Noorang' during the time between 10 AM & 5 PM. Entry to 'Noorang' is by pass. For more details: 9895303504

Chalanam District Level Mentoring Camp for strengthening the Kudumbashree organizational system in urban CDSs was held at Pathanamthitta from 13 to16 November 2023. Ms. Aadhila, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission inaugurated the camp at Zion Retreat Centre, Kunnanthanam, Pathanamthitta. The CDS Chairpersons of Pathanamthitta, Adoor, Pandalam and Thiruvalla Urban Local Bodies and Sub Committee Conveners participated in the training. Ms. Renjini Ajith, CDS Chairperson, Kunnanthanam CDS presided over the inaugural function. Ms. Beena E, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Shri. Ajith Kumar M, Shri. Ajith. S, Ms. Sunitha V, City Mission Managers, Ms. Seema, Shri. Anil, Members, Training Core Team also spoke at the function.

The government ordered to allocate Rs. 33.6 crores as subsidy to Janakeeya Hotels, a public welfare scheme implemented in the state through Kudumbashree (G.O.(Rt) No. 2260/2023/LSGD dated 17-11-2023). 5043 Kudumbashree women entrepreneurs in 1198 Janakeeya Hotels will be benefited out of it. Rs. 33.6 crores have now been sanctioned out of Rs. 41.09 crores due from December 2022 to August 2023.

Janakeeya Hotels were started in the context of the Covid pandemic as part of the Hunger Free Kerala Scheme introduced in the budget of the State Government in the financial year 2019-20. The aim of the project was to provide free or moderate cost mid-day meals to the poor, marginalized, underprivileged and bedridden. Later the project was extended across the state on an enterprise model.

Meals were provided at Janakeeya Hotels at the rate of Rs. 20 per meal and Rs. 25 per parcel. Considering the covid situation, subsidy was also given to the entrepreneurs at the rate of Rs. 10 per meal. The subsidy was discontinued when the threat of covid was over and the social life returned to its pre-covid status. Instead as per the direction of the District Planning Committee, Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 was fixed per meal in each district to avoid the financial burden for the entrepreneurs.

Chalanam District Level Mentoring Camp was held at Palakkad. The objective of this state-wide camp is to introduce various government schemes to the office-bearers of the Kudumbashree organization system in urban CDSs, evaluate the achievements of the first phase of 'Chalanam' and 'Chuvadu' trainings, and prepare a theme-based action plan for the future activities of CDSs.

The camp was held at Integrated Rural Technology Centre (IRTC), Mundur, Palakkad from 7 to 10 November 2023. Ms. Priya Ajayan, Chairperson, Palakkad Municipality performed the inauguration of the function. Ms. Radha Bhai T, Chairperson, Mundur CDS presided over the function and Ms. Janaki Devi, Chairperson, Ottappalam Municipality was the chief guest of the programme. Shri. K.K. Chandradas, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission, Ms. Beena E, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree State Mission and Ms. Reetha, CDS Chairperson, Palakkad South CDS spoke at the function.

Kudumbashree received rave reviews at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) which was started under the aegis of India Trade Promotion Organization and Union Ministry of Rural Development at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 14 November 2023. There are two Kudumbashree stalls in the commercial stall for marketing the products in the Kerala Pavilion at IITF. Kudumbashree products selected from various districts are marketed here. Kudumbashree has also prepared a special themed stall based on this year's theme of 'Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam' - Unity through Trade.

Also in the food court there are stalls of Kudumbashree units from Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram districts bringing the taste of Kerala to Delhi.   IITF also has Ajeevika Saras Mela to introduce the best products of rural entrepreneurs to the whole of India. There are five stalls of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs in this Saras Mela. These stalls are from Attappady, Palakkad, Idukki, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. The fair will conclude on 27 November 2023. People keep on coming to Kudumbashree stalls to buy Kudumbashree products and experience the unique taste of Kerala.

BUDS School Student bagged Government of Kerala's 'Ujjwala Balyam' Award. Hanna Jahaura from Tirur BUDS School of Malappuram district of Kerala received the award from Shri. V.K. Prasanth MLA during the function held in Thiruvananthapuram on 14 November 2023 in connection with the Children's Day Celebrations. Hanna, who has excelled in the field of arts and sports, is the daughter of Basheer and Maimuna, who lives in Cherimundam House at Koormath, Iringavoor. She is currently preparing to compete in Badminton in the Special Olympics to be organized in Goa in January 2024. Ms. Shaija, her teacher at BUDS School is extending her all the support.

'Auxomeet @ 23' will be organized for Auxiliary Group members and young women between the ages of 18 and 40 on the model of the successful campaign held for NHG members- 'Back to School'. The meet will be held on 23 December 2023 under the leadership of Kudumbashree CDS. Training for state level trainers for this was organized on N at KILA, Thrissur on 14-15 November 2023. The meet aims at renewing and expanding the Auxiliary Groups. The meet aims to develop the skills of Auxiliary Groups to engage in social and cultural activities and enable effective utilization of innovative livelihood opportunities. Also the meet aims to develop Auxiliary Groups as Regional Knowledge Resource Centres.

About three lakh women who are currently members of the Auxiliary Groups will be a part of the meet. The formal inauguration of the training for trainers was done by Dr. Joy Elamon, Director, KILA, Thrissur. Dr. Kavitha A , District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission presided over the function and Shri. Nishad C.C, State Program Manager, Kudumbashree State Mission presented the topic. Shri. Vipin Vilfred, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Shri. Mathew Chacko delivered the vote of thanks.

Along with the officials of Kudumbashree State Mission, Ms. Reji Thomas, District Program Manager, Thrissur, Shri. Santhakumar, Kudumbashree Training Team Member, Auxiliary Group State Resource Persons- Ms. Arya (Kollam), Ms. Gayathri (Thiruvananthapuram), Ms. Arya (Alappuzha), Ms. Jyothi (Ernakulam), Ms. Bismi (Thrissur) and Ms. Oleena (Kozhikode) and Ms. Shyamili (Kasaragod) gave leadership to the training.

'Inno Explosive', an Entrepreneurial Idea Competition is being organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission. Kudumbashree is organizing a rare opportunity to share the entrepreneurial ideas and win the first prize of Rs.5000. This Entrepreneurial Idea Competition is being held for the general public as part of the National Saras Mela proposed to be held in Ernakulam during December 2023. 

Business ideas suitable for the conditions of Kerala and suitable for women entrepreneurs with an investment of less than Rs. 10 lakhs should be given. Ideas from any field are welcome. Along with the idea, the physical and financial details of the venture should also be recorded. The last date for sending the ideas is 30 November 2023. The ideas may be sent to sarasmelaernakulam@gmail.com or to The District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Mission, Civil Station, 2nd Floor, Kakkanad, Ernakulam 682030.

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission is extending its hands of mercy to the helpless and needy in the society through 'Kaithangu', not limited only to NHG members. The scheme was launched in 90 CDSs out of total 111 CDSs in Malappuram district on 1 November 2023, Kerala Piravi Day. Within a week, the scheme will be launched on the remaining CDSs as well. The district level inauguration of 'Kaithangu', a unique project of the District Mission to meet urgent needs and carry out emergency charity work, was performed by Ms. C.P. Naseera, President, District Panchayath during the function held at at Tavanur Panchayat on 16 October 2023. The inauguration was done by giving a laptop to provide training to overcome the visual impairment as part of the treatment of a visually impaired student in the panchayath. 

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission aims to implement the project by initially mobilizing a fund of Rs. 1.11 crores by pooling at least Rs. 1 lakh each from all CDSs. After giving assistance to the needy, it is sufficient to obtain approval in the CDS meeting. Every year Kudumbashree conducts many social interactions, voluntary and charitable activities at the NHG level, ADS level and CDS levels. Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission aims to unify and systematize these activities under the leadership of Kudumbashree CDSs through 'Kaithangu'.