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ISO Certification for Nutrimix Units

Two of Kudumbashree's Nutrimix units have secured ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Certification. Sanjeevani and JARMS Nutrimix units from Malappuram district are the two units that have secured ISO 22000:2018 certification of ISO in Food Safety Management.

The Sanjeevani unit was started jointly by 10 members under Thazhekode CDS during April 2006. In addition to Amrutham Nurimix powder, they are also producing flours in the name 'Jeevas', Nutrimix Biscuit Cake etc. For improving the sales and for improving quality and competence, the unit tried to get ISI 22000 certification during September 2020 and they got the same. Trade Mark was also registered. Rs 1.32 crores is the annual turnover of the unit. JARMS Group Nutrimix unit was the second Nutrimix unit which got ISO certification. This unit was started under Mancheri Municipality CDS 2 during July 2006. There are 6 members in the unit. They had secured all licenses needed for a production unit. Trade Mark registration has also been done. They aim at selling their products inside and outside India. They also produce products such as Pazhampori Mix, Baji Dhool, Palappam Mix, Matta Puttu Powder, Payasam Mix etc. Rs 1.13 crores is the annual sales of the unit. The members of both the units who took initiative and achieved ISO certification which could be a model for all Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. The Malappuram District team and CDS officials have extended the full support to these Nutrimix units.

Kudumbashree enterprises produce ‘Amrutham’ Nutrimix, the Take Home Ration provided through the Anganwadis in Kerala. As of now, 1569 NHG members are earning their livelihood through 241 Nutrimix units. An average of 23,000 metric tonnes of Nutrimix is being produced and distributed through these units (annually). Nutrimix units is one of the best government convergence programmes of Kudumbashree with an average yearly sales of Rs 169 crores. Grading of Nutrimix units was also introduced for ensuring the quality of the Nutrimix units. In addition to grading and system improvement done for fortification, Kudumbashree is implementing various activities for ensuring the quality of the Nutrimix units. Further, for increasing the income of the units, Kudumbashree is also formulating and introducing value addition to produce a variety of product

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Kudumbashree enterprises produce ‘Amrutham’ Nutrimix, the Take Home Ration provided through the Anganwadis in Kerala.

PMAY (Urban): National Awards for 3 Houses from Kerala

Three beneficiaries of PMAY (U) scheme from Kerala had bagged National Awards for building good houses using the PMAY (U) funds. Ms. Lekshmi. G, Mudavanmugal, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Ms. Babitha Asharaf, Palayamkottuparambil, Ward 37, Irinjalakuda and Ms. A. R Ragasree, Ward 29, Varkala Municipality are the award winning beneficiaries who achieved the awards by constructing the houses in the best ways possible. The award winning beneficiaries received the award from Mr. Durga Shanker Mishra IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.

Kudumbashree directed all the 14 district teams to select those beneficiaries under the award criteria ‘Best House Construction’ and had received a list of 825 beneficiaries from the districts. Later, a State Level Committee was formed and selected 10 beneficiaries from the list and handed over the same to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. The Ministry selected three beneficiaries from this list for the Award.

Kudumbashree had completed more than 64,000 houses till date. Kudumbashree had selected 'Harithabhavanam' (Green Houses) from among them and had given awards. Harithabhavanam award was given to those who maintained their premises in the best way. There were more criteria in the selection which includes energy conservation, sustainable use of water etc. Awards worth Rs 10,000 each were given by Kudumbashree to 124 beneficiaries.

The officials of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Irinjalakuda Municipality and Varkala Municipality had extended the award winning beneficiaries all the needed support. PMAY (U) had given awards to 88 beneficiaries from across the country altogether for building good houses using PMAY (U) funds.

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PMAY (Urban) National Award: Recognition for Mukkam Municipality

Mukkam Municipality of Kozhikode district of Kerala has bagged the National Award for the ‘Best Municipal Council ’constituted by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. This category of award is given to five best municipalities in the country. Mr. P.T Babu, Chairman, Mukkam Municipality, Adv. Chandni, Deputy Chairperson, Mukkam Municipality, Mr. N.K Hareesh, Secretary, Mukkam Municipality, Mr. Kunjan Master, Former Chairman, Mukkam Municipality received the award on behalf of Mukkam Municipality from Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India during the function held online on 1 January 2021.

In the first phase of PMAY (U) Programme approval was obtained for construction of 349 houses in Mukkam Municipality. Out of this, construction of 338 houses has been completed. In the second phase, approval was received for 152 houses. Out of this, construction of 137 houses has been completed. Mukkam Municipality has become the first ULB in Kerala by completing 95 % of the project in the shortest possible time.

The PMAY(Urban) Programme implemented in Mukkam Municipality stands out as it is formulated and implemented as a comprehensive programme other than considering it only as a housing programme. Also it was implemented in mission mode prefixing the dates in various phases. Various other programmes were converged for the PMAY beneficiaries and this made the housing project attractive and comprehensive. Cement building blocks were made available at Rs 10 per cement block by including in the Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme. Also wells were constructed for the needy beneficiaries in their house premises. Eligible houses were included in the Swachh Bharath Programme and were provided with Biogas Plants at subsidized rates (biogas plants worth Rs 15000 were given at Rs 1500). Those interested in skill training (from the PMAY U beneficiary family) were provided with skill training by including in the National Urban Livelihood Mission.

In addition, when approval was received from Kudumbashree, the meeting of the beneficiaries were conducted during the succeeding week itself and were given awareness. The dates for distribution of the installments and the completion of the houses are prefixed and are implemented in mission mode. Mukkam Municipality had taken special attention to credit the upcoming installment to the bank account of the beneficiary, once each construction phase was completed. Whenever the receipt of central/ state funds were slightly delayed, necessary actions were taken to arrange the needed amount for the beneficiaries temporarily from the own fund of the municipality. When the construction of the houses were completed, Completion Camp was organized for the beneficiaries as well. Through the camp, under the supervision of the engineering, revenue sections of the municipality, house number was allotted for the completed houses without any delay. All these had helped Mukkam Municipality in making this meritorious achievement.

Kudumbashree is the State Level Nodal Agency of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-Urban), the centrally sponsored programme which gives houses to the urban homeless in Kerala. In Kerala, the PMAY - U programme is being implemented converging with LIFE Mission. Till date, approval has been received for construction of 1,02,229 houses. Out of this, construction of 63,449 houses have been completed. The excellence in project execution is continuing.

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Utsav online sales campaign is Superhit

Utsav, Kudumbashree's online marketing campaign, which was envisaged to boost sales through kudumbashreebazaar.com, the online marketing portal of Kudumbashree became a great success.Through this trade fair held from 4-30 November, sales of Rs. 12,45,033 was recorded. It was for the first time, Kudumbashree organised such an online trade fair and the first season of 'Utsav' was a great success. Through this activity, Kudumbashree was able to make the best online marketing possible.

A total of 142 units from 14 districts across the state registered in Utsav by offering discounts for their products. Out of these units, 133 entrepreneurs had received orders during the campaign. 834 products uploaded by 142 enterprises were floated for sale through the online portal with many discounts. These products received 7492 orders. Through this, income of Rs. 12,45,033 was also recorded. Through this online marketing campaign, kudumbashree products were introduced to many new customers. And, some of the customers had approached Kudumbashree to buy these products in bulk quantities and that itself reflects the success of 'Utsav'.

Kannur district team showcased best performance in 'Utsav' Campaign. Kannur district ensured registration of maximum enterprises (36) in the campaign; also they ranked high when considering the number of products (122) uploaded. Kannur earned maximum number of orders (1538) and registered maximum sales (Rs 2,46,742) as well. Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kottayam districts also did well to coordinate. 1148 orders were received for enterprises from Ernakulam district. 1146 orders were received from Thrissur. Also, 688 orders were received from Kozhikode district and 313 orders were received from Kottayam district.

The Postal Department extended the services of delivering the products to the customers. In addition to sales, Kudumbashree was able to give training/ information about online marketing to our entrepreneurs. Also, by doing various activities related to online marketing, Kudumbashree team was able to gain insights about various aspects of the online market.

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A total of 142 units from 14 districts across the state registered in Utsav by offering discounts for their products. Out of these units, 1

Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Team ensures excellent participation in the election process

Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Team had ensured excellent participation in the election process. Dr. D Sajith Babu IAS, District Collector, Kasaragod had given approval for Kudumbashree to sell cooked food for the officials at the 9 distribution centres set up as part of the Local Body Elections at Kasaragod district. As per this, 86 Kudumbashree members have cooked and distributed food and had secured Rs 4,99,997 as income. The District Administration had entrusted Kudumbashree not only to serve food at distribution centres, but they were also provided with opportunities at polling booths. Kudumbashree entrepreneurs were entrusted for giving breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea/coffee, snacks etc as packed food to the officials at 1,409 polling booths. Under their leadership, food was distributed in all polling booths. 2,721 NHG members have secured a turnover of Rs 24,67,290 (altogether) through this activity. By adding sales through both activities i.e., serving food at distribution centres and providing packed food at the polling booths, Kudumbashree members of Kasaragod district have recorded a turnover of Rs 29,67,287. This was the highlight of the opportunity received by Kudumbashree Kasaragod team.

In addition to these, Kudumbashree members were entrusted to clean the distribution centres and to disinfect the polling booths. 2,339 NHG members took charge of these activities. It is a great achievement that the participation of 5,146 NHG members was ensured at distribution centres and polling booths as part of this democratic process. Other than earning profit through food distribution, these women became close with the democratic process and were able to assist those who came to serve during the election process. Along with helping the Kudumbashree NHG members come forward to the mainstream of the society as elected representatives, the Kudumbashree system had always tried to partner in the election process by making use of various opportunities. In short, active participation of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs was recorded during the Local Body Elections at Kasaragod.

Along with becoming part of strengthening the democratic process by maintaining a peaceful atmosphere for the officials who came for the election, this was an activity that helped the women empowerment process. Even during the Lok Sabha Elections 2019, Kudumbashree members across the state were active at distribution centres, training centres and counting stations engaged in various activities such as food distribution, data entry works, printing, maintaining green protocol etc.

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In addition to these, Kudumbashree members were entrusted to clean the distribution centres and to disinfect the polling booths.

7071 people’s representatives to local bodies from Kudumbashree!

When the local body election procedures came to an end, Kudumbashree has secured the greatest success. Out of the 16,965 Kudumbashree members contested in the local body elections, 7071 of them were selected as people's representatives. It is a great achievement for Kudumbashree that, out of the entire set of people's representatives, about 1/3rd are Kudumbashree members! This could be considered as the epitome of Women Empowerment.

The experience attained by working along with the public for longer periods, the skill to identify and resolve the issues of the public (especially that of women), the experience earned by providing leadership to the various programmes of Kudumbashree (implemented in convergence with the LSGIs), the trainings received in connection with the same and the experience thus gained about working with the Government etc. would have contributed to the participation of Kudumbashree members in local body elections. This resulted in huge opportunities for them as well. The public support, leadership, experience, practical knowledge, confidence gained through social activities and willingness for selfless service they have attained through Kudumbashree will help them in their activities as elected representatives.

The details of those competed in the local body elections with the number of winners are given below (In the order of the District, number of Kudumbashree members who competed and number of members who won elections)

1. Thiruvananthapuram- 1415- 547

2. Kollam-1607- 551

3. Pathanamthitta- 889- 333

4. Alappuzha-1668- 609

5. Kottayam-1279- 457

6. Idukki- 733- 381

7. Ernakulam-1918- 656

8. Thrissur-815- 537

9. Palakkad-1617- 654

10. Malappuram- 1429- 678

11. Kozhikode-1676- 694

12. Wayanad-382- 228

13. Kannur- 1266- 602

14. Kasaragod- 171- 144

Total- 16,865- 7071

All the 21,865* elected members have sworn in as members/ counsellors of the local bodies in the state. It is expected that these elected representatives will be able to ensure local economic development in the best possible manner by making use of the experience attained by working along with the public.

*As per www.trend.kerala.gov.in

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It is a great achievement for Kudumbashree that, out of the entire set of people's representatives, about 1/3rd are Kudumbashree members! This could be considered as the epitome of Women Empowerment.

Kudumbashree District Missions observe World Suicide Prevention Day in a sagacious way

Amidst the crisis of Covid 19, various District Missions of Kudumbashree observed World Suicide Prevention Day in a sagacious way. District Missions organised online webinars and poster making campaigns to mark the day in the most effective way. Online webinars, discussion programmes, poster awareness campaigns, cartoon drawing and caption writing competitions, elocution competition, essay writing competition, etc were organised under the leadership of various district missions.

The online webinars organised were presided over by psychiatrists, psychologists and subject experts. Special webinars were organised under the leadership of some district missions for teenage students. Balasabha children also became part of the campaign by organising poster exhibitions and awareness classes. ' Working together to prevent suicide' the slogan of World Suicide Prevention Day 2020 was discussed among the NHG members. The topics discussed also included 'Suicide tendancy among children'. The programmes were organised under the leadership of the respective Gender Resource Centres (GRCs). Community Counsellor, Vigilant Group Members coordinated the programmes in a fruitful way.

World Suicide Prevention Day(WSPD) is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003. It is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been the co-sponsor of the day. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.

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Kudumbashree to arrange International Labour Organisation's Special Training for Micro Enterprise Consultants

Kudumbashree would arrange International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Special Training for Micro Enterprise Consultants. The 7 day training would be extended starting from September till December in all districts. Topic of ‘Sick ME Revival' would be mainly dealt during the training. Along with the main trainers of ILO, the Master Trainers from among Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Consultants (MECs) would also be part of the teaching team. The topic of 'Sick ME Revival' is selected for reviving the enterprises that faced crisis during covid-19 and the unprecedented floods.

During the crisis situation of Covid-19 pandemic, entrepreneurs have been facing many challenges, viz., the scarcity of the raw materials, lack of sales opportunities, difficulty faced in running the enterprises due to lockdown etc. It is a greater challenge to bring back the enterprises which faced these issues to normal production status. As the MECs are expected to provide leadership for these activities, it is inevitable to extend good training to the MECs. So, Kudumbashree have decided to extend online training to MECs through the International Labour Organisation's (ILO)s training division. Kudumbashree had already received ILO's training before and were benefited with the inputs. Hence, Kudumbashree decided to opt for the services of ILO for the training for MECs.

The International Labour Organization is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice through setting international labour standards. International Labour Organization (ILO) deals with labour problems, particularly international labour standards, social protection, and work opportunities at international level. Non farm livelihoods (micro enterprises) of Kudumbashree plays a key role in helping the NHG members identify sources of livelihood of their own. Micro Enterprise Consultants (MEC) are the strength of Kudumbashree enterprises. They are selected from within the community itself (from NHG members) and they gain expertise in the enterprise sector after undergoing various training. MECs provide General Orientation Training and Enterprise Development Training to Kudumbashree enterprises. Also, MECs provide enterprises with support in preparing the project report and in obtaining various funds and subsidies. There are a total of 325 MECs in Kerala. MECs always try to identify the issues faced by entrepreneurs, offer help to resolve the issues and extend them needed support. Once this training is completed, it is expected that Kudumbashree will be able to capacitate the MECs in supporting the entrepreneurs who have faced challenges. In addition to this, training would also be extended in branding and accounting. After providing training, ILO will continue supporting MECs for the next three months.

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The International Labour Organization is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice through setting international labour standards.

Kudumbashree launches 'Karuthal Campaign'

Kudumbashree launcheed 'Karuthal Campaign', a product- marketing campaign during this onam season for providing support to the Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and farming groups who had to face loss due to the covid-19 lockdown. The campaign aims at encouraging the entrepreneurs/ farming groups to produce and to rejuvenate the enterprises that had faced loss. Through this activity, Kudumbashree would be able to extend greater marketing support to the entrepreneurs and farming group members during these tough times. Kudumbashree also hopes to make available the best products produced by Kudumbashree enterprises to the NHG members during this onam season.

As part of the campaign, products from micro enterprises in various sectors and farming groups will be selected, packed in kits and be taken to all NHGs at the rate of Rs 500 per kit. The kits will be delivered to the NHGs through the CDSs and the NHG members may buy the kits in instalments. NHG members may repay the amount of the kits to the NHGs and a maximum of 20 installments are permitted for repayment. Kudumbashree District Missions collect the rates and other details of the products from the entrepreneurs in the respective districts and will inform the CDSs. CDSs prepare the list of those who need the kits from among NHG members and will inform DMCs. Products are collected from the entrepreneurs and the kits are prepared as part of the ‘Kathuthal’ campaign with leadership of the district missions. This is the process flow / logistics of preparing the kits. The vegetable kits are packed in the CDS level. In this way, products worth Rs.500 are taken to the NHGs in a single packet. It is expected that these activities will help in finding new market avenues for Kudumbashree's products and hope that it will result in earning additional income for them.

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As part of the campaign, products from micro enterprises in various sectors and farming groups will be selected, packed in kits and be taken to all NHGs at the rate of Rs 500 per kit.

Kudumbashree plans to launch 100 Permanent Marketing Outlets

Kudumbashree is planning to launch 100 Permanent Marketing Outlets in the state for making the agricultural and non agricultural products produced by NHG women, available for the public. Monthly markets that function in a good way are identified and will be converted into permanent marketing outlets. These permanent marketing outlets would be uniformly branded as well. The activities for implementing the same had already been started.

Kudumbashree has been organising monthly markets at every block and Urban Local Bodies, which is one of the key marketing activities of Kudumbashree. Such monthly markets organised at some locations continuously function for one week or so. It is then Kudumbashree decided to turn these selected monthly markets that function well into permanent marketing outlets. During the 2019-20 financial year, 1876 monthly markets were organised by Kudumbashree across Kerala. Sales of Rs 5.85 crores was recorded through the Monthly markets.

The permanent marketing outlets will function under the ownership of the respective CDSs. It is aimed at arranging a permanent marketing outlet for a minimum of 25 NHG entrepreneurs/ farming groups in the respective Local Self Government Institutions (LSGIs) for marketing their products. Likewise, marketing support will be provided to 2500 women entrepreneurs through these outlets. Sales of a minimum of Rs 50,000 per month is expected from these permanent outlets. The plan is to set up 100 uniformly branded marketing outlets. District Missions will select the locations of monthly markets that are to be converted for permanent marketing outlets. Respective CDSs will be entrusted with the management of the marketing outlets. An entrepreneur or a staff can be assigned for the management of the outlets by CDS.

A meeting of the entrepreneurs and farmers could be called at first. Then the next step will be to finalise products that will be displayed for sale from the entrepreneurs. CDS will ensure the regular supply including logistics from the production house of the entrepreneurs to the outlets. Services of the Micro Enterprise Consultants (MECs) could be used for the same. A fixed amount will be collected from the entrepreneurs for display of their products in the marketing outlets. This amount will be paid to the outlet operators/management team. Rs 5 lakh is earmarked for setting up each of these permanent marketing outlets.

The activity of selecting the permanent marketing outlets is progressing. 100 uniformly branded marketing outlets would be set up by November. Following that, the geo tagging would be done. Once these marketing outlets would be functional, a new avenue will be opened for the Kudumbashree entrepreneurs for ensuring a permanent income of their own and the public will get an opportunity to use the agricultural and non agricultural products produced by NHG women.

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A meeting of the entrepreneurs and farmers could be called at first. Then the next step will be to finalise products that will be displayed for sale from the entrepreneurs.