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Kudumbashree is all set to implement new training programme in 4 states as part of the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) of National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). NRETP is being implemented in many states under the leadership of the Ministry of Rural Development with the support of the World Bank. The aim of the project is to elevate the enterprise model to higher level (scalable enterprises). As a part of this project, NRLM had sought Kudumbashree's support to extend training to the Business Development Support Providers (BDSP), who would be appointed for increasing the business of the enterprises. Assam, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have already requested Kudumbashree's support for providing training to the BDSPs as part of NRETP. Kudumbashree had signed an MoU with National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), based on this requirement.

The aim was to develop a module for the training and thereby improve their skillsets. Kudumbashree had extended training to the Community Resource Persons (CRP-EP) of various states as part of Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP). NRLM sought Kudumbashree's expertise to extend training to the BDSPs, as Kudumbashree has previous experience in extending training to the Community Resource Persons (CRP-EP), and the NRETP Project is in the model of the SVEP Project. The activities of the BDSPs of NRETP is more challenging than that of the Community Resource Persons of SVEP. Therefore, they require more training to impart the required skill set. So Kudumbashree is planning to make the training module for the Community Resource Persons as the Basic Module for the training for BDSPs.

Kudumbashree also plans to formulate a new training module, as a Growth Module (as an additional component) to help them improve their skill sets and extend the training. In short, as per the requirement of NRLM, Kudumbashree would prepare a training programme that would consist of the Basic Module and Growth Module for the BDSPs.The training would be done completely in online mode, in the background of Covid-19 pandemic. It is a great challenge for Kudumbashree to turn the training programme for moulding the best community cadres for supporting the enterprises, completely into online mode.

Kudumbashree have also decided to prepare a Learning Management System to extend the needed training and skill development in online mode to the trainees. Various study materials such as videos on different topics, case studies, special training modules etc are included in addition to the online classes. Kudumbashree aims at making this training the best by providing this study material along with the online classes. Kudumbashree aims at starting the training in the concerned states immediately on getting final approval for these training modules.

Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission has come up with 'Kalimuttam', an innovative programme for ensuring the mental health of children.'Kalimuttam' is the programme being implemented through Kudumbashree Balasabhas by the Kannur District Administration, in the realization that their mental health needs to be improved. The District Level Inauguration of the Programme was held at English Medium School, Anjarakandy, Kannur on 28 January 2021.

The lockdown which was notified in the state due to covid-19 and the other restrictions had affected children adversely. This Comprehensive Development Programme is being implemented by bringing together all the Departments working in connection with Child Development under one roof. The programme would be implemented through Kudumbashree Balasabhas in convergence with National Health Mission, Library Council, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services). The 'Kalimuttam' Programme aims at the physical, social and mental health development of children and is implemented in four levels such as NHG level (Balasabha level), ADS level, panchayath level and State level.

The locally selected Resource Persons would communicate with the children at Balasabhas, on various topics. They would identify those children who are suffering from mental stress and ensure them the needed help under the leadership of the District Mental Health experts. Curriculum related activities, co-curricular activities, personality development classes, activities to nurture social service attitude, art-sports and cultural activities, farming activities, gender sensitization classes etc will also be implemented through this coordination programme. The programme also aims at developing a referral system for the social-mental support of the children along with organising productive and creative activities for children with their peers. The important activities being implemented through 'Kalimuttam' Programme are as follows.

1.Curricular Activities- These are activities based on the online classes attended by the students. Seeking the local history (Social Studies), arranging vegetable gardens, gardening (Botany), discussion on books, recitation (linguistic studies), bird watching and environment observation (Zoology, Botany).
2.Co-curricular Activities- Related to art (books, poems, music, handicraft making, origami), sports- related to physical fitness (cycling groups,marathon, walking).
3. Personality Development Classes, Gender Sensitization Activities (Doctor Kid- for covid response and awareness, cookery programmes and household chores-without any gender differences, cleaning house and surroundings).
4. Activities to nurture Social Service attitude- Interviews of Palliative Care workers and activities with them, cleaning public spaces and paths with social workers.

By launching such a programme associating with Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission, the Kannur District Administration had taken the upper hand in the development of the upcoming generation and for improving their mental health. The Kudumbashree Kannur District team is actively making effective interventions for implementing such an activity, converging with other governmental departments. All these activities of this programme are being implemented following the covid-19 protocol.

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.

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.

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.