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Kozhikode Corporation Kudumbashree launches 'Fresh Mask'. As Covid 19 was confirmed in Kerala, and the availability of masks became scarce, Kozhikode Corporation Kudumbashree acted on time and started making masks. So, the officials engaged in health activities and the health workers will get the required number masks. The Fresh Mask was launched by Shri. Thottathil Raveendran, Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation on 17 March 2020.

The masks are prepared by the 94 units, who have been registered as a micro enterprise named 'Fresh Bags' in Kozhikode Corporation, engaged in making cloth bags. 706 Kudumbashree members are working in those 94 units. The Fresh Mask is made in 6x4 inch size using surgical cloth. These units itself are capable of making 35,000 masks a day. Kudumbashree aims at making available these masks in the market at Rs 7 per unit. In the first day itself, 3500 masks were ready. As per the request of the District Administration, 20,000 masks would be produced and be handed over to the district administration.

As the need of the masks increased, the 'Fresh Bags' unit temporarily stopped the production of the cloth bags and started making cloth masks. Shri. Binu Francis, Secretary, Kozhikode Corporation, Shri. Prakashan T.K, Kudumbashree Project Officer, Smt. O. Rejitha, Chairperson, Smt. N. Jayaseela, Chairperson, Smt. T.K. Geetha, Chairperson, Shri. Jaison T.J, Manager, NULM were also present at the launch.

As a novel way of celebrating International Women's Day, Kudumbashree members organised NHG meetings at night on 7 March 2020. This ‘night meetings’ brought an opportunity for women to own those public places and spaces which they are denied at night. By owning the public spaces at nights, Kudumbashree members made a new proclamation that all these opportunities are their rights.

There are 3 lakh NHGs in Kerala with 43 lakh women as members. Usually they conduct their NHG meetings on Saturdays or Sundays of every week at the residence of one of the NHG member. As part of the Women's Day Celebrations, it was suggested to conduct NHG meetings on 7 March 2020 any time after 7 PM. And those who could not conduct on that day, meetings were held on 8 March 2020. Most of the NHGs had organised such NHG meetings on 7 March 2020 and converted the Women's Day Celebration as an entirely different experience.

The theme of our NHGs ‘night meeting’ was ‘My Opportunity My Right'. A circular was also given to all NHG s with three points to discuss and think during NHG meetings at night. The three concepts given in the circular were as follows.

“1. Let us think and work for securing new opportunities realizing that the opportunities of women are their rights.

2. In addition to all the activities we did until now, let us decide today to become the harbingers of change.

3. Through the fraternity of women and through new opportunities, let us work hard for equality and development. "

These points were read out and were discussed in the NHG meetings with great enthusiasm and strength. Prior to the night NHG meetings, Kudumbashree members had set up 'My Opportunity is my Right'-Kudumbashree Flags proclaiming women rights all across the state.

'My Opportunity is my Right' - This was the slogan for the Women's Day Celebrations of Kudumbashree, this year. As part of the Women's Day Celebrations, the NHGs were directed to make ‘Flags' highlighting slogans about women’s rights and fix it in the public places without causing an inconvenience to the public. The aim was to pass on the message- 'My opportunity My Right' to the society. The NHGs were asked to get an old white cloth, write slogans of Women's Day, make flags and fix it in different places of their locality. NHGs had wholeheartedly welcomed that idea and they made maximum efforts to make aware the need of becoming empowered by identifying more opportunities.

Respective District Missions had organised various programmes in their districts and the International Women's Day was celebrated in its real sense paving way for fruitful discussions.

Janakeeya Hotel was opened in Alappuzha district of Kerala and Hunger Free Canteen was opened in Kunnamkulam of Thrissur. The first of its kind Janakeeya Hotel has been opened in Mannancherry of Alappuzha district of Kerala. Government of Kerala had mentioned about starting a total of 1000 hunger free hotels would be opened which would serve lunch at Rs 25 per meal under the aegis of Kudumbashree Mission, during the Kerala Budget 2020-21.The Janakeeya Hotel at Alappuzha was inaugurated by Dr. T. M. Thomas Issac, Finance Minister, Government of Kerala on 29 February 2020. Those without money may also have food from here by making use of the 'Share Meals' coupon available at the counter. Those who wish to sponsor may buy the Share Meals coupon as well. The Hotel will serve specials as well. The Janakeeya Hotel is located near the Private Bus Stand, Mannancherry, Alappuzha and it functions at the 2 room building of Mannancherry Panchayath. The Janakeeya Hotel may occupy 36 people at a time. Two Kudumbahsree women had been entrusted with the task of serving the food at the Janakeeya Hotel opened at Mannancherry. They are Smt. Thanuja and Smt. Vijayalakshmi.

Meanwhile, Hunger Free Canteen was opened in the Kunnamkulam of Thrissur district. The Hunger Free Canteen was inaugurated by Shri. P. Thilothaman, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Kerala on 28 February 2020. Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala presided over the function. The Canteen would serve lunch to 500 people between 12.30 PM and 2.30 PM at Rs 20 per meals. Civil Supplies would give Rs 5 as subsidy for the food of Rs 20. The canteen is run by including in the Vanitha Ghataka Padhathi through Kudumbashree.

Kudumbashree Bazaar, the third of its kind supermarket for exclusively selling the products of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs in the state had been launched in Ernakulam district of Kerala. Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Kudumbashree Bazar at Ernakulam on 28 February 2020. The

Supermarket is opened at Kolenchery of Aikkaranadu Panchayath in Vadavukodu Puthenkurishu block and is situated in 1350 sq ft area. 485 products of 102 micro entrepreneurs would be available for sale through this supermarket. A daily sales of Rs 30,000 is expected from the newly opened Kudumbashree Bazaar.

Two Kudumbashree Supermarkets were already opened in Wayanad and Pathanamthitta districts. The Supermarket opened in Kaniyambatta Panchayath of Wayanad district of Kerala is situated in 800 sq ft area. 256 products of 85 entrepreneurs are available for sale at this supermarket and they have a monthly sales of Rs 2 lakhs. The Kudumbashree Bazar opened in Thiruvalla Municipality of Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, near By pass road, opposite to public stadium is functioning in the model of village souk. This Bazar, which is situated in 2000 sqft space has 7 shops of 100 sqft area and a food court. 110 products of 20 entrepreneurs are available for sale at this Supermarket. Rs 4 lakhs is the monthly sales recorded there.

Kudumbashree Bazaars envisages to bring to the market, more products of Kudumbashree under one umbrella. More such Kudumbashree Bazaars would be opened all across the state and would arrange better markets for the products of Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs through such permanent marketing outlets. Kudumbashree has also been making use of various marketing activities like trade fairs, nano markets at super markets, online portals, homeshops etc to market the products of Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs.

Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission launched Thayyal Gramam (Stitching Village) enterprise as part of Theerashree for the welfare of the coastal residents in the district. Shri. T.Tyson Master, MLA, inaugurated the enterprise at Karinkulam Junction, Eriyad, Thrissur on 24 February 2020.

 This programme is organised by joining together all the Kudumbashree women from the coastal sector in the district. The programme aims at helping the women finding a source of livelihood of their own. The programme envisages making the Panchayaths under the Theerashree Programme, into Model Villages. The programme would be implemented at first in the Ward Number 21 of Eriyad Panchayath. As part of the programme, the 30 members of the  ward were given training in cloth bag making. The unit is set up at the building near the Eriyad Karikkulam Hospital. Rs 2.5 lakhs is the total project cost.

Eriyad, Mathilakam, Sreenarayanapuram, Valappad and Kaippamangalam are the 5 Panchayaths which come under Theerashree programme, and have 25 coastal wards altogether. As part of the Model Village concept, different ideas are conceptualised. Like Thayyal Gramam, Achar Gramam(Pickle Village), Podi Gramam (Flour Village), Pazham-Pachakari Gramam (Fruit and Vegetable Village), Catering Village etc are planned focusing on various sectors. Theerashree is being implemented to solve the issues existing among the coastal people viz., increasing debts, lack of education and skill training, absence of  the habit of savings and help improve their lives.

Kudumbashree launched Theerashree Programme for the welfare of the poor in the coastal areas during July 2019. The programme envisages strengthening the Kudumbashree activities in the 82 coastal panchayaths in the state, thereby improve the quality of life of women and children in the coastal areas and improve their livelihood activities.The programme aims including new families into Kudumbashree neighbourhood group system, rejuvenate inactive NHGs,  extend source of earning income to atleast one member of every family, grade all eligible NHGs and avail linkage loan to them, extend skill training to the poor youth in the coastal areas and assure them jobs. Uncertainties in job, irregularity in getting income, educational backwardness, unavailability of basic amenities, health issues in women and children, scarcity of drinking water, unavailability of livelihood activities other than fishing and related activities etc are the main issues faced by the people of coastal areas. Women and children are usually bound to suffer the negatives of these issues. The increasing debts among the people in these areas, lack of education, skill training, addiction towards alcohol among the youth etc are also the issues existing in the coastal areas. Kudumbashree aims at solving these issues through 'Theerashree', thereby improve the quality of life of the people in the coastal areas.

Kudumbashree units excel at the Darjeeling Saras Fair held at Kanchanjungha Stadium, Siliguri, West Bengal from 22 January to 3 February 2020. Kudumbashree had bagged the title of Best Performing State in the 3rd Darjeeling Saras Fair 2020. Smt. Anitha Joshy and Smt, Smitha Shaji, Micro Enterprise Consultants from Idukki received the award for the Best Performing State. A total of four units of Kudumbashree took part in the 3rd Darjeeling Saras Fair 2020. The products of Kudumbahsree were of high demand among the Saras Fair.

2 Micro Enterprise Consultants represented the unit from Kozhikode, and Idukki. The unit from Idukki sold coffee powder and spices. One unit from Malappuram, and yet another unit from Ernakulam which makes Iron and tools also took part in the Saras Fair held at Darjeeling. The Cafe team of Kudumbashree had also bagged the prize for best performance at the Odisha Sisir Saras Fair. The event celebrated the rich cultural, ethnic, cuisine diversity of India and to exhibit India's richness of cultural diversity before world and thereby aims at promoting the tourism prospects of India.

An innovative idea was implemented under the leadership of Kudumbashree in the enterprise sector at the Payyanur Municipality of Kannur district of Kerala. The first women security team of NULM/ Kudumbashree was formed in Payyannur under the leadership of Kudumbashree CDS and Payyannur Municipality. It was on realizing that there exists many opportunities for women in this sector, that the team decided to implement this novel idea as part of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission NULM) programme under the leadership of Kudumbashree CDS. At first, as part of forming women security team, the Payyanur team invited applications from those candidates would be interested, if such job opportunities would be evolved. Kudumbashree women welcomed the concept wholeheartedly and a total of 50 applications were received expressing their willingness. Out of the 50 women who applied, 35 were selected and were given two days training. 28 of them were given special uniform and the team was setup. The initiative aims at providing security services in enterprise model. Women security team will be for hire, for surveillance, traffic control and security purposes at auditoriums, shops, marriage functions, trade fairs and other functions.

Within one week of the launch, the team received 3 notable opportunities. The team is all set to extend their services not only in Payyanur Municipality, but also for programmes which would be held all across Kannur district. They will work as security personnel for one or two days as per the need of the client. They are also willing to work as a regular women security personnel at any institutions during day time. The NULM team of Kudumbashree aims at commencing similar enterprises at urban areas where there’s opportunity. The initiative would be the part of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) programme. Kudumbashree Mission is the nodal agency for implementing the centrally designed programme, National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) in Kerala.

Tribal Cross Country was held at Attappady under the leadership of Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project. The event was conducted aiming at increasing the aptitude of the tribal community towards sports and for maintaining their physical fitness. 'Towards physical health educational empowerment' was the message of the Attappady Tribal Cross Country. The programme was organised by Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project -Kudumbashree in convergence with district administration, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP), Sports Council, Canara Bank and Perinthalmanna EMS Hospital. The marathon was flagged off by Shri, Arjun Pandyan, Sub Collector, Ottappalam. He had also participated in the Marathon.

229 men and 43 took part in the 10 km Cross Country held between Mattathukaad ITI and Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School, Agali. In the male category, Mahendran.M (36.43 minutes) came first, Vijay.M (40.19 minutes) came second and Varun Kumar ( 40.50 minutes) from Varun came in third place. In the female category, Swetha.D (1.01 hours) from Vandanpara of Attappady came in first place, Sindhu.N (1.03 hours) from Chemmanoor came in the second place and Selvi (1.07 hours)came in the third place. The first prize comprises of Cash Prize of Rs .7000 trophy and 2nd and 3rd prize comprise of cash prize of Rs 5000 and Rs 3000 respectively. The first 10 participants from the men and women category were also presented cash prize of Rs 1000 each and medals.

Smt. Jyothi Anil Kumar, Panchayath President,Puthoor Grama Panchayath, Shri. P. Saidalavi, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakakd District Mission, Smt. Sindhu. V, Project ,Manager, Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project, Smt. Vani Das, Project Officer, Integrated Tribal Development Programme, Shri. Ajesh. K.J, Secretary, DTPC and Shri. Sathyan.T, Principal,Govt. Vocational Higher secondary School, Agali also attended the function. The Cross Country was led by Shri. Sasi Kumar, National Football Referee and Shri, Sebastain.K.J, District Basketball Association.

Kudumbashree had created history by selling cloth bags worth Rs 60 lakhs. An average turn over of Rs 60,01,715 was recorded upto November 2019. A total of 456 cloth bag production units are functioning all across the state. As per the Government Order (G.O(MS) No.7/2019/Cir) plastic has been banned in Kerala starting from 1 January 2020. Kudumbashree is partnering in the fight against plastic and thereby make livelihood possible for women. Under the leadership of the respective District Mission Coordinators of Kudumbashree in the 14 districts of Kerala, Kudumbashree had already started making cloth bags regionally and had started conducting awareness programmes against plastic.

In short, along with fighting back against plastic, Kudumbashree is helping finding more livelihood opportunities for women. Various districts have devised various activities in fighting back against plastic and had even ventured into new activities to promote the use of cloth bags. The cloth bags produced by the districts are purchased by the governmental and non-governmental institutions. In many districts, activities are progressing in association with the respective district administration. A few units are getting regular orders for the cloth bags. The details of the cloth bag production units is available in the link : http://www.kudumbashree.org/pages/816