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'Amrutham Nutrimix' bags Glenmark Nutrition Award

'Amrutham Nutrimix' of Kudumbashree has bagged the Glenmark Nutrition Award for 2022. The Glenmark Nutrition Award is organized in partnership with the World Food Programme of United Nations. The award is given for taking up and implementing programmes and activities for undertaking exceptional efforts through their health initiatives or programs to reduce the impact of malnutrition in society irrespective of rural and urban areas.

Kudumbashree has succeeded in producing and distributing the 'Amrutham Nutrimix', the nutrition food which is being given to the children of 6 months to 3 years of age, at the Anganawadis in the state. By effectively implementing the same, Kudumbashree was able to ensure best nutrition for more than 5 lakh children in the state. This International Award was given to Kudumbashree for the same. The Award includes cash award of Rs 1 lakh and certificate.

A total of 241 units under Kudumbashree are producing and distributing 'Amrutham Nutrimix'. There is a production of 18000 metric ton every year. Fortification for increasing the nutrition value of the Nutrimix and the Grading to increase the performance and efficiency of the units was also done. This programme is being implemented in Kerala through Kudumbashree as per the 'Take Home Ration Strategy' (THRS) of the Central Government, associating with the Women and Child Development Department, Local Self Government Department and the Food Corporation of India. Mr. Sheryl Pinto, Director, Glenmark Pharmaceutical and Glenmark Foundation announced the award at the 'RISE World Summit 2022', which was held online on 5 February 2022.

The objective of the Award is to support institutions and organizations who have worked on the lines of Innovation, Impact, Inspiration and Collaboration in improving the dietary diversity among women and children, adolescent girls and vulnerable groups from the communities, using innovative strategies for implementation and adoption. The Awards were given in three categories viz., Urban NGOs, Rural NGOs and Open Category. Kudumbashree has bagged the Award in the Open Category. The production and distribution of Amrutham Nutrimix was ensured under the leadership of Kudumbashree amidst the covid lockdown periods without any fail.

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Amrutham Nutrimix bags Glenmark Nutrition Awarden

Sales of Rs 2 crores recorded from the 'Karuthal Campaign'

Sales of Rs 2 crores was recorded from the 'Karuthal' campaign which was launched by Kudumbashree to support the Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and Joint Liability Groups (JLG) who were in crisis due to the spread of covid-19 pandemic.

Kudumbashree started the Karuthal Campaign from 2020-21 financial year onwards to encourage entrepreneurs and JLG members (farming group members), to rejuvenate the enterprises that had faced issues and to arrange more marketing opportunities. In short, the activity of taking the products of entrepreneurs and JLGs in the form of kits is called 'Karuthal Campaign'.

The 'Karuthal Campaign' of 2021-22 financial year which was started during last November is also getting completed now. The campaign was not conducted at Pathanamthitta, Wayanad and Kannur districts. Kudumbashree was able to make a sales of Rs 2,20,59,650 from the rest of the districts, through this campaign, until now. 65,354 kits were also distributed. The activities as part of the campaign is progressing in some areas.

The District Missions collect the price list of the products from the entrepreneurs in their respective districts. This information is then passed to the CDSs. The CDSs would enquire about the number of kits each NHGs would need and prepare a requirement list and hand it over to the District Mission. Based on this requirement, District Missions collect the products from entrepreneurs, arrange them in kits and bring the same to the CDSs. Whereas, the vegetable kits for distribution ard prepared by the CDSs themselves.

The CDSs deliver these kits to the NHGs as per the requirement. Each NHG would pay the amount of the total kits they bought, from their internal savings to the CDSs. Whereas, the NHG members would pay the amount of the kits at NHGs within a maximum of 20 installments.

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Sales of Rs 2 crores recorded from the 'Karuthal Campaign'en

Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' progressing with Auxiliary Group Trainings, Poster Campaigns and Reels Videos

Various activities as part of 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam', the state level awareness programme being organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree against dowry and atrocities against women is progressing. Through this activity, Kudumbashree aim at giving awareness to the society about the atrocities women are facing and thereby to bring in a mind shift among the general public about dowry and atrocities against women.

Efforts are ongoing to take these awareness activities to all sectors of the society through Auxiliary Groups, the three tier system of Kudumbashree that includes NHGs, ADSs and CDSs, Youth Organizations, local-social-political parties etc. This includes the first phase of the training focusing on Auxiliary Groups, Poster Campaigns and Publicity through Reel Videos.

The Training Programmes in the Auxiliary Groups are being organized as per the three specially prepared modules (Dowry and Atrocities, Gender & Sex, Laws in the Service Sector). The discussion on the first module have already been held at 9000 Auxiliary Groups in the state. The Poster Campaign had already been completed at 815 CDSs. Everyone is actively participating in the Social Media Publicity using techniques such as Reels. Three people each from every district have been extended training for the Cultural Procession as part of the programme.

Programmes such as Two Wheeler Vehicle Rallies, Webinar, Wall Painting Campaign, Publicity through Short Films, Signature Campaign, Opinion Survey etc would be held as part of the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Awareness Programme

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Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' progressing with Auxiliary Group Trainings, Poster Campaigns and Reels Videosen

Kudumbashree CDS Elections successfully completed at 6 districts as per the Covid Restrictions

As per the new covid restrictions came into being in the state, the CDS elections were held at selected districts viz., Kollam, Kottayam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod as per the covid restrictions, on 25 January 2022. The newly selected CDS Committee took over the charge in the districts on 26 January 2022 where the elections were held. The CDS Elections in the remaining 8 districts would be completed once the covid situations in the respective districts would improve. Earlier, Kudumbashree ADS Election in the state had been successfully completed maintaining the covid protocols.

The CDS Elections in the selected districts were held following the covid protocols. The Executive Director of Kudumbashree had issued the guidelines regarding the same on 15 January 2022. Earlier, the Government of Kerala had given approval to conduct the elections to the three tier system to identify the new office bearers, following the covid protocols.

The elections were conducted at open spaces and at halls that had sufficient air circulation. It was also ensured that the social distancing was maintained at the areas where the elections were conducted. All General Body members wore N95 masks or double surgical masks during the elections. It was also ensured that sanitizers were used during regular intervals. Also, sanitizers were made available at the areas where the elections were held & necessary arrangements were made for washing the hands with soap and water.

To avoid crowds at the CDS elections, ADS office bearers from 5 wards each attended the elections at a time and they selected the CDS Office Bearers. For this, special time slots were given to each ward. Covid protocol was also ensured at the NHG level elections and the ADS Elections which were held across the state during 7-13 January 2022 and 16-21 January 2022, respectively.

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Kudumbashree CDS Elections successfully completed at 6 districts as per the Covid Restrictions

Kudumbashree ADS-CDS Elections will be held following Covid Protocols: Executive Director issues Guidelines

Kudumbashree ADS-CDS Elections will be held following the covid protocols. The Executive Director of Kudumbashree has issued the guidelines regarding the same on 15 January 2022. The ADS elections are now being held following the covid protocols, Also, the CDS elections that is proposed to be held on 25 January 2022 across the state would be conducted following the covid protocols. Earlier, the Government of Kerala had given approval to conduct the elections to the three tier system to identify the new office bearers, following the covid protocols.

The Executive Director had issued the special guidelines regarding the elections, as the covid cases are rising in the state. As per this, the covid positive ADS, CDS, General Body members may get the help of a representative from their respective NHGs to cast their votes. They may submit an affidavit entrusting a representative to cast their votes to the respective Polling Officer through WhatsApp or mail. During the time of election, the representative may call the covid positive member in the presence of the Polling Officer and ensure to whom their vote goes to. If the covid affected member wishes to contest in the election, that should be specially noted in the affidavit.

The election should be conducted either in a hall that has sufficient air circulation or at an open space. It should be ensured that the social distancing is maintained at the areas where the elections are being conducted. All General Body members should wear N95 mask or double surgical masks. Sanitizer should be used during regular intervals. The sanitizers should be made available at the areas where the elections are being held or necessary arrangements should be made for washing the hands with soap and water. To avoid crowds at the CDS elections, ADS office bearers from 5 wards each would attend the elections at a time and they would select the CDS Office Bearers. For this, special time slots has been given to each ward. Covid protocol was ensured at the NHG level elections held across the state during 7-13 January 2022.

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Kudumbashree ADS-CDS Elections will be held following Covid Protocols: Executive Director issues Guidelines

LSGD Minister visits the Training Camp of Sthreesakthi Cultural Procession

Shri. M. V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department & Excise, Government of Kerala visited the training camp of Sthreesakthi Cultural Procession which is being held at Agricultural Co-operative Staff Training Institute, Manvila, Thiruvananthapuram on 10 January 2022. He visited the training camp and had interacted with the Kudumbashree members who are taking part in the training camp, which is being conducted as part of 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam', the State Level Awareness Programme being organized in Kerala under the leadership of Kudumbashree against dowry system and the atrocities against women. "Women should be equipped to be defensive and the sense of democracy and fundamental rights should be taken to everyone in the society", the minister said.

"To create equality among the society, each and everyone in the society should have a women centric point of view. Through the drama, we would be able to communicate the idea to the audience and thereby transfer it to the society and it would turn out into a physical force". He added. He also said that theatre is the most influential art form that is capable of bringing in changes among the public. He interacted with the women artists taking part in the camp and the resource persons who train them and had also conveyed his wishes to them.

As part of the awareness programme being implemented under the leadership of Kudumbashree against dowry system and the atrocities against women, a cultural procession would be conducted all across the state during February 2022. For this, groups comprising of 10 members each from 'Rangashree' the theatre group of Kudumbashree, of every districts has already been formed. The training is now being extended to the teams who would train them. They would be given 6 days training. The training is being extended under the leadership of Shri. Rafeeq Mangalasserry, Smt. Sreeja Arangottukara, Smt. Shylaja Ambu, and Shri. Sudhi, theatre experts. A total of 140 artists would become part of the 'Sthreesakthi' Cultural Procession.

Smt. Myna Umaiban, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree presided over the function. Shri. B. S Manoj, Programme Officer, welcomed the gathering and Smt. Sindhu, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree extended vote of thanks.

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LSGD Minister visits the Training Camp of Sthreesakthi Cultural Procession

Training Camp of Kudumbashree's Sthreesakthi Cultural Procession begins

The training camp of the Sthreesakthi Cultural Procession had began at Agricultural Co-operative Staff Training Institute, Manvila, Thiruvananthapuram on 10 January 2022. Shri, Shaji. N. Karun, Renowned Director and Chairman of Kerala State Film Development Corporation, inaugurated the training camp being organized as part of 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam', the State Level Awareness Programme being organized in Kerala under the leadership of Kudumbashree against dowry system and the atrocities against women. "The society would move forward when men and women work together", said Shaji M Karun.

"During the period of digital media, the gap between men and women in the employment sector has decreased. We were able to attain the growth, people had achieved through lakhs of years, within the last twenty years. Humans have created culture. The women who are participating in the training programme of the cultural procession are those who showed up to share the knowledge and dreams they have acquired as part of this, to the next generation." He added.

The Cultural Procession as part of the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam Campaign' which is proposed to be held all across the state in February would include two music programmes and one short play and the training would be held for 6 days for the same. Previously, a Script Workshop had been organized in connection with the Cultural Procession. Based on that, the short play and the music programmes are formulated based on the topics such as dowry system, atrocities against women and women empowerment. The training is being extended under the leadership of Shri. Rafeeq Mangalasserry, Smt. Sreeja Arangottukara, Smt. Shylaja Ambu, Shri. Sudhi, theatre experts.

Women from 12 districts other than Wayanad and Malappuram are taking part in the training programme. 36 women (three women each from the districts) are actively participating in the training programme. Later, they would train the 10 member group specially formed in their respective districts for the cultural procession. As per this, 140 women, representing all the districts would become part of the 'Sthreesakthi' Cultural Procession. They would be presenting the programmes all across the state during February.

Smt. Myna Umaiban, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree presided over the function. Smt. Sindhu, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Smt. Biji. M, representative of 'Rangashree' the theatre group of Kudumbashree members extended vote of thanks. Shri. B. S Manoj, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Smt. Preetha G Nair, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Smt. Sujitha, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree and various Resource Persons took part in the programme.

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Training Camp of Sthreesakthi Cultural Procession begins

'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Campaign- Training for more than 3 lakh Auxiliary Group members

Training Programme is being organized for the Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group members in connection with the 'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Gender Campaign which is being implemented in Kerala through Kudumbashree, against the dowry system and the atrocities against women. The training would be extended to more than 3 lakh members of 19,500 Auxiliary Groups.

Through this training, it is envisaged to discuss the issues faced by the women in the society and make realize the reasons for the same. Three important training modules have specially been prepared for the same. The district level trainers include Community Counsellors, Gender Resource Persons and Vigilant Group Members. One person would be in charge of one CDS. The ideas evolved from the group discussions would be compiled and the group representatives would make presentation on the same. The facilitators who hold the charge of the training would mark the positive and negative opinions. After the general discussions, the same would be compiled and the Resource Persons would present it.

The training would last for three months. One module would be discussed a day. As the first phase of the training programme, discussions were organized on the topic 'Dowry & Atrocities' at all Auxiliary Groups in the state. It is planned to make necessary interventions to bring in a mind shift of the among the society and the general public, against dowry and the atrocities against women, based on the ideas evolved from among the discussions.

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'Sthreepaksha Navakeralam' Campaign- Training for more than 3 lakh Auxiliary Group membersen

Kudumbashree Election starts

Kudumbashree election to identify the new office bearers for Kudumbashree three tier system, thereby to give a new face to Kudumbashree was started on 7 January 2022. The election process to the three Tier System has now commenced with the NHG (Neighborhood Group) level elections which was started from 7 January onwards. The respective Presiding Officers had identified the eligible NHGs for the elections and the 5 member office bearers, including the President and Secretary of the NHGs would be found through the NHG level elections which would be held till 13 January 2022.

The Kudumbashree elections would be held under the leadership of the respective District Collectors. One Presiding Officer and one Assistant Presiding Officer would oversee the elections in the Local Self Government Institution level.The time period of the current office bearers had come to an end on 26 January 2021. But due to the crisis of covid-19 pandemic, the time period of the current office bearers were extended upto the elections.

The elections to the ADS (Area Development Society), the ward level organizational system of Kudumbashree would be held from 16-21 January 2022. The 11 member office bearers for every ADS would be selected during this period. The elections would be held to 19,489 ADSs. The office bearers to 1069 CDSs (Community Development Society- the Kudumbashree organizational system of Kudumbashree) would be identified through the elections proposed to be held on 25 January 2022. The activities are planned and arranged in such a way that, the new office bearers would take charge on 26 January 2022.

The elections to identify the office bearers of the 729 NHGs, 133 Oorusamithis and 4 Panchayath Samithis of the three tier system which was formed as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project would also be held along with this. Kudumbashree team members and the concerned are making relentless efforts for many weeks to complete the election process without any flaws.

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Kudumbashree Election startsen

Kudumbashree Pink cafes which serve indigenous cuisine at affordable rates to be extended to more districts

Kudumbashree Pink Cafes which serve indigenous cuisine at affordable rates would be extended to more districts in Kerala, soon. Pink Cafe was launched in November 2020 at Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. The concept behind 'Pink Cafe' was starting Kudumbashree's Branded Restaurants that serve indigenous cuisine including steam cooked snacks at affordable rates. Kudumbashree launched the 'Pink Cafes' focusing on this concept during November 2020 and now, these Pink Cafes have got wide acceptance among the general public. On the grounds of this acceptance, Kudumbashree was able to extend the formation activities of the Pink Cafes to more districts.

The formation of Pink Cafes was started in such a way that the branded restaurants were opened in old KSRTC buses designed in fixed models. Kudumbashree started the first Pink Café at East Fort of Thiruvananthapuram district. KSRTC provided the bus at fixed charge and converted the same into a restaurant model. Kudumbashree arranged the interior design and the basic amenities. Along with the indigenous cuisine, other vegetarian, non-vegetarian cuisines are prepared and are served through the café. The entrepreneurs of this café were able to make sales of around Rs 22,000 per day before the second lockdown. In addition to the Pink Café at Thiruvananthapuram, Kudumbashree was able to start Pink Cafes at Kottayam, Idukki and Kozhikode districts. Recently, Pink Café was started in Kollam district on 19 December 2021. 'Pink Cafes' are started as kiosks in fixed models at main locations where the KSRTC buses weren't available. A Pink Café is run by a unit that includes five members. Therefore, through a Pink Café, it is able to bring income to five families.

The details of the location where the Pink Cafes function in the districts are given below:
1. Thiruvananthapuram Pink Café- East fort KSRTC Depot
2. Kollam-KSRTC Bus Stand Depot Garage
3. Kottayam-Medical College Hospital
4. Idukki-Pallivasal Panchayath Randam Mile
5. Kozhikode- Kayanna Family Health Centre

Pink Cafes are one of the efforts of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs to overcome the crisis caused by covid-19 pandemic.Pink Café Entrepreneurs and Kudumbashree Team members are making relentless efforts to extend the activities of Pink Cafes to more districts. It is expected that the public would wholeheartedly welcome and support Pink Cafes like they do for the Kudumbashree enterprises.

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Kudumbashree Pink cafes which serve indigenous cuisine at affordable rates to be extended to more districtsen