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Kochi National Saras Mela starts bringing Indian diversity under one roof

The National Saras Mela, which showcases Indian diversity was kicked off with a huge turnout at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, Ernakulam on 21 December 2023. Shri. M.B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department & Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the Saras Fair online. The Minister said that the role of Kudumbashree is crucial in empowering Kerala women's lives socially, economically and politically. The most important area of Kudumbashree is economic empowerment. Kudumbashree is implementing it through entrepreneurship- skills development. Kudumbashree is involved in economic empowerment in a wide way through 85,000 enterprises, 74,000 Joint Liability Groups and 14,000 groups working in the animal husbandry sector. He added.

Through Kudumbashree, the women community in Kerala has also been able to make entrepreneurship development possible. Saras Mela is lined up with women who have proved their proficiency in the field of entrepreneurship. Saras is the country's premier fair for women entrepreneurs. About 200 entrepreneurs from Kerala have been a part of Saras Mela. Out of the 250 exhibition stalls set up in association with Saras Mela, 90 stalls belong to other states. The minister said that Saras is envisioned as a fair where Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and products are introduced to the consumers and marketing opportunities are created for the entrepreneurs. The main attraction of the Saras Mela is the Indian Food Court. In all the last nine Saras Melas held in Kerala, the food court has attracted people the most. More than 300 cuisines in India are available under one roof. With 120 talented women chefs working in Kudumbashree's catering sector, Saras will serve dishes from within and outside Kerala. The Minister said. Saras comes up with the concept of 'India on a Plate' where all the dishes of India can be enjoyed in one bowl. He added.

Kudumbashree's food court was the main attraction of the Keraleeyam event, which had 30,000 to 40,000 visitors per day. Saras Mela is organized in collaboration with the State Government, local bodies and the National Rural Livelihood Mission. In the last 9 Saras Melas, Rs 85 crores were received through the sales of 2000 entrepreneurs. The Minister also said that the Saras Mela, which was received in the hearts of the entire Kerala, will be a great success in Ernakulam as well.

Presiding over the function online, Shri. P Rajeev, Minister, Industries Department, Government of Kerala said that Kudumbashree has been able to do great work in women's empowerment for a quarter of a century. The specialty of Saras Mela is that a variety of foods and products from all over India are available under one roof. More than 100 chefs, various art shows, food and various products are prepared for the customers. The Minister said that Saras Mela held in Ernakulam will be more festive.

A total of 250 stalls reflecting Indian cultures are set up at Saras Mela, which brings together the products of the country's rural entrepreneurs under one umbrella. Different stalls of handicrafts and handloom products are awaiting for the people at the fair, which starts from the 'Back to School' campaign model that has changed the face of Kudumbashree itself. Saras Mela showcases the variety of clothing from Indian states like Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Tripura, Telangana and Karnataka in Kochi of Kerala, the heart of fashion. Bamboo tools, sweets, jewellery, bags, handicrafts and other unique products of different states will be on display at the fair.

The display and marketing of different food products will enthrall the customers. The stalls of Kudumbashree's strong initiatives Gender Help Desk- Snehitha and Medical Help Desk- Santhwanam are the pride of the fair. The biggest feature of Saras Mela is that various cultures and unique products of the country come under one roof along with great market opportunities.

The National Saras Mela started at Kochi is becoming the Festival of Flavors serving the food diversity of India. It serves Dal Bathi Choorma from the royal family of Rajasthan to Momos from Thirunelly. 10 days and nights of Saras Mela at Kochi will be filled with flavors from various states. Different delicacies from various states of India and various districts of Kerala are awaiting the food lovers. Dal Bathi Choorma, a traditional Rajasthani dish that evokes curiosity as the name suggests, and Wayanad's own Thirunelly Momos alias 'TiMo', which is made with Jeerakashala rice have grabbed the attention of the fair on the very first day. The other attractions of the food fair is Maharashtra's Pooran Poly, Arunachal Pradesh's Beef Corn Soup, Attapady's own Vana Sundari, Alappuzha's Karimeen Pollichathu, Lakshadweep's Halwa, various types of Biryani and local delicacies.

More than 40 stalls are prepared to bring a variety of tastes to the customers. There are ten stalls from Uttarakhand, nine from Uttar Pradesh, eight from Karnataka, seven from Sikkim, six from Lakshadweep, five from Telangana, four from Arunachal Pradesh, three from Maharashtra and two from Andhra Pradesh. Unique flavors from Ernakulam, Wayanad, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Thalassery and Attappady are also available at the fair. Many people came to the food fair on the very first day to enjoy the live food tastings.

Adv. M . Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Corporation inaugurated Saras Mela's Product Stall. The Indian Food Court was inaugurated by Shri. T.J Vinod, MLA and the Theme Stall was inaugurated by Shri. K. Babu, MLA. Shri. P.V Sreenijin, MLA inaugurated the Saras tag line prize giving. Shri. K. J Maxi, MLA inaugurated the Saras logo prize giving and the Art Night was inaugurated by Shri. K Chandran Pillai, Chairman, Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). Shri. Loknath Behra, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, presented the Saras Theme Lyric Prize to the composer Shri. K.V Anil Kumar. Shri. N.S.K Umesh, District Collector, Ernakulam gave away the photography prizes.

Ms. Nikhila Vimal, Film star was the Chief Guest of the function. Shri. Ullas Thomas, President, District Panchayath, Ms. K. Meera, Sub Collector, Fort Kochi, Shri. Jafar Malik, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Ms. Rama Santosh, Chairperson, Thrippunithura Municipal Corporation, Ms. K. A Ansiya, Deputy Mayor, Kochi Corporation, Ms. TM Rejeena, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission, Shri. Basil Paul, Vice President, Kerala Block Panchayat President Association, Shri. P.R Reneesh, Chairman, Kochi Corporation Development Standing Committee, Ms. Sheeba Lal, Chairperson, Welfare Standing Committee, Shri. V. A Sreejith, Chairman, Education Standing Committee, Ms. Mary Mini, Ms. Latha Babu, Ms. Nabeesa Latheef, Kudumbashree CDS Chairpersons, Kudumbashree members also attended the function.

The Saras Mela will come to an end on 1 January 2024.

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Kochi National Saras Mela starts bringing Indian diversity under one roof

Kudumbashree's 'Sargam 2023' the Three Day State Level Literary Workshop for Kudumbashree NHG members starts at Thrissur

Kudumbashree's 'Sargam 2023' the Three Day State Level Literary Workshop for Kudumbashree NHG members jointly organized by Kudumbashree, KILA and Kerala Sahitya Academy has started at KILA, Mulagunnathukavu, Thrissur on 11 December 2023. Shri. K Satchidanandan, President, Kerala Sahitya Academy officially inaugurated the camp. Literary empowerment gives women more visibility in society. Satchidanandan said. He clarified that the ultimate duty of literature is to make the friendship of justice and righteousness possible and women can do that through literary workshops like Sargam. He added.

Ms. Bindu K.S. Director, Kudumbashree presided over the function. Dr Joy Elamon, Director General, KILA, Shri. V. R Santhosh, Deputy Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department delivered their felicitations. Shri. Nafih Muhammed, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Dr. Kavitha A, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission delivered the vote of thanks. The Sargam 2023 Literary Workshop envisages to help Kudumbashree women who want to shine in the field of literature to interact with prominent writers and get acquainted with the new techniques of the writing world. The participants of the Sargam State Level Story Competition organized for Kudumbashree NHG members are the participants of the workshop.

Various Sessions on the First Day

1. Way of Writing (Shihabuddin Poythumkadavu)

2. Good Story is not Impossible (Vaisakhan, Sithara S, Ashokan Cheruvil)

3. New Literature, New Language (M.M Narayanan)

4. New Age Poetry (D Anil Kumar, Ashokan Marayoor, Ramya Balakrishnan)

5. The Chemistry of Writing and Reading (N. Rajan , Anu Pappachan)

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Kudumbashree's 'Sargam 2023' the Three Day State Level Literary Workshop for Kudumbashree NHG members starts at Thrissur

Kudumbashree records a sales of Rs 47.05 lakhs at IITF held in Delhi

Quality products produced by NHG members who are part of Kerala's own Kudumbashree have once again captured the hearts of the people of Delhi. Kudumbashree has achieved a turnover of Rs 47,05,041 from the India International Trade Fair (IITF) organized at Pragati Maidan, Delhi from 14 to 27 November 2023 under the auspices of the Union Ministry of Rural Development and India Trade Promotion Organization.

Kudumbashree was able to get this turnover only from two commercial stalls in the Kerala Pavilion, two stalls in the food court, five stalls in the Ajeevika Saras Mela held in conjunction with the International Trade Fair. i.e., from a total of 9 stalls. The turnover from the stalls in the Kerala Pavilion was Rs 10.70 lakhs and from the stalls in the food court was Rs 13.67 lakhs and from the five stalls at the Ajeevika Mela was Rs 22.66 lakhs.

Kudumbashree products selected from various districts were marketed at the commercial stall. The Kudumbashree units from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode districts brought the taste of Kerala to Delhi through the food court. Kudumbashree had set up stalls from Attappady, Palakkad, Idukki, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram as part of the Ajeevika Saras Mela in Delhi. Kudumbashree also won the Second Best Exhibitor Award in the Theme Area Kerala Pavilion.

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Kudumbashree records a sales of Rs 47.05 lakhs at IITF held in Delhi

Kudumbashree invites applications for Kudumbashree-The Urban Learning Internship Programme- DAY NULM

Kudumbashree is inviting applications for Kudumbashree-The Urban Learning Internship Programme as part of the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) Programme being implemented by Kudumbashree in Kerala.

The internship will be conducted at the state mission level and 93 Urban Local Bodies. At the Kudumbashree State Mission Office, three interns will be appointed for 3 months, and in Urban Local Bodies, one intern each will be appointed for 2 months. Candidates selected for the internship will be entitled to a certificate issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and stipend of Rs. 8000 per month. Priority will be given for Kudumbashree Auxiliary Group Members.

The last date for applying for the internship is 08 December 2023. For more details, visit Kudumbashree website https://www.kudumbashree.org/internship

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Kudumbashree invites applications for Kudumbashree-The Urban Learning Internship Programme- DAY NULMen

Kudumbashree's 'Back to school' Campaign a big hit; More than 30 lakh women participated in the training

More than 30 lakh neighborhood group members have participated in Kudumbashree's 'Thirike School' campaign, which has created new movements in the field of women's empowerment. A total of 30,21,317 people participated on different days. Out of 3,14,557 NHGs across the state, 2,97,559 NHGs have already participated in the campaign.

According to the figures till 26 November 2023, Thiruvananthapuram district had the highest number of participants. 3,33,968 women participated in the training in Thiruvananthapuram district on various dates. Palakkad (3,28, 350) and Malappuram (3,17,899) districts came in the second and third positions respectively. Wayanad district which has only 27 CDSs has 99.25 % NHG participation. Out of the total 1,24,647 NHG members in Wayanad, 1,04,277 participated in the campaign. Kasaragod district which has only 42 CDSs also has better participation. Out of the total 1,80,789 NHG members 1,29,476 participated in the campaign.

The aim is to provide training to 46 lakh women in the NHG network by involving the remaining 16 lakh members by 10 December 2023. As part of this, all the participants who are yet to participate in the campaign from each CDS will be made part of the campaign during the next four holidays. For this, State-District-CDS level activities have been intensified.

'Back to School' is the campaign launched with the aim of empowering the Kudumbashree organizational system, by providing training to 46 lakh Kudumbashree members in the state. Training is conducted on holidays in selected schools. As per the current decision, the campaign will come to an end on 10 December 2023.

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Kudumbashree's 'Back to school' Campaign a big hit; More than 30 lakh women participated in the training

Rs 33.6 Crore Subsidy for Kudumbashree Janakeeya Hotels; 5043 entrepreneurs of 1198Janakeeya Hotels benefitted

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.

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Rs 33.6 Crore Subsidy for Kudumbashree Janakeeya Hotels; 5043 entrepreneurs of 1198Janakeeya Hotels benefitted

'Inno Explosive' Entrepreneurial Idea Competition organized as part of Saras Mela Ernakulam

'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 Coordinator, Kudumbashree Mission, Civil Station, 2nd Floor, Kakkanad, Ernakulam 682030.

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'Inno Explosive' Entrepreneurial Idea Competition organized as part of Saras Mela Ernakulamd

Auxomeet @ 23 to be held for Auxiliary Groups; Organized Training for Trainers

'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 Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission presided over the function and Shri. Nishad C.C, State Program Manager, Kudumbashree State Mission presented the topic. Shri. Vipin Wilfred, 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.

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Auxomeet @ 23 to be held for Auxiliary Groups; Organized Training for Trainersd

India International Trade Fair starts in Delhi, Kudumbashree products gets great response

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.

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India International Trade Fair starts in Delhi, Kudumbashree products gets great responseen

Jal Diwali - About thousand Kudumbashree women visited Water Treatment Plants

Jal Diwali campaign was organized in the state under the joint auspices of National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) implemented by Kudumbashree in Kerala and AMRUT Mission. 938 Kudumbashree members participated in the campaign organized from 7-9 November 2023 with the tagline 'Women for Water, Water for Women'. As part of the Campaign, Kudumbashree NHG members including CDS office bearers from 18 Urban Local Bodies visited 36 Water Treatment Plants in the state.

The visit was also accompanied by an opportunity to study the operations of the water treatment plant for the women of NHGs. AMRUT officials briefed the Kudumbashree members about the Water Treatment Plant's operations and water testing. There was also an opportunity to see and understand first-hand the operations of the Water Treatment Plant and water testing in the attached lab. People's representatives, National Urban Livelihood Mission officials and AMRUT Mission officials were also part of the visit.

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Jal Diwali - About thousand Kudumbashree women visited Water Treatment Plantsen