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National Urban Livelihood Mission Award-Kerala makes a rare achievement through Kudumbashree for the fifth year in a row

Kudumbashree has bagged the National Urban Livelihood Mission Award for Kerala for the fifth consecutive year in the SPARK Ranking of the states which implement Kudumbashree Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY- NULM). Through this Kerala has made a rare achievement through Kudumbashree for the fifth year in a row. Kerala has bagged the second position in the 2021-22 SPARK (Systematic Progressive Analytical Real Time Ranking) Ranking instituted by the Union Ministry of Urban Affairs. With this, Kerala has also made the rare achievement of being the only state to win the award every year by placing in the top three in this ranking. Kudumbashree is the nodal agency of the project in the state.

The award amount is Rs 15 crores. This amount will be utilized for the expansion of project activities. The NULM scheme is being implemented in the urban areas of 29 States and 8 Union Territories in the country. Kerala is recognized for excelling in this at the national level. Andhra Pradesh came in the first position and Tamil Nadu came in the third position.

The performance and progress under each sub-component for the financial year 2021-22 as per the general criteria laid down by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for timely completion of the objectives and activities of the NULM scheme was considered for the award.

The details of various activities such as NHG formation, training provided in self-employment and wage-based employment, employment provision, timely fund utilization, submission of fund utilization certificate, audit completion, revolving fund. linkage loan, self-employment loan disbursed under the scheme etc. and their progress various activities will be collected through the Management Information System (MIS) of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The award is given after considering this. Last year, Kerala came first in the SPARK Ranking for the excellence of the project activities implemented in the state through Kudumbashree.

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National Urban Livelihood Mission Award-Kerala makes a rare achievement through Kudumbashree for the fifth year in a row

President of India inaugurates 'Rachna', the programme to write contemporary stories of women in Kerala

Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Hon. President of India inaugurated 'Rachna', the programme to write contemporary stories of women in Kerala who became part of Kudumbashree since its inception, during the grand function held at Uday Palace Convention Centre, Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram, organized by the Government of Kerala on 17 March 2023. The President unveiled the logo of 'Rachna' which is a 'festival of history writing' of 25 successful years of Kudumbashree. The President addressed Kudumbashree on the milestone of completing twenty-five years in the field of women's empowerment and poverty eradication.

The history of Kudumbashree is being documented through this programme called 'Rachana', which brings together more than five lakh women who are CDS members from the beginning of Kudumbashree. Kudumbashree's quarter-century history is being written by people who found their own place in the society and became self-sufficient due to the strength of Kudumbashree. The writing can also be described as 'history written by women for women'.

The Honorable President inaugurated the 'Rachna' at the State Government's civic reception for the President who came to Kerala for the first time after assuming office. The President said that women in Kerala are more educated and empowered and this is reflected in Kerala's good performance in human development indices. The President also pointed out that 'Kudumbashree' has become one of the largest women's self-help networks in the world in keeping up with the great tradition of women empowerment in Kerala.

As part of Kudumbashree's 25th anniversary celebrations, the books 'Chuvadu' on how Kudumbashree's tomorrow should be, the compilation of the ideas and achievements that emerged as part of the 'Chuvad' NHG Gathering organized on 26 January 2023 in three lakh NHGs and 'Kudumbashree @25' containing the experiences of 53 selected people about the changes in their lives through Kudumbashree were received by the the Honorable President from Shri. Arif Muhammed Khan, the Honorable Governor of Kerala.

Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala presented the gift of the State Government to the President. As a gift from Kudumbashree, the portrait of the President painted by Master Aju of BUDS School, Wayanad was presented to the President by Shri. MB Rajesh, Minister of Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala and Smt. Arya Rajendran, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation presented the gift of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

The President also inaugurated the 'Unnathi', the scheme for the comprehensive development of the Scheduled Tribes and also released the Technical Engineering, Diploma books translated to Malayalam. Shri. A. N. Shamseer, Speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly, Shri. K. Radhakrishnan, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes and Devaswoms, Government of Kerala, Shri. V. D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition, Shri V. K Prasanth, MLA, Dr. V.P Joy IAS, Chief Secretary of Kerala, Dr. Saji Gopinath, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Digital University also participated in the function.

In the afternoon session, a panel discussion was organized by Kudumbashree on the topic "Role of Women's Associations in Local Economic Development". Following that there was a musical concert performed by prominent playback singer Smt. Gayathri Ashok.

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President of India inaugurates 'Rachna', the programme to write contemporary stories of women in Kerala

Kudumbashree launches Micro Enterprise Resource Centres

Kudumbashree has launched Micro Enterprise Resource Centre (MERC) to strengthen the entrepreneurship development activities. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the first of its kind Micro Enterprise Resource Centre at Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram on 13 March 2023. The Minister said that the Micro Enterprise Resource Centres started under the leadership of Kudumbashree will strengthen the entrepreneurship development activities.

The Minister said that MERCs will function as Employability Centres at the block level as per the guidelines related to Local Economic Development. Kudumbashree aims to strengthen the livelihood sector to ensure sustainable employment and income for women. Micro Enterprise Resource Centres started at block level will be the best mechanism to grow enterprises. He also clarified that through this, various supports needed to start the enterprise will be available along with finding the real beneficiaries.

Shri. G.R. Anil, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Kerala said in the presiding speech that Micro Enterprise Resource Centres will help women to get knowledge and skills to enter diverse career fields using new information technologies in the modern world. He also released the logo prepared as part of the project.

MERCs also started functioning in Idukki, Kottayam and Kasaragod districts from 13 March 2023. By 31 March 2023, MERC will start operations in all the remaining nine districts except Wayanad. Shri. Jafar Malik, Executive Director, Kudumbashree stated in the project explanation that the aim is to expand the project to 30 blocks in the next financial year.

Ms. Sreeja C.S, Chairperson, Nedumangad Municipality welcomed the gathering. Shri. D.K. Murali, MLA and Shri. G. Stephen MLA were the chief guests of the programme. Ms. V. Ambili, President, Nedumangad Block Panchayath, Ms. Lekha Rani. U, President, Karakulam Grama Panchayath, Ms. R. Kala, President, Aruvikkara Grama Panchayath, Ms. Beena Jayan S, Ms. Shailaja, Ms. Mini. S, Presidents, Grama Panchayath, Ms. Sunitha, Chairperson, Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayath Standing Committee, Shri. B. Satheesan, Chairman, Nedumangad Municipality Welfare Affairs Standing Committee, Shri. K.V. Sreekanth, Member, District Panchayath, Ms. Sindhu Krishna Kumar, Councilor, Nedumangad Municipality, Shri. Sreekanth A.S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree and Ms. Seenath, Chairperson, MERC also participated in the programme. Dr. B. Najeeb, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram delivered the vote of thanks.

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Kudumbashree launches Micro Enterprise Resource Centresen

Symposium on Digital Marketing & Launch of Kudumbashree Products at ONDC held

Symposium on Digital Marketing & Launch of Kudumbashree Products at ONDC was held at Symphony Hall, Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram on 2 March 2023. Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister of Local Self-Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala officially inaugurated the project to make household products available on ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) digital platform. The minister inaugurated the project by ordering and buying millet powder online. This project is a part of the 100-Day Action Programme of the Government. The Minister said that Kudumbashree aims to make 700 products available on the ONDC platform in the next financial year and this start is a milestone.

Shri. V.K. Prasanth, MLA presided over the function. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Shri. V.P Joy IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala delivered the keynote address. Shri. Sreekanth A.S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks. Shri. Nithin Nair, Vice President, ONDC and Shri. Dileep Vamanan, Director, Cellmetric Pvt Ltd was also present at the function. A symposium was also organized on Digital marketing for selected entrepreneurs from the districts in connection with the inaugural programme of the launch of Kudumbashree products on the ONDC platform.

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Symposium on Digital Marketing & Launch of Kudumbashree Products at ONDC held

Chalanam 2023'-Training for Urban CDS Sub-Committee Conveners: Training of two batches completed

'Chalanam 2023', the training for Urban CDS Sub-Committee Conveners is ongoing and the training of two batches have been completed. Training will be given for a total of five batches for four days for each batch. The objective is to empower the sub-committee conveners to intensify the activities of various livelihood schemes and social welfare schemes implemented in urban areas by Kudumbashree. The training for the conveners of the sub-committee on social development and infrastructure development was completed yesterday on 22 February 2023.

The 'Chalanam 2023' training programme was launched on 14 February 2023 with the aim of strengthening the Kudumbashree project activities in urban CDSs and making the benefits of the projects available to every NHG family member. The sub-committee conveners are active participants in the development activities of urban CDSs by intervening on thematic basis in the matters of social development, infrastructural development, ward council, employment security, micro finance livelihood, etc. The aim is to enable them to work together with the CDS and the Urban Local Body. As part of this, a total of 645 people will be trained, 129 people in each batch.

The training programme consisted of detailed classes on Kudumbashree schemes and question and answer session for clearing the doubts regarding. Detailed training will also be provided on the relevance and importance of sub-committees, various funds available to Kudumbashree and own activities of CDS. In addition to classroom training, outdoor training is also provided to all the trainees in collaboration with the District Tourism Promotion Council. The training is conducted under the leadership of State Programme Managers who manage various projects in Kudumbashree State Mission, City Mission Managers and Kudumbashree Core Training Team members. Shri. N. Jagajeevan, Executive Director, Grameena Patana Kendram, Shri. Sajith Sukumaran, Chief Operating Officer, Kudumbashree National Resource Organization, Shri. A. Jahamgeer, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree and Shri. P. Kesavan Nair, Former Programme Officer presented various topics in the training programme.

The third batch of training for Livelihood Sub-Committee Conveners will be organized from 6 to 9 March 2023. The fourth batch of training for Ward Sabha and Employment Sub-Committee Conveners will be organized from 11 to 14 March 2023. The training for Micro Finance Sub-Committee Conveners from 16 to 19 March 2023.

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Chalanam 2023'-Training for Urban CDS Sub-Committee Conveners: Training of two batches completed

Kudumbashree women from Thrissur produces 128 tonnes of vegetables through 'Polima Puthukkad' Programme

Kudumbashree women from Thrissur produced 128 tonnes of vegetables through the 'Polima Puthukkad' Programme of Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission. Shri. P. Prasad, Minister for Agriculture, Government of Kerala inaugurated the second phase of the cultivation of the 'Polima Puthukkad' Programme, which is progressing with the goal of producing green and safe vegetables, at Kaithavalappil Garden, Nandikkara, Thrissur on 17 February 2023.

Puthukkad constituency has achieved success by implementing the idea of the state government to develop and implement plans to achieve self-sufficiency in the field of food production through the innovative project called 'Polima Puthukkad'. 40,000 Kudumbashree women who are members of 2411 NHGs in eight panchayats of the constituency cultivated 128 tonnes of vegetables in 126 hectares of land!

Shri. K.K Ramachandran, MLA, Puthukkad Constituency, presided over the function. Awards were distributed to the NHGs who had performed well at the panchayat level and the constituency level in the first phase. The Nanma NHG of Mattathur Gram Panchayath, which cultivated in a land of an acre and 40 cents, came first in the constituency level. Soundarya NHG of Vallachira and Friendship NHG of Nenmanikkara bagged the second and third positions.

The NHGs that won Awards in the CDS level includes

1. Puthukkad (Vijayashree, Shreyas, Tulasi)

2. Alagappanagar (Devi, Jeeva, Devishree)
3. Mattathur (Nanma, Puthuma, Kairali)
4. Nenmanikkara (Sauhrudha, Pratheeksha, Aishwarya)
5. Thrikoor (Udaya, Shanti, Angel Rose)
6. Varantharapilly (Sneha, Anashwara, Sneha)
7. Vallachira (Soundarya, Thalir, Rupashree)
8. Parappukkara (Sreelakshmi, Navodaya, Bhagyashree).

The project is being implemented through the effective convergence of local bodies, Kudumbashree, Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Institutions and Employment Guarantee Scheme. Kudumbashree's Agri Nutri Garden scheme also provided assistance to the members. The first phase was started on 24 October 2022. The main objectives of Polima are food security, making barren land cultivable, increasing interest in agriculture, terrace cultivation etc. The Representatives of Three-tier Panchayath, Co-operative Bank Presidents, Kudumbashree officials, representatives of other departments and NHG members participated in the function.

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Kudumbashree women from Thrissur produces 128 tonnes of vegetables through 'Polima Puthukkad' ProgrammeEN

Kudumbashree Silver Jubilee Vlogs & Reels Competition: Date extended till 6 March 2023

The last date for submitting the entries to the Vlogs & Reels Competition being organized in connection with the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Kudumbashree has been extended till 6 March 2023. Vlogs and reels on any projects, activities, initiatives of Kudumbashree will be considered for the competition.

Cash award of Rs 50,000 will be given for the best vlog. Whereas cash award of Rs 40,000 will be given as second prize and Rs 30,000 will be given as third prize. Cash Award of Rs 25,000 will be given for the best reel whereas cash award of Rs 20,000 will be given as second prize and cash award of Rs 15,000 will be given as third prize. Consolation prizes will also be given for best entries. In addition to cash award trophies and certificates will be awarded to the winners.

The vlog should not exceed 5 minutes and the reels should not exceed 1.30 minutes. An applicant can submit one or more videos. The copyright of the video belongs to Kudumbashree and Kudumbashree shall not be responsible for any copyright claims or seeking approval from any authority. Videos can be prepared in English and Malayalam.

The videos selected by the primary jury will be uploaded on the official YouTube, Facebook and Instagram of Kudumbashree State Mission. 30 percent weightage will be given to views. The winners will be determined based on concept, content, videography and views weightage.

To know more details including the conditions, visit - www.kudumbashree.org/reels2023

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Kudumbashree Silver Jubilee Vlogs & Reels Competition: Date extended till 6 March 2023S

Kudumbashree and SLBC Organizes One Day Workshop to ensure better banking services for Kudumbashree NHGs and Entrepreneurs

Kudumbashree and SLBC (State Level Bankers Committee) organized One Day Workshop to ensure better banking services for 3 lakh Kudumbashree NHGs in the state and Entrepreneurs at Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram on 8 February 2023.

Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree said that in addition to emphasizing existing livelihood schemes to provide sustainable income to NHG members, more emphasis will be placed on financial support and financial literacy activities in the next financial year. Equal importance is being given to the activities to bring the members of the newly formed Auxiliary Groups to better careers. The foundation of Kudumbashree is the micro savings scheme and related activities. In his welcome address, the Executive Director said that a financial literacy campaign would be organized for NHG members to avoid unscientific loan transactions and achieve accuracy and precision in financial transactions.

Rs 8029 crores in various banks of the state belong to Kudumbashree NHGs. The remaining amount after disbursing the internal loan is given interest in savings bank account. Kudumbashree has also raised the suggestion of providing more interest on this investment. Shri. Sreekumar, Deputy General Manager, Canara Bank and SLBC representative said that they will consider whether this can be implemented as per the current guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India. Apart from this, Kudumbashree made discussions with various bank representatives on the challenges faced by banks in providing linkage loans to NHGs, the difficulties faced by existing entrepreneurs and the members of newly formed Auxiliary Groups in getting self-employment loans, relaxation in existing procedures for opening new accounts and providing linkage loans to NHGs, and the services of banking correspondents to speed up the loan process.

Shri. Anil P Antony, Director, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering. Shri. Anish Kumar, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree made a presentation on the various livelihood projects implemented by Kudumbashree in the state aiming at Local Economic Development, projects requiring bank loans for entrepreneurs and Centrally Sponsored Projects. Shri. P. Mohannayya, National Resource Person, NIRD, Shri. Abhishek Goswami, Mission Manager, NRLM-NIRD spoke at the function. Various bank representatives, Kudumbashree Programme Officers and State Programme Managers participated in the programme.

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Kudumbashree and SLBC Organizes One Day Workshop to ensure better banking services for Kudumbashree NHGs and Entrepreneursen

Kudumbashree Silver Jubilee Vlogs & Reels Competition: Date extended till 21 February 2023

The last date for submitting the entries to the Vlogs & Reels Competition being organized in connection with the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Kudumbashree has been extended till 21 February 2023. Vlogs and reels on any projects, activities, initiatives of Kudumbashree will be considered for the competition.

To know more details including the conditions, visit - www.kudumbashree.org/reels2023

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Kudumbashree Silver Jubilee Vlogs & Reels Competition: Date extended till 21 February 2023

Workshop on 'Commercial Sustainable and Safe Broiler Chicken Production Methods for Kerala Chicken Stakeholders' held

A one day workshop on 'Commercial Sustainable and Safe Broiler Chicken Production Methods for Kerala Chicken Stakeholders' jointly organized by Kudumbashree and Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Kerala was held at Hotel Grand Chaithram, Thiruvananthapuram on 1 February 2023. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree inaugurated the workshop. The workshop included various sessions on antibiotic use, production of antibiotic-free chicken, alternative approaches to antibiotics, economic feasibility and future perspective to achieve this goal, and change in management practices.

The workshop was organized with the objective of drafting an approved operating procedure for reducing antibiotic residues in broiler chicken and making commercial broiler farming a sustainable source of income. Based on this, Kudumbashree and Animal Welfare Department will jointly prepare a draft of the approved operating procedure by including the best suggestions. Once this becomes available, comprehensive development will be possible including better broiler management and sustainable employment and income for farmers.

The draft of the approved course of action will include clear guidelines on antibiotic use, antibiotic-free poultry production, antibiotic alternative approaches, economic viability and future perspective to achieve this goal, and changes in management practices. The draft will also include recommendations on health care of chicks, disease control, vaccination, control of diseases caused by inorganic materials, methods of controlling disease vectors, and scientific methods for testing the quality of feed and water.

Advanced broiler management and farmer welfare including measures to ensure on-farm biosecurity, effective waste disposal and meat processing, scientific training of farmers in poultry farming, production of safe and edible poultry, sustainable markets and various certifications are examined in detail. It has been decided to include in the draft proposals that will help ensure sustainable employment and income for the farmers working in this field, along with this.

Dr. A Kowsigan IAS, Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Kerala welcomed the gathering. Dr. Aravind, Dr. Binoy Chacko, Dr. Harikrishnan S, Dr. Surya Shankar, Dr. Jess Varghese, Dr. Punyamoorthy, Dr. Sreenivas Gupta, Dr. Naushad Ali, Dr. Tony Jose, Dr. Natarajan, Dr. Eapen John, Dr. Rana Raj, Dr. Chandra Prasad, Dr. Swapna Susan Abraham, Dr. Selva Kumar, Dr. Bijulal, Dr. Sajeev Kumar, Dr. Sunil, Dr. Anuraj and Dr. Sudhi R spoke on various topics. Along with Kudumbashree, representatives of KEPCO, Brahmagiri Development Society and Meat Products of India, which are working as part of the Kerala Chicken Project, also participated in the workshop.

Kudumbashree and the Department of Animal Husbandry joined hands to prepare an approved operating procedure to be adopted in the production process and distribution chain in a situation where the consumption of meat containing antibiotic residues in the market poses a global threat to public health. Kerala Chicken is a scheme conceived and implemented by the Government of Kerala with the aim of providing quality chicken meat to consumers at reasonable prices and producing at least fifty percent of the domestic consumption here.

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Workshop on 'Commercial Sustainable and Safe Broiler Chicken Production Methods for Kerala Chicken Stakeholders' held