Latest news with #KudumbashreeMission
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Kasaragod schools launch ‘Ma Care' centres for student well-being
The Kasaragod District Kudumbashree Mission has launched 'Ma Care' centres in schools to provide maternal-like care for students during school hours. Claimed to be the first-of-its-kind initiative in the State, the project, implemented in collaboration with the Education department, aims to address concerns related to student diet, safety, and general well-being. The centres have been set within school premises to ensure students do not leave the campus for essential needs. Functioning from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Ma Care outlets provide nutritious snacks, sanitary napkins and stationery items at prices lower than market rates. An official said the initiative is intended to curb the consumption of unhealthy foods and discourage students from accessing intoxicants from outside vendors. Sixteen schools in the district currently host these centres, with plans to expand to high schools and higher secondary schools Statewide from July. The concept has received strong positive feedback, prompting the Kudumbashree Mission and the Education department to consider Statewide implementation. 'The initiative ensures students receive the same care and attention as they would at home,' said Kudumbashree District Mission coordinator K. Ratheesh Kumar.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Reading's many merits highlighted at celebration
Letters should be turned into weapons of knowledge, Alappuzha district panchayat president K.G. Rajeshwari has said. Inaugurating the district-level celebration of Reading Day and Reading Week observance at S.N. College, Cherthala, on Thursday, Ms. Rajeshwari said that reading opens up a new world to the reader. 'Reading is essential to becoming a better human being. This is a time when choices related to knowledge are of great importance. If we choose the right books, we can become responsible citizens,' she said while recalling how reading had transformed her own life. She urged the younger generation to understand the value of reading and to read at least one book every month. Govt. projects Ms. Rajeshwari said the State government had launched projects to promote reading and education. 'Through the Literacy Mission, many people have stepped into the world of education. Similarly, institutions like the Kudumbashree Mission have helped bring to light the hidden creative talents of many women. While there are concerns that the younger generation is drifting away from the world of reading, the recent acceptance and appreciation received by the works of young writers like Akhil P. Dharmajan offer much hope,' she added. V.T.'s case Writer K. Rekha, who was the chief guest at the function, said that reading not only enhances linguistic abilities but also fosters scientific awareness, and that language plays a crucial role in shaping human character. 'There is no age limit for reading. It was in his thirties that V.T. Bhattathiripad entered the world of letters. The insights he gained from reading helped rewrite the destiny of an entire society,' she said. Interacting with the audience, the writer emphasised that the Malayalam language was not dying. She, however, pointed out that the overuse of mobile phones and social media was distancing the younger generation from reading books. Kanjikuzhy block panchayat president V.G. Mohanan presided. Additional District Magistrate Asha C. Abraham, S.N. College, Cherthala Principal T.P. Bindu and others attended the function.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Corp seeks Kudumbashree aid for public toilet upkeep
T'puram: In a major step towards improving urban sanitation, the city corporation approached the Kudumbashree Mission to take over the operation and maintenance of all public toilets in the city, excluding those run by Sulabh. The move comes in response to growing concerns over hygiene standards and public dissatisfaction, especially after the city scored zero in public toilet cleanliness in the Swachh Survekshan Survey 2023 conducted by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs. The civic body officially requested Kudumbashree to submit a detailed proposal for year-round maintenance of the city's 46 public toilets. The decision follows the successful operation of seven toilet kiosks at Manaveeyam Veedhi by Kudumbashree workers. These facilities remained closed for over a year before being reopened recently and managed efficiently by Kudumbashree. "The cleanliness and discipline shown by Kudumbashree team at Manaveeyam Veedhi convinced us of their ability to handle the city's toilet infrastructure. We want to replicate this model city-wide," corporation secretary Jahamgeer S said. In a recent meeting between the corporation secretary and the Kudumbashree executive director, the two sides began discussions on a comprehensive strategy to ensure maintenance, hygiene, and long-term viability of public toilets. A detailed proposal is expected to be submitted shortly. Kudumbashree Mission officials welcomed the move and expressed their readiness to take up the challenge. "We see this as a crucial step toward inclusive urban development and improving the quality of life for all residents, especially women and the elderly. Our teams are trained, committed, and ready to work with the corporation to bring sustainable change," a senior Kudumbashree official said. Most public toilets in the city remained shut after private contractors abandoned their operation, citing a lack of revenue and poor usage. Although there are also public restrooms available in petrol stations and other outlets, the overall availability and upkeep have remained grossly inadequate. Under the Smart City initiative, six public toilets were upgraded recently. These include facilities at the corporation campus, Putharikandam Maidanam, Thampanoor KSRTC outgate and ingate, and Vanchiyoor. These upgraded toilets are being viewed as benchmarks for cleanliness and accessibility. Despite these improvements, the corporation acknowledged significant gaps in toilet infrastructure. The state govt also initiated a statewide hygiene survey of public toilets, signalling a broader and more coordinated approach to sanitation across Kerala.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Mayor inaugurates Samridhi@Kochi's maiden canteen at GCDA
Samridhi@Kochi, a budget hotel initiative being run jointly by the Kochi Corporation and the Kudumbashree Mission, opened its first canteen at the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) here on Monday. Mayor M. Anilkumar inaugurated the canteen. GCDA chairperson K. Chandran Pillai presided. Mr. Anilkumar marvelled at how Samridhi@Kochi was fast expanding beyond an initiative restricted to the Kochi Corporation. The canteen will be open to the public though food will be priced differently for the public and GCDA employees.
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kudumbashree creates centralised technology bank to give innovative touch to its farm livelihood enterprises
To usher in a new era of technology-driven women entrepreneurship, the Kudumbashree Mission has launched the Kudumbashree Technology Advancement Programme (KTAP) where by a centralised technology bank has been created by purchasing 184 technologies at an estimated ₹90 lakh. Memorandums of Understanding have been signed with seven reputed research and technology institutes from which the technologies related to farming and food processing and value addition have been bought with the objective of harnessing the power of innovation and technology to strengthen Kudumbashree's farm livelihood vertical. The idea is to transform traditional farming and food processing into sustainable, competitive rural enterprises. 'The State Kudumbashree Mission will impart awareness about these technologies to district-level teams initially. In the next stage, selected members from each district, including entrepreneurs, will be given hands-on training in technologies of relevance to them at the institutes concerned. Going forward more related technologies will be added to the bank,' said S. Shanavas, State Programme Officer, Kudumbashree's Farm Livelihood vertical. The technology bank will serve as a shared repository of modern tools and solutions to empower Self-Help Groups to access, borrow, and utilise technologies to enhance productivity and product quality. These technologies will be harnessed for creating new 1,500 product groups and 125 integrated farming clubs besides empowering the existing enterprises. KTAP is being backed by an initial budget of ₹1 crore under the Technical Supporting Agency (TSA) component of National Rural Livelihoods Mission to revolutionize farm livelihoods by integrating cutting-edge technology into all levels of agricultural and food-based enterprises. The impact of KTAP is expected to be three-fold. It will enable certified, high-quality value-added products that can compete beyond local boundaries. enhance income generation for women-led rural enterprises by moving them from subsistence-level livelihoods to scalable agribusiness models and build technical and managerial skills thus ensuring members are trained in the use, maintenance, and business applications of the technologies provided. Among the key objectives of the project include modernisng key areas such as agri-processing, smart farming, organic production, packaging, licensing, and branding. The technology access is likely to help product standardization, enhanced inter-district collaboration, and entry into domestic and international markets.
