Minister: diversify Kudumbasree activities

Kudumbasree has to emerge as more than an organiser of women neighbourhood groups that operate in traditional areas to make its presence felt in new areas, Minister for Local Self-government K.T. Jaleel has said. It should emerge as more than an avenue to earn money and turn its attention to the services sector, he said.

He was speaking after inaugurating ‘The Kudumbasree Story,’ a portal that chronicles the history, activities, and success of Kudumbasree, at a function organised by the Kudumbasree’s National Resource Organisation here on Thursday.

41 lakh members

Kudumbasree, with 41 lakh members, had scripted a success story and become a model for the world. It also played an important role in expansion of the People’s Plan across the State, he said.

From humble beginnings in Alappuzha to Malappuram where it became a State-level organisation, Kudumbasree had come a long way. Not just within India, other countries, including those in Africa, too were interested in emulating the Kudumbasree model, he said.

The portal, in English, was aimed at telling the world about the many successes of the mission, the Minister said. The Malayalam version would be released in March. It would also come out in book form, both in Malayalam and English, Mr. Jaleel said. A publication wing should be started in Kusumbasree to promote creative activities of Kudumbasree members such as novels, poetry and other writing.

Buds schools would be started in each panchyat under the aegis of Kudumbasree, and at least one rehabilitation centres for children with special needs in each district.

Counselling centre

A pre-marital counselling centre would be started in Malappuram under the aegis of Kudumbasree in March. Directions had been given to form groups of differently abled persons and of those who had come back from abroad. There was need to include educated women as part of neighbourhood groups. With big initiatives and projects getting under way, this would provide various opportunities to qualified and trained women. “Nearly 1,300 women will get jobs in Kochi Metro. This will include not only cleaning activities but other jobs such as ticketing,” he said.

Kudumbasree Executive Director S. Harikishore presided. A discussion on the theme ‘Kudumbasree: the road forward’ was held. Planning Board member Mridul Eapen, Centre for Development Studies faculty member J. Devika, journalist K.A. Beena, and Ummanoor CDS chairperson Bindu Prakash took part.