Kudumbasree poverty eradication mission, which is into its 14th year, will now launch a drive to improve the means of livelihood of communities in the coastal areas of the district.

A senior official of Kudumbasree district unit said the mission would now focus on improving livelihood among the coastal and minority communities under progarmmes introduced through the National Livelihood Mission. Kudumbasree is the State-level nodal agency for implementing NRLM.

The Kudumbasree official said the coastal mission would be launched soon and work on improving the data base was underway now.

Meanwhile, the Kudumbasree mission is strengthening its presence in the direct marketing segment through its ‘Home Shop’ concept, which involves having a seller for every 100 homes in a locality.

The ‘Home Shop’ concept has been evolving over the years and it is meant to give a boost to products from entrepreneurs under the Kudumbashree mission. The branded products will have uniform quality.

The highlight of the 14th anniversary celebrations of Kudumbasree poverty eradication mission in the city will be the release of 1,702 books by 1.50 lakh women under the mission.

The celebrations will culminate on October 1 on Marine Drive where an exhibition of products from Kudumbasree units and food festivals will be held between September 27 and October 2.

The books have been written by women under the mission, who recount their experiences through the printed medium. The books will contain their first-hand experiences. The original writings have not been editorially interfered with except in correcting grammatical errors, said a senior official of the Kudumbashree mission here, emphasising the point that the focus will be on first-hand account.

The books will be brought to Kochi in two different rallies, starting from Kasargod and Thiruvananthapuram. The cultural rally will enter the district on September 28 in Moovattupuzha.

Cultural troupe Bheri will present various art forms, including plays by women. A media workshop on women in media will be attended by some of the pioneers in the field.

A meeting held at the Government Guest House here on Tuesday constituted a reception committee for the State meet.

Mayor of Kochi Corporation Tony Chammany is the chairman of the committee, which has Union and State ministers, MPs, MLAs, and Greater Cochin Development Authority chairman as patrons.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Staff Reporter / Kochi, September 22nd, 2012