logo
e-cycle initiative first step towards carbon-neutral Kerala: says Minister

e-cycle initiative first step towards carbon-neutral Kerala: says Minister

The Hindu01-07-2025
Local Self Government Minister M.B. Rajesh on Tuesday said that the electric bicycle (e-cycle) initiative was the first significant step towards making Kerala a carbon-neutral State.
He was inaugurating the district-level distribution of e-cycles under a joint project on the Local Self Government department, Energy department, and Union Ministry of Rural Development.
Addressing the function held at the Kannur district panchayat auditorium, the Minister said the project aimed to not only reduce carbon emissions but also empower women, especially Kudumbashree members, by improving their mobility, reducing travel cost, and promoting entrepreneurship.
'The e-cycle project will significantly improve the quality of life of women. It is a move towards sustainable development with social impact,' he said.
The project, which forms part of the Carbon Neutral Kerala initiative, involves distributing e-cycles to 350 Kudumbashree members in 71 rural community development societies in Kannur. Each e-cycle, valued at ₹40,000 is being given by collecting a beneficiary share of ₹3,000.
Minister for Registration, Museum and Archaeology Ramachandran Kadannappally, who presided over the function, said Kerala had always been quick to adapt to change. 'e-Cycles will become a transformative project, setting an example in green mobility,' he said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Efforts to preserve tribal art forms to be stepped up, says Minister
Efforts to preserve tribal art forms to be stepped up, says Minister

The Hindu

time5 days ago

  • The Hindu

Efforts to preserve tribal art forms to be stepped up, says Minister

Minister for Local Self-Government M.B. Rajesh has said that efforts to pass on tribal art forms to the new generation will be stepped up as part of a broader government initiative to ensure the comprehensive development of indigenous communities in the State. He was speaking at the State-level inauguration of the Jana Galsa project as part of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. The Minister said that the Kudumbashree's work since 2009 on tribal welfare had been exemplary. He emphasised that the government was implementing integrated projects to improve the lives and livelihoods of tribal populations. Highlighting key achievements, Mr. Rajesh said that the Scheduled Tribe Special Scheme, which was launched in Attappadi in 2013 and expanded Statewide in 2016, had improved the market access of tribal entrepreneurs. Products like Hill Value from Attappadi, 'Van Dhan' from Wayanad, and 'Gamthe' from Nilambur are now competing with mainstream brands. At present, 98% of tribal families in the State are part of Kudumbshree neighbourhood groups. A total of 1,24,904 families are associated through 7,135 general and special groups. As part of employment generation, training was given to 2,893 youths for Public Service Commission (PSC) tests, and 193 of them secured jobs, while 394 have found a place in the rank list. Additionally, 1,480 people have found employment through skill development under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana. The Minister also said that enhanced livelihood opportunities were being extended to the agricultural and animal husbandry sectors. Key projects like the Kudumbashree Tribal Enterprise and Innovation Centre, Communicore (English training for tribal children), Kanas Jaga 2.0 (to foster creativity in children), and community kitchens will be executed more vigorously in the coming months, he added.

A master stroke to revitalise tribal art forms & aid artists in Kerala
A master stroke to revitalise tribal art forms & aid artists in Kerala

New Indian Express

time06-08-2025

  • New Indian Express

A master stroke to revitalise tribal art forms & aid artists in Kerala

KOCHI: Having made positive interventions in different sectors, Kudumbashree is on a new mission now: Reviving indigenous tribal art forms facing extinction. The community network has come up with 'Jana Galsa' to provide the traditional art forms practised by 37 Kerala tribes a stage at events organised by government and quasi-government agencies, giving its practitioners a means to earning a livelihood. Utilising the art forms in the teaching-learning process in tribal schools, to ensure students are familiarised with the subjects through their own traditional art forms and language, is another aim. 'The first step would be gathering information about the popular and not-so-popular tribal art forms. That begins on August 9,' a Kudumbashree official associated with the project told TNIE. The aim is to create a directory of the art forms with the help of organisations like Kirtads (Kerala Institute for Research Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes). 'It is important to identify art forms that the tribals are comfortable presenting in public. There are some art forms that they (only) perform within the community during rites and rituals,' said the official. Once that is done, Kudumbashree will help practitioners get a stage to perform and earn a livelihood. 'They could be provided an avenue in association with the tourism department to perform at tourist destinations or festivals. They might also be registered as Kudumbashree's micro-enterprise groups or used in various Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities,' said the official. Another objective is to use the art forms to help students studying in schools in the tribal belt understand the lessons. 'We will analyse how to connect the art forms with science or maths to help tribal students assimilate the concepts and facts better. However, a module has to be developed for this, and that will happen only after the first phase is over. We aim to complete the survey by the end of August,' the official said. 'All eligible beneficiaries under the tribal project currently implemented by Kudumbashree will be identified for the purpose. It is hoped that by forming a state-level consortium by including art forms under the enterprise model, the tribals will be able to find better livelihood,' the official said.

From ruin to resilience: 46 Wayanad women sew new hope with Bailey project
From ruin to resilience: 46 Wayanad women sew new hope with Bailey project

India Today

time31-07-2025

  • India Today

From ruin to resilience: 46 Wayanad women sew new hope with Bailey project

A year after devastating landslides swept through Wayanad's Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Kerala, a group of 46 women have stitched together a quiet but powerful comeback — one umbrella and bag at a time. Their journey to recovery, resilience and self-reliance now proudly carries the name 'Bailey', inspired by the Bailey bridge built by the Indian Army at Chooralmala, the first sign of hope in the midst of 'Bailey Umbrella and Bags Project' was launched by the district administration in partnership with Kudumbashree, a poverty eradication and women empowerment program implemented by the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM), to help women who had lost everything find their footing again. It is no ordinary livelihood scheme. For many of these women, it marks the beginning of a new chapter — one with the rustle of fabric, the clack of sewing machines and the quiet dignity of earning an first umbrellas — 390 of them — were made with materials provided by the Indian Army, who had been at the frontlines of rescue operations. Training sessions followed, led by Kudumbashree and the administration, helping the women hone their craft. Soon, their colourful umbrellas began appearing in Kudumbashree stalls and Tribal Department outlets. In Kalpetta's civil station, a permanent counter now proudly showcases the Bailey brand. The bags have their own story to tell. What began as a modest production line is now bustling with orders — 277 bags from Kudumbashree, 50 from the Suchitwa Mission, 370 from NABARD, 50 from the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, 100 from the State Bank of India, a whopping 1,000 from Ananterra Resort, and 100 more from the Department of Commerce. Each order is a nod of encouragement, a step are now underway to take these handcrafted products beyond Wayanad — into local markets and online platforms. For the women, the Bailey Bags project is no longer just a workplace; it is a place of healing, purpose and shared strength. Minister for Local Self Government MB Rajesh couldn't be prouder. 'They are preparing a great model of revival,' he wrote. 'Today, these families can ensure income and livelihood. The name of these initiatives, 'Bailey', also shares the message of survival of Mundakkai.' And as Bailey umbrellas begin to dot the streets and Bailey bags find their way into homes, one thing is clear — this is not just a project, but a quiet celebration of survival.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Kerala

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store