Malappuram: Kudumbashree’s Happy Kerala project, aimed at creating space of happiness, is now set to expand into urban areas as well. Currently, the initiative is operational in 154 Community Development Societies (CDSs) across rural regions of the state. From this year onwards, Happiness Centres will also be established in towns and cities.

The objective of these Happiness Centres is to identify and resolve the various problems and difficulties faced by individuals. The Local Self Government Department will play a major role in the implementation of the project. Other collaborating departments include Health, Social Justice, Women and Child Development, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Forests.

Interventions through localised engagement

Under the Happy Kerala initiative, specific districts and urban CDSs have been selected for implementation in the following pattern:

  • Thiruvananthapuram – Attingal
  • Kollam – Karunagappally, Kollam
  • Pathanamthitta – Pandalam
  • Alappuzha – Alappuzha North
  • Kottayam – Ettumanoor
  • Ernakulam – Perumbavoor
  • Thrissur – Chavakkad
  • Malappuram – Nilambur, Perinthalmanna
  • Kozhikode – Kozhikode North
  • Wayanad – Kalpetta
  • Kannur – Mattannur
  • Kasaragod – Neeleswaram

In these model CDSs, intervention areas will be formed by clustering homes at the ward level. Houses numbered consecutively from 1 to 20 will be grouped together and given a collective name. Each ward will have five such clusters. This structure is intended to include families beyond Kudumbashree membership as well.

A survey focusing on these families will help identify their core issues, and solutions will be developed with the help of resource persons. Expert support will also be sought from various relevant sectors.