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Kudumbashree - Success Story of Whitestar Home stay


 


Marking space in tourism sector: Success Story of Whitestar  Home stay

 

White Star Homestay can better be called as the Twinkling Star on the Banks of Kadalundi Lake. White Star Homestay located in Ward No. 4, of Vallikkunnu Panchayath in Malappuram District of Kerala. Smt. Sheeja from Jeeva Neighborhood Group (NHG) of Vallikkunu CDS has started this venture on 19 November 2018, with a capital investment Rs. 3.5 lakhs out of which Rs2 Lakhs was a bank loan from Canara Bank. The Homestay was established in 19 cents of land located on the banks of Kadalundi Lake. The total area of the building is 700 sqft with two bedrooms (one A/c), one bath room and one work area. 
The unit proprietor Smt. Sheeja got inspiration after she attending the training held at Kakkad, which was given by Kudumbashree Mission. She also got inspiration from similar units started by others near Kadalundi.  Kudumbashree District Mission Co-ordinator, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, District Programme Manager, Block Co-ordinator, CDS Chairperson, ADS President and NHG members supported the innovative venture. The Unit was officially inaugurated by District Mission Co-ordinator of Kudumbashree, Malappuram on 19 November 2018. 


The IEC (Information, Education, Communication) activities to popularize the facilities and services provided by Homestay include YouTube videos, bit-notices, posters and mouth-to-mouth campaign through Kudumbashree network.
The package of the Homestay includes welcome drinks and snacks in the morning, breakfast-tapioca, muru, chicken, pathiri, chappathi, etc., meals – crab, karimeen (pearl spot fish), vegetable, sambar, pickle, etc., tea & snacks, dinner – meals & chappathi along with chicken, fish, etc. The boating cost is Rs. 2000 per boat. If there are 12 persons, the total package will cost Rs. 9000 (including boating). Additional cost will be charged for accommodation as well. There are two bedrooms in the homestay, i.e., an air conditioned room and a non-air conditioned room, which can accommodate four persons each and would cost Rs. 2000 and Rs. 1000 respectively. As the Unit has been inaugurated recently, the turn-over comes around Rs. 10,000 only. 
The Project has been evolved from the thought that, a unique project could give an additional income for the family which is relying upon the sole income of Sheeja’s husband who is running two dry cleaning Shops. They could utilize the scenic beauty of existing plot, which was owned by her husband. 


The Unit is planning to take license for the homestay with their existing house, if Panchayat, Tourism Department and Health Department further deny the approval. And expansion will be carried out with the facilities attached to the house, which may give more space to the homestay. 
The Message to the aspiring women is that one should have confidence in their ability and resources. Everyone should be able to utilize the resources available within their own locality. This is the first intervention in this locality as well as first intervention by Kudumbashree in Malappuram District. The story of White Star homestay is nothing but the saga of the will power of a woman.  Smt. Sheeja, this woman had proved that there is nothing that can beat their self-confidence and of you believe in yourself, nothing is impossible.


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