In Manak Khana village of Punjab’s Bathinda district, sarpanch Seshandeep Kaur leads an initiative to install nameplates on houses with the names of the eldest woman in the family as part of a broader effort for women’s empowerment.
In a quiet but powerful act of defiance against entrenched patriarchy, the village of Manak Khana in Punjab’s Bathinda district is making history with nameplates for women.
Led by one of Punjab’s youngest sarpanches, the village panchayat has started an initiative to honour its women by installing nameplates on every house— about 90 in total — in the name of the eldest woman in the family.
This initiative — the brainchild of sarpanch Seshandeep Kaur — not only challenges traditional gender norms but also instils a new sense of pride and identity among the women of the village. For many, this simple gesture carries profound significance in a society where women are often identified not by their own names, but by the names of their fathers, brothers or husbands. It also signals a quiet but meaningful shift in the cultural landscape of Punjab’s countryside.
Amarjit Kaur, 67, is one of the many women whose life has been touched by this initiative. Reflecting on her past, she said: “From my parents’ house to my in-laws’ house, I was always known by the name of a man. First my father or brother, and then my husband. I had no identity of my own. But when I saw the nameplate with my name on it, I was over the moon. For the first time, people ask for me by my name.”
Similarly, 60-year-old Manjit Kaur felt an unprecedented sense of belonging when she saw her name outside her home. “It felt like my own house,” she said with pride. “We had never seen a nameplate with a woman’s name before. This initiative is giving us the respect we deserve.”
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With a population of 600, Manak Khana is likely the first village in Punjab where every house is identified by the name of a woman.
In addition to the nameplates, the village now boasts detailed maps of every ward, displaying house numbers prominently on the streets. This visible change reflects a deeper shift, as the community begins to recognise the contributions and importance of its women.
While discussions on gender equality are common in political speeches and during celebrations like International Women’s Day, the reality on the ground often tells a different story. Cases of harassment and discrimination against women continue to make headlines. However, in Manak Khana, this new campaign led by Seshandeep is making tangible progress towards gender equity.
Seshandeep said she initially had concerns about how the villagers would react to such a bold move. “I was afraid that people might turn against me. But instead, the entire village supported me, and together we made this change happen,” she said.
The nameplates are just one part of Seshandeep’s broader vision for the village. She has also established an 11-member committee to ensure that women’s voices are heard in local governance.
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Regular meetings of the gram sabha are held on time, and the village has introduced several welfare schemes for women and girls. Under the Mata Gujri Scheme, financial assistance of Rs 5,100 is provided for weddings of girls from poor families and for households celebrating the birth of a girl. Moreover, to foster intellectual growth, a library named after Punjab’s celebrated woman writer Amrita Pritam has been established, offering a range of Punjabi newspapers and books.
Through these efforts, Manak Khana is challenging the status quo and actively creating a new narrative — one where women are seen, heard and respected.
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The lead image on top shows Sukhjeet Kaur standing in front of her house that bears the nameplate with her name, followed by that of her husband, Baldev Singh. (Photo by Kiranjit Kaur Jhunir)
Kiranjit Kaur Jhunir is an independent journalist based in Punjab.
