Empty nests get a contact plate

SODHIWALA: The address plates in Punjab’s Sodhiwala village region are taking on a new role of a direct line to the scattered next generation. As sons and daughters chase better futures overseas, elderly parents left behind are turning to a curious solution displaying their mobile numbers on their front gates. It’s a poignant testament to how migration is emptying homes, leaving behind address plates that offer not an invitation, but a way to stay in touch with families now continents apart.

These contact numbers allow visitors to reach members of the family when the house is vacant, highlighting the shifting demographics and changing social landscape of rural Punjab. Ranjit Singh, a prominent villager of Sodhiwala and husband of its outgoing sarpanch, noted that out of the 200-odd families in the village, 25-odd had children living abroad. He said: “It’s a trend that’s catching on. Seeing these families add contact numbers to their address plates, others have followed suit.” His own children are scattered across the globe a son works in Germany, his daughter is in Australia, and his second son, a mechanicalengineer, is ready to move to Canada.

Asked what is pushing our children out of the country, Ranjit Sngh said: “Unemployment and drug addiction. Also, shrinking land holdings and limited job opportunities leave families with little choice.”
Practical solution
The mobile numbers serve a practical and security purpose. Atma Singh, 53, whose son is in Brampton, Canada, and daughter is in Australia, claims that it helps visitors contact them if no one is home. He explained: “If someone comes to our house for the first time, they can call us after seeing the number. We can also verify who is calling from the number displayed on our phone.”Similarly, Jasmail Singh, 55, who has been maintaining a relative’s house for more than a decade, said the system was necessary in homes where there was a significant distance between the main gate and the house itself. He said: “Few homes have doorbells, and knocks aren’t always audible. Having a number posted outside allows us to ensure that the visitors can reach us without inconvenience.”

Security aspect
Tejinder Singh, 55, whose family members live abroad, added that it’s also a matter of security. “We can note down the visitor’s number and call back if needed. It’s safer,” he said. His wife and mother, who is 80, sometimes can’t hear knocks from themain gate, so calls from the visitors allow them to know who’s at the door.

Punjab’s future
Ranjit and Tejinder predict that as migration continues, most houses in the village will adopt this trend. They cite drug issues, unemployment, and decreasing income due to fragmented land holdings as factors pushing more children to seek opportunities overseas.

In neighbouring Janetpura as well, many homes have adopted address plates with mobile numbers, which TOI observed during its visit. The villagers of Jandi, Sherpura, Kleeran, and nearby Moga district report a similar trend, indicating a shift that may soon encompass much of rural Punjab.