From the snowy peaks of Uri to the semi urban town of Roorkee, I have had more than my share of the Jats. After an exhilarating tenure with Dograi Paltan, the 3rd battalion of Jat Regiment, I landed up in the deserts of Rajasthan with 10 Guards, which also consisted a majority of Jats. After a brief stay with them, I got my posting to 2 Mechanised Infantry and thought that I had seen the last of them. On joining, I was given the shock that I had dived into a sea of Jats as I had joined 1 JAT (LI). The only difference here was that I was surrounded not only by Jats but also Jatnis and Jatules (the kids) as it was my first peace station.

The change from the loud and spirited Ram Ram Saab by the jawans to Namaste Doctor Sahib from the ladies was too sudden for me to adjust and gear up for the families who were dove-eyed over their new doctor. Initially, it was only the sick ladies who used to visit the MI Room (my new clinic), but as the word spread, more and more descended on the MI Room to size me up and assess my capabilities in more ways than one could imagine.

I got married while I was serving with 2 Mechanised Infantry. My wife was welcomed with the title Doctorni Memsaab by the Jatnis. She felt elated as she earned the title as a marriage gift, while I had to slog a good five years for the same. As she got closer to the ladies during family welfare meets and learnt their problems, she started referring more lady patients to me, further adding to my load. My dedication and devotion to the profession came under scrutiny and suspicion when my wife overheard two Jatnis in conservation. The context was 'Chalo Kal Doctor Sahab se mil ke aate hain, bahut din ho gaye. The best was yet to come within a month of my being appointed as the nodal medical officer for infertility cases. An infertile couple came to me with the news that they were expecting a child. In the bargain, I received the unofficial citation of being 'The Potent One'.

With the Jatnis come little Jatlets every time to the clinic. For the first time, I saw an 8-year-old boy coming as a responsible guardian to his younger sibling. Even before I could express wonder, all my amazement was put to rest when he opened his mouth. He was very crude in his talk. I concluded that the little boy had attained Jatliness, a little too early in life.

I came across one couple that entered my MI Room with their complete family-and complete it was. I was taken aback when I learnt that there was a dur ka rishta between the oldest and the youngest child. Both their ages turned out to be 18-the elder was in years and the younger in months, with three more hanging in the midst. I started believing that the Jats defy all rules as a matter of habit, including those of family planning. I sat wondering on the employment of an infertility officer with the Royal Jats.

It has been nine months now and the fruits have started getting delivered. I mean the fruits of having an insight into the Jat's mind! I have always felt at home with them as I am amidst the most affectionate and endearing people. Each day brings with it a new surprise for me, a deeper and more curious look into the Royal Jat attitude and this is not odd for me as I am also a Jat, by birth, and by appointment.