Becon is a Light House with light to guide ships. It is hope to all ships to get to their destination. I.J.S. is sailing its ship with efforts and now has a Becon of hope to guide to its desired goals. Academic path is never ending but if taken a correct step forward will lead us to academic glory as desired by its members. We have seen the light and sailing with pace to achieve what we deserve. Next generation is looking forward with tough competition, but has to work in cooperation to strengthen Institution (I.J.S.) to project its objective with direction to bring best of result. You are the master of ship and all hopes lie on your efforts. I feel proud to stand before you to achieve a milestone with your help and to guide future colleagues with better productivity.
Since I.J.S. got indexed. I feel a sense of confidence and satisfaction among the members of ASI as per their mails and phone calls. Number of articles have increased and so also the quality of articles. We still lack support from our Senior Colleagues of repute and high tech institutions in the country. It is a gradual process and let everyone feel the I.J.S. pulse and its reach to more than 7000 institution all over the world with good grading among Indian Journals. We have grown, and growing further with glimpse of bright light ahead.
I.J.S. needs Editorial Secretary at A.S.I. H.Q. to coordinate its working. Springer staff is doing this job without any charges. But we should have our own control to look after primary articles upload and distribution and its follow up. It is more than three years, pending for no reason.
Two special issues published in last four issues – G.I. Surgery (January-February 2012) and controversies in Surgery (May-June 2012). Both are rated high by our colleagues. I appreciate the efforts of designated Editors – Dr. Sudeep Shah, Dr. C. Khandelwal, and Dr. Atul Sharma for G.I. Surgery and Dr. Chintamani for controversies in Surgery. I still feel the role of Sectional Editors should be more contributory and positive in development of I.J.S.
As more than 100 case reports are pending for more than 3 to 4 years, in spite of one special issue of I.J.S. on case reports only. A suggestion has come from Springer for publishing e-I.J.S. on case reports without publishing the hard copies. Authors will be notified and get their consent. Authors will get same advantage and benefits as printed in hard copies by adding to their C.V.
Article citation and impact factors are guide to our acceptance by International fraternity. Indexing of a journal is the beginning only. I.J.S. is moving with marginal improvement in impact factor from 0.075 (2010) to 0.081 (2011).
I.J.S. – RNI number is still under process and needs step to complete formalities and register it.
One case of plagiarism reported this year. The same was referred to COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) London and I narrated to its board the facts and argued by teleconferencing. Proper procedures undertaken, informing parties, higher authorities in the University and State. What Action? Blacklisted in I.J.S. for no further publication of articles and withdrawn this article from the Indexing purposes.
Two legal notices, one for not getting Journal and other regarding publication of the name of President elect 2012. Replies sent.
This year (2011) – I.J.S. is getting Royalty money of about Rs. 14.13 lacs only, a drop from Rs. 25 lacs in 2010. It is because of poor marketing strategies by Springer. The same has been conveyed to the publisher.
In last Mid Term meeting of I.J.S. on 17.07.11 at Faridabad decision was taken that Chairman/Chief Editor will look after the case reports strictly to maintain an equivocal standard while other articles will go to the Editorial Board member as before. Since January 2012, I received 406 articles till 15.07.2012. No case report is pending. Average time to review and article is less than two days. 4 Authors did not agree and represented. Detail answers given and no further complaints. I have full performance report of EB members. I appreciate good work done by few members and needs special mention, Dr. Chintamani, Dr. Sudeep Shah, Dr. Atul Sharma, Dr. Anil Sharma, Dr. Pradeep Sharma, Dr. Ravitheeran, Dr. Saibal Mukherjee, Dr. Gambhir, Dr. Robin Kaushik, Dr. Noronha. Others have also contributed to some extent. I am thankful to them also.
I.J.S. Constitution
Inspite of all efforts, full filling ASI Constitutional provisions since – 2010, the I.J.S. Constitution is not placed for voting to ASI members by mail. I.J.S. constitution passed by I.J.S. E.B. in 2010, 2011, GC – 2010 and 2011, GB in 2010 (Delhi) but not circulated for voting as required. It is requested to the current President and Secretary to kindly send this Constitution by mail for voting and if approved, a mile stone to guide I.J.S. working by more matured academic persons having interest and experience in publication of a Journal.
Journal publication needs hard work of continuous perseverance and coordinated efforts. It needs good amount of time out of busy surgical work. Above all it is keen interest in such work which keeps one happy, inspires at all steps and gives pleasure and satisfaction of some extra output for surgical fraternity in general and academic in particular. Surgeons should come forward to share this responsibility if one enjoys this work besides giving time and energy. It is very satisfying, it is a challenge also and surgeons love challenges, then only success comes. Wish you all the best in your endeavor to do work for the welfare of IJS & ASI.
Dr. Satish Shukla
