Celebrating five years of JISH

‘Somewhere in the Andes, they believe to this very day that the future is behind you. It comes up from behind your back, surprising and unforeseeable, while the past is always before your eyes, that which has already happened. When they talk about the past, the people of the Aymara tribe point in front of them. You walk forward facing the past and you turn back toward the future.’^[1]

While reading these lines from the International Booker Prize Winner of 2023 book – ‘Time Shelter’ by Bulgarian writer and poet Georgi Gospodinov, I was reminded of JISH. This year, JISH completed five years of Publication. This made me look at time past and think what future would be there in store for us.

In the symbolic understanding of things, the number 5 has a deep significance. It represents the human quest for perfection because a human with outstretched arms and legs forms a pentagon with the head ‘dominating the four limbs, just as the spirit commands the quaternary of elements.’ There are five senses, five fingers per hand and five toes per foot; the five-pointed star, pointing upwards, symbolises individuality and spiritual aspiration.^[2]

We have had our share of teething problems during our growth, and now, as we settle down, we progress into the phase of consolidation. In the current times, Homoeopathy too is at a phase where it has to look back at its glorious past and also prepare for the future, which is becoming increasingly critical of it. Newer developments in the field of medicine, medical education and research need to be integrated with the philosophical foundations of the past so that the future is secured. Somewhere the past and the present will have to merge to ensure a better future for the science of homoeopathy and its practitioners.

As I reflect on the past five-year journey of JISH, I note that the reading culture is diminishing at an astonishing pace, all the more for scientific journals. I couldn’t help but think - how does a small independent journal without any backing hold its ground? The teachings of our founder, late Dr. M. L. Dhawale sir, have served as a guide to us and have allowed us to remain committed to the path of bringing evidence-based scientific homoeopathy to the world.

As we go ahead with our ‘BIG 5’ moment, we celebrate with a bumper issue where we have published papers in all the categories. Hence, you will find original research papers, homoeopathic educational research, review articles, case series, case reports, book review and a seminar report. There is also an element of grief, as we have an obituary of one of the finest editors of homoeopathy of this contemporary era - Dr. Vishpala Parthasarthy.

Hence, what does the new year usher in for us? There will be newer developments, newer vistas will be explored and newer categories of papers will be added so that the readers will benefit from the representation of more diverse areas of homoeopathic practice. We will also subject ourselves to stringent quality checks and improve ourselves. The growing tree of JISH now has a new offshoot - ‘Integrated Homoeopathy Newsletter.’ This e-newsletter will be more learner centric and will also appeal to the practitioners, academicians and researchers alike.

This journey of JISH will not be completed without acknowledging the efforts, support and help of Dr. Kumar Dhawale and Dr. Shruti Palaye. Since the very first issue, they have been the biggest anchors of JISH. As we grow, more people join in. We welcome the newest addition to our team - Dr Sonam Tiwari Mishra.

I also express my gratitude to the editorial advisory board members, who encourage and guide us and also thank our publisher and all our reviewers.

Most importantly, I would like to thank our readers - without whom we would not have sustained. The celebration is ours and yours. I hope that the coming year will bring in warmth and happiness in the lives of you and your loved ones. On behalf of the entire editorial board of JISH, I wish you all a very happy new year.

And let’s also wish ‘Happy Anniversary’ to each other!