It is an immense honour and privilege to address the fraternity as the National President of Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA). As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of modern medicine, our society stands at the brink of an academic revolution. Today, we celebrate a defining milestone in our collective journey: the formal re-launch of the Northern Supplement of the Indian Journal of Anaesthesia (IJA). More than an addition to our publication platform, this supplement reflects our vision to create an inclusive platform for all sections of our great society. The Northern Supplement represents the first step in a strategic roll out, designed to ensure that clinical brilliance, whether it originates from a premier tertiary care centre in the capital or a remote primary health care centre in the Himalayas, finds its rightful place in the global scientific discourse. To understand the significance of this re-launch, one must look back at the trajectory of the IJA. In 2015, Dr. S. S. Harsoor, the then ISA National President, proposed to start zonal supplements of IJA. I was then the member of ISA Council. Collective efforts were made by myself, Dr. S.S. Bajwa, Dr. Sunil Katyal, and Dr. Zulfiquar Ali to start the northern supplement of IJA. The inaugural issue was released during ISACON 2015, Jaipur, with Dr. S.S. Bajwa as Editor-in-Chief. A pivotal leap occurred on 15 August 2020. In the midst of global challenges because of the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic, the supplements started getting published by the publisher of IJA, the Wolters Kluwer.1 This was done under the visionary guidance of late Dr. Lalit Mehdiratta, Editor-in-Chief IJA, and I had the honour of being Honorary Secretary ISA National, with Dr. S.S. Bajwa as Editor-in-Chief of the Northern Supplement of IJA. It modernised our submission systems and expanded our digital footprint. The re-launch of the Northern Supplement of IJA reflects our commitment to recognise regional excellence. The north zone of the ISA is a geographical and intellectual powerhouse. Spanning the majestic Himalayas in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh, with Chandigarh in the foot hills, the plains of Punjab and Haryana, to the heart of the National Capital of Delhi, this zone houses world-class medical institutions and some of the most dedicated clinicians in the world. The Northern Supplement of IJA is more than a regional diary. It is a robust platform for diverse clinical research. By creating these dedicated supplements, we are effectively expanding the shelf space of the IJA. This will allow us to publish more high-quality work without compromising the rigorous standards of our parent journal. Our ultimate goal is to publish two supplement issues for each zone annually. The zones are north, south, east and north-east, west, and central. These zonal supplements will run alongside our 12 regular monthly issues. Furthermore, we are maintaining our dedicated supplements the post-graduate (PG) issue and abstract supplement, ensuring that the IJA remains a comprehensive resource for all levels of the profession. Our society is young, vibrant, and hungry for knowledge. Currently, younger members (The YUVA ISAians) comprise over 60% of the ISA. For a PG student or a young consultant, the first publication is often the hardest to achieve. These zonal supplements provide a vital, high-quality platform for early-career researchers to highlight their work. By providing more avenues for peer-reviewed publication, we are mentoring the next generation of academic leaders and ensuring the future of Indian anaesthesiology is secure. We live in an era where predatory journals or fake journals are on a rise. These entities promise quick publication for a fee, often bypassing the peer-review process and compromising the integrity of medical science. The ISA stands firm against this trend. The IJA maintains the highest level of integrity and transparency. Every article, whether in the main journal or the northern supplement, undergoes a rigorous, double-blind peer-review process. We believe that a publication in the IJA must remain a badge of honour, earned and not awarded. For too long, academic publishing was seen as the exclusive domain of medical colleges. The Northern Supplement will also include publications from private practitioners. Our colleagues working in the private sector encounter fascinating clinical scenarios and near-misses every day. We encourage them to publish these as letters to the editor. Their practical, on-the-ground insights are invaluable to the fraternity and deserve a formal place in our literature. I commend the Editor-in-Chief IJA, Dr. Madhuri Kurdi; the Editor In-Charge Northern supplement, Dr. Amit Kohli; the entire north zone editorial team; reviewers; and contributing authors for their meticulous efforts and unwavering commitment. However, the success of the Northern Supplement and the supplements to follow for the other zones depends on our members: The ISAians. A journal is only as strong as its contributors. I encourage every ISAian, from the veteran professor to the first-year resident, to contribute their research, letter to editor, and innovations to this platform. The IJA Northern Supplement is more than just a collection of original research papers and case reports; it is a testament to the thriving intellectual spirit of our members nationwide. It is a reflection of our resilience, our curiosity, and our commitment to patient safety. As we move forward in 2026, let us use this platform to elevate the standards of anaesthesiology, critical care, and pain medicine across India. Let us ensure that the ISA is recognised globally for its excellence in academics, clinical work, and ethical research. With Competency, Commitment and Compassion, together we grow and together we lead. Long Live ISA! Jai ISAian !! Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.
Naveen Malhotra (Thu,) studied this question.