The Never-Ending ISSN Chase – My Department Journal Story

By Dharmpal Singh

It all began in one of our Board of Studies (BoS) meetings in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. The agenda that day seemed ordinary, but one particular decision changed the course of my professional journey. It was announced:

“Every department must have its own academic journal.”

For many, this was just another directive — one more item in a long list of departmental tasks. But for me, it was something different. Something personal. I felt that if I could establish a journal for our department, it would not only bring recognition but also serve as a platform for our students and faculty to express their research ideas.

I took the responsibility on my shoulders. And so began my long, painful, and yet unforgettable journey — a journey I now call The Never-Ending ISSN Chase.

First Attempt – The Ignition

I searched online and discovered that the ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) for journals in India was provided by the National ISSN Centre at a very reasonable cost. It looked straightforward. Fill a form, attach documents, and wait.

I prepared everything carefully, attached my Aadhaar card, and sent it to the ISSN office. I was hopeful. I even imagined how the first copy of our journal would look with that official ISSN number stamped proudly.

I waited for 20 days. Finally, the reply came.

Rejected.

No clear reason. Just a blunt rejection.

It felt like a slap. My enthusiasm dimmed, but I told myself: “This is just the first hurdle. I will try again.”

Second Attempt – The Website Issue

I reapplied. This time, after another long wait, I received the response:

“Your journal is not linked with the institute website.”

That was the reason. Something so small, yet such a big barrier.

I worked with our website team to ensure that the journal page was properly linked. I reapplied with confidence.

Third Attempt – Still Not Verified

One month later, again, rejection. They wrote:

 “Unable to verify the link with the institute.”

I could not believe it. I had double-checked everything. To prove it, I took a printout of the webpage showing the journal linked to the institute. I sent it again, feeling frustrated yet determined.

Fourth Attempt – The Format Problem

This time, I decided to call the ISSN office directly. On the phone, they said:

“Your journal is not following our format.”

I was stunned. I had already followed their guidelines. Still, I redesigned the journal exactly as per their specifications and sent it.

Rejection again.

Fifth Attempt – Editorial Board Non-Responsive

Another rejection followed, this time with a new reason:

 “One of your editorial board members did not respond to our verification email.”

I personally wrote to every member of the editorial board. Twelve replied with interest and confirmation. I updated the list and applied again.

Sixth Attempt – Insufficient Confirmations

Yet again, rejection.

This time they said they received only eight confirmations. I felt like I was running in circles. No matter how many steps I took, another unexpected hurdle arose. But I still reapplied.

Seventh Attempt – The COVID Blackout

Before the process could proceed, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The whole world came to a standstill. Offices were shut, people were dying every day, fear and uncertainty gripped everyone.

At our institute, we were told to come once a month. While others were focused only on health and survival, a part of me still held onto the journal dream.

I dialed the ISSN office number again and again. No one picked up. I even tried contacting “Rinku ji” from the  office. No reply.

My co-editor, Sudipta Sahana, told me:

“Leave it, Sir. They will never give it. During COVID, think about health, not journals.”

I respected his words, but deep inside, I couldn’t let go. The journal had become more than a task — it had become a mission.

Eighth Attempt – Missing Professional ID

When the ISSN process slowly restarted after months, I reapplied. This time the reason for rejection was:

 “One editorial board member has not submitted their professional ID.”

It felt unfair — one missing ID, and the entire application rejected! I immediately contacted that member and got the documents corrected.

Still, I waited… and waited.

Ninth Attempt – “Refresh Application” During COVID

During one of my monthly visits to the institute, I tried again. I called the ISSN office, and finally, someone picked up.

They said:

 “During COVID, many applications were canceled. You must apply again, in a refreshed way.”

I reapplied. This time, they said again that one member was not responding. I was desperate. I called that member directly, even took them on a conference call to clear the doubt in front of ISSN staff.

Then began the longest 30 days of waiting. Every day, I wondered: “Will they reject me again? Will they ever approve it?”

I lost sleep. I carried the tension to class, to meetings, even to home.

The Unexpected Twelfth Hour Miracle

And then — when I least expected it — the miracle happened.

The message arrived:

 “Your ISSN number is allotted.”

I read it again and again to be sure. For a moment, I couldn’t believe my eyes. After years of rejections, calls, resubmissions, after facing COVID, after hearing discouragement from colleagues — finally, success.

That day, all the pain, the sleepless nights, the frustration melted away.

More Than Just Success

But this was not the end. This journey gave me an experience deeper than success.

I remembered a childhood story my father once told me — about a warrior who attacked a country seventeen times before finally succeeding. That story became my inspiration. If that man could try seventeen times for his mission, then I too could keep applying again and again until the ISSN was granted.

I had thought I might need to apply seventeen times. Luckily, my success came earlier — but the spirit remained the same: never give up, no matter how many rejections you face.

Sharing the Knowledge

After securing the ISSN, I didn’t stop. I used my experience to help another group from the same college who wanted to start their own journal. This time, I guided them carefully — overcoming every hurdle I had faced.

And to my pride, their application succeeded in the very first attempt.

Reflection

Looking back, this was not just about a journal. It was about resilience, patience, and belief.

Many said it was impossible. Many gave up. Even my co-editor suggested I should stop. But I couldn’t — because I believed that even in the darkest times, like during COVID, we can still create something meaningful.

This ISSN number may be just a code to others, but for me, it is a symbol of persistence, a reminder that failure is only the first step toward success.

And whenever life tests me again, I will remember:

 “If one man could attack a country 17 times and finally win, I too can face 17 rejections and still succeed.”

 This is my story — not just of a journal, but of determination, resilience, and a belief that no rejection can stop a dream if your heart refuses to give up.

By Dharmpal Singh