Volume 4 Issue 3 |

Editorial

Welcome to the third issue of the year in the fiesta of light, melody, and colors – a joyous journey through arts, aesthetics, and spirituality. The festive season usually derails us from our career-centric ambitious goals and nudges us about the social milieu of our biological and emotional existence. It is a time for enjoying our bonding with nature, culture, and society in multifarious ways. However, it is often darker under the lamp, and we are confronted with the growing incidences of environmental disasters and their disturbing social, economic and political consequences around the world. These incidents consistently signal that festive days will end soon and many more devastations await us unless we rectify our actions. Unfortunately, the silver line is far away.

This issue begins with the tour in and around Manali, a very popular Himalayan tourist destination in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. The article narrates how the contemporary fast pace concept of tourism disintegrates the traditional lifestyle of local communities. A firsthand account of a group of young researchers depicts the replacement of local food by cosmopolitan fast food, vanishing regional attires, conversion of religious places into commercial centers, and changing housing architecture. The authors also warn us how in the name of commerce, the local sustainable lifestyle of the hill communities in resource-constrained regions is rapidly transforming towards the fast-paced urban life and their possible consequences. The second article shifts our focus towards the mighty influenza virus and its interesting connection with the animal kingdom. Well known for its pathogenic aggravation ranging from common flu to deadly COVID-19, the virus is very much under the microscope and stalked meticulously across the world. The friendly coexistence of the virus with most of the animals except the human being is a long-standing riddle. The young authors with their simple narrative style tell us about the virus, its association with different diseases, the evolution of different pathogenic variants as well as the importance of interdisciplinary research, allowing us to peek curiously into the layers of ‘viral’ complexity.

The wild food section is full of newer members, Schleichera, Senna, Shorea, and Solena. They are fondly known as “Kusum” “Kusumi” “Chakor” “Chakunda” “Sal” and in many other less-known local names and are famous for coloring dye, lac cultivation, timber, and medicinal uses; but also modestly known in the culinary world. Findings like seeds as a beverage, young leaves as vegetables, fruits as pickles tickle our taste buds and diversify our food choice.

On a similar note, glimpses of nature present the beetlewing art, the flip side of geographical indication tag, an interesting fossil study on the abolishment of the marine ecosystem, and flowers as the pest controllers.

Wish you a happy reading.