Merck-Tagore Award 2023

Merck, a leading science and technology company, in collaboration with Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan, the official cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, recently presented Professor Dr. Ram Adhar Mall with the prestigious fifth Merck-Tagore Award during a celebratory event held at the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Bangalore on October 20, 2023.

The jury of the fifth edition of the Merck-Tagore Award consisted of Björn Ketels, Director, Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai, Achim Fabig, Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, Mumbai, Sreenath Narayanaiah, Managing Director, Merck Life Science Pvt. Ltd. as well as Martin Kämpchen, First recipient of Merck Tagore Award.

The celebratory event in Bangalore to felicitate Dr. Ram Adhar Mall, was graced by Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board and the Family Board of E. Merck KG, Pratima Reddy, the Country Speaker of Merck India, Dr. Michael Heinst, Director, Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Bangalore and Achim Burkart, Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, Bangalore.

The pioneer of Intercultural Philosophy, Dr. Mall has been recognised for his contribution to intercultural exchange between India and Germany. He is the Founder and President of the global Society for Intercultural Philosophy and serves as a co-editor for the publication Studies on Intercultural Philosophy.

Hailing from Mumbai, Dr. Ram Adhar Mall, pursued his academic interests in philosophy and the history of psychology of India and Europe. He has taught at a number of German universities and is currently dedicated to presenting a unique comparative survey of various philosophical systems. Dr. Mall now lives in the Bonn and continues to be active as a visiting professor, offering several talks. He has also written a number of works that have been published by prestigious German publishing houses.

During his acceptance speech, which was about Rabindranath Tagore and Intercultural Philosophical Orientation, Dr. Mall proposed an intercultural philosophical orientation in curriculum, teaching, and research. He later added, ''I am very happy that the work that I have done till now has received recognition and it got recognition in a way that is both German and Indian!''

Pratima Reddy, added, ''Curiosity plays a vital role in nurturing a scientific mindset, and the realms of art, culture, and literature act as catalysts, igniting and sustaining this curiosity. In line with our core values, Merck takes great pride in the Merck-Tagore Award, which celebrates accomplishments in the humanities. It is our distinct honour at Merck to bestow the award upon Professor Dr. Ram Adhar Mall, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting intercultural exchange between India and Germany.''

Addressing the audience in Bangalore, Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp said, "The foundation of Merck’s success is scientific progress and technological innovation. These depend on curious minds – and on an open exchange of thoughts and ideas across borders and cultural boundaries. Literature and philosophy can be strong catalysts of exactly this. They let us see things from a different perspective. They can open the door to new ways of thinking and to a better understanding of our world. As challenges from climate change to diseases urgently require solutions on a global scale, intercultural dialogue has never been more important. In other words, Rabindranath Tagore's legacy is more relevant than ever today."

The Merck-Tagore Award, sponsored by Merck India, and granted by the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan India, was introduced in 2011 to honour the life and work of Rabindranath Tagore. This award is one of four literary prizes sponsored and promoted by Merck on a global basis. It is granted to writers and scholars who have made a special contribution to cultural exchange between Germany and India.

Merck has a historical connection with Rabindranath Tagore. Within the Merck family, Elisabeth Wolff-Merck took on the task of translating Tagore's theatrical piece 'Chitra' from English into German. Her husband, Kurt Wolff, played a pivotal role in publishing Tagore's works in Germany, contributing significantly to the poet's recognition and acclaim in this country.