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Merck India hosts 5th Merck-Tagore Award: Honours Professor Dr. Ram Adhar Mall for promoting Intercultural Exchange between India and Germany

MUMBAI, India and BANGALORE, India, Oct. 26, 2023  /PRNewswire/ — Merck, a leading science and technology company, in collaboration with Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan India, the official cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, presented Professor Dr. Ram Adhar Mall with the prestigious fifth Merck-Tagore Award during a celebratory event held at the Goethe-Institute /Max Mueller Bhavan in Bangalore, India.

A pioneer of Intercultural Philosophy, Professor Mall was recognized for his contribution to the intercultural exchange between India and Germany. Professor Mall 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’.

Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board and the Family Board of E. Merck KG, handed over the award to Professor Ram Adhar Mall. Addressing the audience in Bangalore, 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 jury of the fifth edition of the Merck-Tagore Award consisted of Achim Fabig, Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, Mumbai, Bjorn Ketels, Director, Goethe-Institut /Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai, Sreenath Narayanaiah, Managing Director, Merck Life Science Pvt. Ltd. as well as Dr. Martin Kämpchen, the first recipient of the Merck-Tagore Award.

During his acceptance speech, which was about Rabindranath Tagore and Intercultural Philosophical Orientation, Dr Ram Adhar 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, Country Speaker, Merck India 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.”

About Professor Dr. Ram Adhar Mall, Winner of the Merck-Tagore Award 2023

Hailing from Mumbai, India, Professor Dr. Ram Adhar Mall pursued his academic career in philosophy and the history of psychology of India and Europe. He has taught at several German universities and is currently dedicated to presenting a unique comparative survey of various philosophical systems. Professor Dr. Mall now lives in the Bonn, Germany area and continues to be active as a visiting professor. Among the works he has published are ‘Philosophy in Comparison of Cultures’ and ‘Intercultural Philosophy – a New Orientation’ (Scientific Book Society, Darmstadt, Germany, 1995) as well as ‘Hinduism – Its position in the diversity of religions’ (Primus-Verlag, Darmstadt, Germany, 1997).

About the Merck-Tagore Award

The Merck-Tagore Award, sponsored by Merck India, and granted by the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan India, was introduced in 2012 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.

About Goethe-Institut

The Goethe-Institut (known in India as Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan) is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institute, active worldwide. It promotes the study of German abroad and encourages international cultural exchange. The Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan’s main areas of interest are determined in consultation with its Indian cooperation partners from the fields of art, science and media, from NGOs and select companies, with whom it jointly develops appropriate programmes and projects. The Institute’s activities range from film screenings, exhibitions, theatre performances and concerts to workshops and conferences particularly on innovative topics such as digital, AI and media art. The Institute also initiates and organises contacts and research/residency tours for Indian artists, scientists and journalists who wish to go to Germany, thereby supporting them as promoters of culture and paving the way for deeper international and cultural cooperation.

About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 64,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2022, Merck generated sales of € 22.2 billion in 66 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as Millipore Sigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.

All Merck news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/ subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

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HarperCollins India Brings Global Bestseller – Designing the Mind, to Indian Readers

Modern self-mastery manual to leading great lives, by Ryan A. Bush

NEW DELHI, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In a world saturated with quick fixes and surface-level self-help, HarperCollins India announces the release of Designing the Mind by Ryan A. Bush – an international bestseller that offers a powerful alternative: a systematic, deeply transformative approach to mastering the mind.

Positioned at the intersection of psychology, philosophy and self-optimization, the book introduces ‘psychitecture’: a methodical practice of redesigning the mind’s internal ‘software’ to achieve greater clarity, self-control and emotional tranquillity.

At its core, Designing the Mind challenges a fundamental assumption that thoughts, emotions and behaviours are fixed. Drawing from neuropsychology and the teachings of great thinkers, such as the Buddha, Marcus Aurelius, Friedrich Nietzsche and Abraham Maslow, Bush presents a compelling framework for consciously redesigning the mental patterns that shape lives.

Rather than offering fleeting motivation or prescriptive hacks, the book equips readers with a set of principles to step outside their own thinking and examine it as a system, one that can be understood, refined and ultimately rebuilt.

Talking about the book, Ryan A. Bush says, “I’m excited to bring Designing the Mind to India and introduce these principles to a whole new group of psychitects. India has one of the richest traditions of introspective inquiry in the world, and I think this book will find a natural home here.”

Sachin Sharma, Publisher, HarperCollins India, says, “One of humanity’s most profound questions is whether it is truly possible to rewire the brain. In Designing the Mind, Ryan Bush expertly blends practical exercises, actionable insights, and theoretical concepts to empower readers in engineering their own minds. We are thrilled to bring this international bestseller to Indian readers.”

About the book:

Neuropsychology suggests that the human mind is infinitely malleable and adaptable. It is known that it is possible to rewire emotions and build deep tranquility into human minds. It is also known that the biased beliefs and self-limiting habits that hold people back from their potential can be overcome. Yet when one actually seeks to modify and master the mind, they are usually met with shallow life hacks and fleeting fixes.

Fortunately, many great ancient philosophers left behind the open-source cognitive code for altering one’s own mental patterns and becoming the ideal self. Legendary thinkers like the Buddha, Marcus Aurelius, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Abraham Maslow have revealed the insights for building a brilliant mind, and award-winning systems designer, Ryan A. Bush, weaves them into a vital theory for helping individuals scale the heights of self-mastery and lead great lives.

About the author:

Ryan A. Bush is a designer and thinker focused on building better systems, better people, and a better future. As founder of Designing the Mind, Ryan’s central purpose is to provide wisdom education and expand human potential beyond the norm. Ryan’s background is in the design of systems – he works with tech startups to design and develop everything from patented physical products, to software, to buildings, to business models. But his most relevant credential is a lifelong appetite for introspective investigation, ravenous reading, and obsessive self-optimization. For more than a decade, Ryan has been studying the insights of ancient teachers, practical philosophers, and cognitive scientists. His ideas have been featured on major platforms like Lifehack and Modern Stoicism, and he has been a guest on podcasts with topics ranging from emotions to philosophy to motivation.

About HarperCollins India

At HarperCollins Publishers India, we believe in telling the best stories and ensuring they reach the widest readership. We publish around 250 new books every year across 10 imprints, adding to a diverse catalogue of more than 2,000 titles across print and digital formats. Our authors include APJ Abdul Kalam, Agatha Christie, Amish Tripathi, Amitav Ghosh (Erasmus Prize 2024), Jhumpa Lahiri, Paulo Coelho, Raghuram Rajan, Sudha Murty, Ruskin Bond and many more.

HarperCollins India has been honoured with seven Publisher of the Year awards and proudly represents global publishers such as Harvard University Press, Lonely Planet, Oneworld, Nosy Crow, Usborne and National Geographic Children.

We have also been certified as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years, a testament to our culture, creativity and people.

Contact

Kritika Nautiyal

Manager – Marketing 

Email: kritika.nautiyal@harpercollins.co.in

Mobile: +91 7895252058

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Agoda Highlights Cool Escapes Across India to Beat the Summer Heat

NEW DELHI, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the summer approaches across India, digital travel platform Agoda highlights a selection of refreshing hill stations and highland retreats offering cooler climates and scenic landscapes. From the Nilgiri Hills to the Himalayas, these destinations provide travelers with a welcome escape from the heat while showcasing India’s geographic diversity.

Travel interest for hill destinations typically increases between April and June as travelers seek milder temperatures, fresh air, and nature-led experiences. Agoda’s latest recommendations reflect a growing preference for quick getaways and lesser-crowded alternatives to traditional summer hotspots, with travelers prioritizing accessibility, weather comfort, and cultural depth.

In southern India, Coonoor offers a quieter alternative to the more frequented Ooty. Surrounded by tea plantations and rolling hills, the town’s temperate climate and colonial-era charm make it an appealing retreat. Visitors can explore viewpoints such as Dolphin’s Nose or take scenic walks through tea estates, where the cool breeze provides relief from the summer heat.

Also in Tamil Nadu, Yercaud sits within the Shevaroy Hills and remains one of the region’s more understated summer destinations. Known for its lake, coffee plantations, and shaded forests, Yercaud attracts travelers looking for a relaxed pace without long travel times. Its relatively lower altitude still offers a noticeable drop in temperature compared to nearby cities.

Further north, Lansdowne provides a serene Himalayan foothill experience. This cantonment town is characterized by pine forests, quiet walking trails, and panoramic mountain views. It offers an unhurried atmosphere and offbeat appeal to travelers seeking a quieter alternative to busier hill stations in Uttarakhand.

For those willing to travel farther, Ladakh offers a dramatic contrast to India’s summer heat. With high-altitude deserts, expansive landscapes, and cool daytime temperatures, Ladakh has become increasingly popular during summer months. Beyond its scenery, the region’s monasteries and local culture provide a deeper travel experience.

In Karnataka, Coorg, also known as Kodagu, remains a perennial favorite. Its mist-covered hills, coffee estates, and forested terrain create a consistently cool and refreshing environment. Seasonal rainfall further enhances its greenery, making it especially appealing for nature-focused travelers.

Western India offers its own escape in Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan. Surrounded by the Aravalli Range, Mount Abu provides a significant temperature drop compared to the desert plains. Attractions such as Nakki Lake and the Dilwara Temples combine natural beauty with cultural interest.

In the eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling continues to attract visitors with its cool climate and panoramic views of Kanchenjunga. Globally renowned for its premium tea, often referred to as the “Champagne of Teas,” Darjeeling holds a special appeal for travelers seeking both natural beauty and cultural richness. Its iconic tea gardens, heritage railways, and colonial architecture contribute to its enduring charm, while the elevation ensures comfortable temperatures even during peak summer.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda said, “Summer travel in India increasingly reflects a shift toward destinations that balance climate comfort with meaningful experiences. Hill stations and highland regions continue to resonate because they offer both immediate relief from the heat and a deeper connection to nature and local culture. At Agoda, we are passionate about helping travelers discover these unique places and create unforgettable memories. With our extensive range of accommodations and activities, we make it easy to plan the perfect travel experience.”

With over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda enables travelers to plan and combine every part of their journey in one place. Running from 7 May to 21 May, Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale will offer up to 60% off on hotel bookings, with a special flash sale of up to 70% on 19 May and exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from 3 May to 6 May. Discover more on Agoda’s mobile app or at Agoda.com.  

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Lumina Datamatics Wins IMC RBNQA – Performance Excellence Trophy 2025 in the Service Category

MUMBAI, India, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lumina Datamatics, a strategic partner to global publishers and eCommerce retailers, has won the IMC RBNQA – Performance Excellence Trophy 2025 in the Service category. The award was presented at a prestigious ceremony held at the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mumbai on 30th April 2026.

This esteemed recognition is part of the IMC Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality (RBNQ) Awards for 2025, one of India’s most respected benchmarks for organizational excellence. The award underscores Lumina Datamatics’ unwavering commitment to business excellence, quality-driven processes, and continuous performance improvement. Notably, Lumina Datamatics Limited is the only organization recognized in the service segment this year, representing excellence across the Business Process Management spectrum.

The selection followed a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process conducted by an eminent panel of judges, assessing organizations on key parameters such as leadership, strategy, customer focus, operational effectiveness, and overall business performance.

Speaking on the achievement, Sameer Kanodia, Managing Director & CEO, Lumina Datamatics, and Vice Chairman & CEO, TNQTech said, “We are deeply honored to receive this recognition. This achievement reflects the collective dedication, collaboration, and relentless focus on quality demonstrated by our teams across the organization. It reinforces our commitment to delivering consistent value to our clients worldwide while continuously striving for excellence in everything we do.”

The milestone highlights Lumina Datamatics’ strong foundation in operational excellence and its ongoing efforts to set new benchmarks in service delivery across global markets.

About Lumina Datamatics:

Lumina Datamatics is a trusted partner in providing digital Content Services, Retail Support Services, and Technology Solutions to companies in the Publishing and Retail Industries worldwide. We are among the largest service providers in the Content space, and our customers include 8 of the top 10 academic publishers and 3 of the 5 largest Retailers and Marketplaces. Lumina Datamatics’ expert solutions combine its various in-house and client-facing platforms, partnerships with global technology leaders, and more than 7,500 professionals across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Philippines, and India. This integrated global capability enables the company to deliver scalable, high-quality solutions to clients worldwide.

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