Press release - Merck India

Press release
Vaijayanti Karande
Tel. +91 98207 96857 / +91 22 6660 9194
vaijayanti.karande@merckgroup.com
Reena Bajaj | Archit Ambekar
Tel. +91 98190 10115 / +91 98191 28483
reena@communicateindia.com |
archit@communicateindia.com
August 20, 2013
The Performance Materials Division of Merck [India] launches a
Consumer Awakening Campaign in Bangalore
• ‘Say No to Sab Chalta Hai’ aims at empowering the citizens and bringing
about sustainable change
Mumbai, August 20, 2013 – The Performance Materials division of Merck [India] today
announced the launch of ‘Say No to Sab Chalta Hai’, a one of a kind consumer
awakening campaign in Bangalore. This campaign aims at bringing about a shift in
mindset; inspire individuals and the community into action; and create a platform where
everyone, regardless of gender, age or circumstance, can participate.
Say No to Sab Chalta Hai would be addressing four causes namely:
• Say No to bribery
• Say No to crime against women
• Say No to infrastructure issues
• Say No to spurious/wrong products and false claims
- Use Safer Products
- Buy Genuine Products
- Have Better Products with Better Possibilities

Press release
Lasting social change cannot be brought about by an individual or by one company but
by large-scale cross-sector coordination. This one-of-a-kind initiative would, thus, entail
bringing together an ecosystem of NGOs, Society Influencers, Corporates, Experts,
Youth and Citizens. The campaign aims to bring about a paradigm shift in the attitude
of the citizens of Bangalore by spreading awareness and empowering them. This
would be achieved by organising:
• Seminars to educate women about their rights and existing legislative procedures
• Water conservation workshops
• Workshops educating the youth about corruption, bribery and how to overcome it
• Self defence workshops and cleanliness drives to spur action
• Waste segregation and eco-friendly disposal seminars/ workshops
• Active pledging sessions (to save water, to not bribe, to stop littering) in order to
garner greater responsibility
The Performance Materials division of Merck [India] has brought on board several well
known individuals and organisations to facilitate this campaign; they include:
• Mr. Santosh Hegde; former Justice of the Supreme Court of India
• Ms. Pramila Nesargi; advocate and a vocal women's rights activist and former
Chairperson of Karnataka Women's Commission
• Guru Franklin Joseph; (‘Dr. Safety’); Specialist in Girl-Child / Women Safety
Awareness & Psychological Empowerment against Crime, Violence & Sexual
Abuse, Krav Maga Israeli Self Defence Guru and Speaker on Women Safety with
70+ corporate like Infosys, CISCO, Yahoo, Myntra, ABB etc.
• Arghyam; a grant-making foundation focused on ground water and sanitation
• AIESEC; the world's largest student-run organisation working towards world
peace and fulfilment of human potential
• The Alternative; a platform for sustainable living that strives to make social good
an everyday conversation
Citizens can voice their concerns and raise issues for which they would receive
guidance from experts, influencers and specialist NGOs who support this initiative.
Creation of location-specific leaders and volunteers would contribute towards effective
implementation and follow up.
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Press release
Commenting on the initiative, Siddhartha Sengupta, Regional Sales Director Asia
(Decoratives) said, “How often have we come across people who wish to serve society,
make a difference; but perhaps not have the resources to go about it This campaign
invites everyone, regardless of gender, age or circumstance, to participate and
volunteer in bringing about change. We, at the Performance Materials division at Merck
[India], believe that the best way to be a catalyst of change is to work closely with the
citizens themselves; by understanding common problems, enhancing awareness,
encouraging participation and reinforcing the commitment to the society. By this
campaign we hope to create more informed, more aware and more responsible
citizens, who will be torch bearers of change in our quest for a better life the years to
follow.”
About Merck
Merck is a leading pharmaceutical, chemical and life science company with total revenues of
EUR 11.2 billion in 2012, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approximately
38,000 employees in 66 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from
entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck
KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and shareholders own
the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated
and has been an independent company ever since. (For more information, please log on to
www.merck.de)
Merck in India Merck Limited (formerly E. Merck Limited) was set up in India as the first Merck
subsidiary in Asia in 1967. The Merck Group has been operating in India through appointed
agents since a little before the turn of the twentieth century. The Company operates both its
Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals businesses in the country. Merck was also the first Merck
Group Company to go public in the year 1981. The Merck Group now holds 51.8% of the share
capital in Merck Limited, while the remaining 48.2% is traded on the Bombay Stock Exchange
Ltd. and National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. Merck Specialities Pvt. Ltd., the wholly owned
Indian subsidiary of Merck KGaA, was incorporated in 2005. In 2009, Merck acquired Bangalore
Genei to become one of the leading bioscience entities in India. (For more details, please visit
www.merck.co.in)
About Performance Materials
Merck’s Performance Materials division offers highly innovative materials, advanced
technologies, and high-tech chemicals to clients in the consumer electronics, lighting, printing,
plastics, and cosmetics industries. Our market leader products include liquid crystals for LCD
displays, new lighting technologies, and functional and effect pigments.
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