2 days ago
Hermann Gundert Award presented
K. Jayakumar, former Chief Secretary and former Vice-Chancellor of Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, said German missionary and linguist Hermann Gundert did not reject local beliefs, but rather explained the scientific principles behind them.
Speaking about Gundert's social contributions at a seminar organised by the Hermann Gundert Educational Foundation at the Chavara Cultural Centre in Kozhikode on Friday (June 13, 2025), Mr. Jayakumar said the linguist had been a bridge between Eastern and Western knowledge systems. 'Be like Gundert; be intellectually free; be curious,' he added.
Mr. Jayakumar also presented the Hermann Gundert Award, instituted by the foundation, to writer Vallikavu Mohandas for his book Missionaries' Kerala (Missionarykalude Keralam). The foundation's vice-chairman Chacko Kalamparambil presided over the session.
