Micchami Dukkadam.

A partner of ours in India sent us something this week that made us stop.

It was a note for Samvatsari, the Jain day of forgiveness, ending with the words Micchami Dukkadam — "If I have hurt you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or deed, I seek your forgiveness."

We are not often asked to apologise in business. But the idea behind this day — that even unintended harm deserves to be acknowledged, and that asking to be forgiven is a mark of strength rather than weakness — is one we think applies to our work too. What we manufacture eventually reaches patients. That is not a responsibility we hold lightly.

To our partners observing this day: we hope it brings you peace.

And to anyone we work with — if we have ever fallen short, please tell us. We would rather know.

Micchami Dukkadam.