Pro. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis: Father of Indian Statistics, whose data shaped the future of the country

New Delhi. Today National Statistics Day is being celebrated across the country. This day is dedicated to the father of modern Indian statistics, Prof. Prasanta Chandra is celebrated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahalanobis. He did not allow statistics to remain merely a science of data, but made it a strong basis for the country’s development, economic planning and policy making.

Born on 29 June 1893 in Kolkata, Prof. Mahalanobis studied Physics from Presidency College. After this, while studying at Cambridge University, his interest moved towards statistics and he dedicated his life to this field. After returning to India, in the year 1931, he established the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), which is today counted among the major statistics and research institutes of the world.

Pro. Mahalanobis’s most famous contribution ‘Mahalanobis Distance’ Which is also used today in modern fields like Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Additionally, he played an important role in the introduction of the National Sample Survey (NSS) in the year 1950, the data of which still forms the basis of the government’s social and economic policies.

of independent india second five year plan Was also based on his economic model. Through this plan, priority was given to the development of heavy industries in the country, which played an important role in deciding the direction of India’s industrialization. He published the International Research Journal in 1933. ‘Number’ Also started, which is still included among the prestigious magazines of the statistics world.

Pro. Mahalanobis was one of the key advisors of the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. His scientific thinking and concept of evidence-based policy making gave new direction to the development plans of independent India. For his contribution, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Vibhushan in the year 1968. He died on 28 June 1972, the day before his 79th birthday.

The Government of India started celebrating National Statistics Day on 29 June every year on his birth anniversary from the year 2007. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of official statistics, inspire youth towards data science and research, and promote evidence-based policy making.

Today when India digital economy And ‘Developed India’ is progressing rapidly towards the goal, then Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis’ message is more relevant than ever. He believed that the foundation of strong policies could be laid only on reliable data. This thinking still remains the guiding light in deciding the direction of India’s development.

On the occasion of National Statistics Day, various educational institutions and government organizations across the country organized seminars, lectures and competitions. Mahalanobis’s contribution is being remembered.