Latest news with #PrasantaChandraMahalanobis
India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Statistics Day celebrated to commemorate birth anniversary of Prof PC Mahalanobis
New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): In recognition of the remarkable contributions made by Professor (Late) Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis to the field of statistics and economic planning, the Government has designated his birth day, June 29, as Statistics Day. The primary objective of celebrating this Day is to raise public awareness, particularly among the younger generation, about the pivotal role of statistics in policy formulation for national development, the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation said in a release on Sunday. As per the release, the celebration for the 19th Statistics Day was held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on Sunday. The theme for 19th Statistics Day was '75 Years of National Sample Survey', highlighting the enduring legacy and impact of the National Sample Survey in strengthening the statistical system of the country. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Rao Inderjit Singh, the Chief Guest of the event, in his address, paid tribute to Prof Mahalanobis and highlighted the significance of the dual milestone; the celebration of Statistics Day and the 75th year of the National Sample Survey (NSS). He spoke about the transformation of the statistical system through the use of technological tools for real-time data monitoring. He emphasised the need for methodological reforms such as updated sampling techniques, integrated survey frameworks, and harmonisation with international standards. He expressed the commitment of the ministry for inclusive engagement through consultations and capacity-building initiatives with State Governments. Union Minister lauded MoSPI's transparent and inclusive approach and urged the statistical community to support the national vision of a transparent and ever-improving National Statistical Office. He concluded by appreciating the dedication of statisticians and field functionaries of the ministry, as per the release. Delivering the welcome address, Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, reflected on the NSS's remarkable journey and its evolution into one of the world's most robust and trusted statistical systems. Dr Garg highlighted the various reforms undertaken during this journey, which started in 1950. Time reduction in publication of survey results and availability of data at more granular level with higher frequency, digital transformation undertaken in various work sphere from data collection through CAPI to its Dissemination through eSankhyiki portal having more than 135 million records, a dedicated data visualisation section on the website for demystifying the complex data, mainstreaming of alternative data sources including administrative statistics in the official statistics system were some of the reform initiatives. Dr. Garg emphasised in his welcome speech. He also mentioned that MoSPI's focus on data dissemination through technology has changed the paradigm of data-driven policymaking en route to Viksit Bharat. Dr Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, Chairman of the National Statistical Commission (NSC), in his address, mentioned the history of the Indian Statistical system and the valued contributions of Dr PC Mahalanobis to its development. He congratulated MoSPI for their efforts in modernising the Statistical system and thereby supporting data and evidence-based policy making. He underscored that statistical agencies can greatly contribute to other areas of governance, such as creating a uniform methodology for normalising scores in various online competitive exams and validating online voting. Such an initiative will create public trust in the government and will facilitate smooth governance. Approximately 700 participants, including Senior officers from central ministries and Departments, State and UT Governments, representatives from international organisations such as UN agencies, and other key stakeholders, attended the event. The event also featured a documentary on the ministry's activities, the release added. (ANI)
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
‘Statistics play key role in planning'
Lucknow: Experts elaborated the significance of statistics in national planning and policymaking during a programme organized at Lucknow University to mark Statistics Day 2025. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The event was organized by regional and zonal office of the National Statistical Office in collaboration with the department of statistics, University of Lucknow, to mark the birth anniversary of Late Prof Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. Head of statistics department at LU Prof Masood H Siddiqui welcomed the participants. The event was inaugurated with the address by deputy director general, zonal office, Manoj Kumar, and director general, economic and statistical division, Selva Kumari. Chief guest pro-vice chancellor, Prof Manuka Khanna highlighted the deeper aspects of statistics. A poster competition and a quiz competition were also organized.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
MoSPI launches GoIStats app for easy access to official statistics
The National Sample Survey Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), on Sunday launched the GoIStats mobile application, an all-encompassing data ecosystem for seamless access to official data. The application features an interactive "Key Trends" dashboard showcasing important socio-economic indicators with dynamic visualizations of critical metrics including GDP, inflation, employment data. Currently the android version of the mobile application is available free of charge on google play store. The iOS version will be released shortly, an official statement said. Advanced filtering and search capabilities with comprehensive metadata, and mobile-optimized data tables are also available for seamless viewing. In another statement, MOSPI said on the occasion of 19th Statistics Day, on June 29, it released publications on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These publications are the National Indicator Framework Progress Report, 2025; Data Snapshot on Sustainable Development Goals National Indicator Framework, Progress Report, 2025; and Sustainable Development Goals National Indicator Framework, 2025. In recognition of the remarkable contributions made by Professor (Late) Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis to the field of statistics and economic planning, the government of India has designated his birthday June 29, as Statistics Day. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Rao Inderjit Singh, paid tribute to Mahalanobis and highlighted the significance of the dual milestone; the celebration of Statistics Day and the 75th year of the National Sample Survey (NSS). He spoke about the transformation of the statistical system through technological tools for real-time data monitoring. He also emphasised on the need for methodological reforms such as updated sampling techniques, integrated survey frameworks, and harmonization with international standards. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI mentioned that MoSPI's focus on data dissemination through use of technology has changed the paradigm of data driven policy making en-route to Viksit Bharat. To commemorate 75 years of NSS, a commemorative coin of NSS and a customized Stamp, symbolizing the enduring 75 years of legacy of the NSS was released. As per the SDG NIF progress report 2025 the population covered by social protection systems/floors has increased from 22 per cent in 2016 to 64.3 per cent in 2025, indicating substantial expansion in social security coverage in the country. Besides, the gross value added in agriculture per worker has increased from Rs 61,247 in 2015-16, to Rs 94,110 in 2024-25, indicating improved agricultural productivity and income per worker in the country. Percentage of population using an improved drinking water source in rural areas has increased from 94.57 per cent in 2015-16 to 99.62 per cent in 2024-25, indicating significant progress towards universal safe water access in rural India. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Nat'l Statistics Day: Arunachal highlights 75 years of NSS
Itanagar: The state department of economics and statistics on Saturday celebrated the 19th National Statistics Day at the Golden Jubilee Banquet Hall, commemorating the birth anniversary of renowned statistician, professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Based on the theme of '75 Years of National Sample Survey,' the celebrations highlighted the pivotal role played by the National Sample Survey (NSS) in fostering evidence-based policymaking, since its inception in 1950. Speaking at the event, Rajiv Gandhi University vice-chancellor professor SK Nayak lauded the field officers for their vital role in raising awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and national development. "Field-level functionaries are the backbone of our statistical ecosystem. They not only collect crucial data, but also drive community engagement through awareness activities like seminars, quizzes and debates, especially targeting the youth," he said. Bebing Megu, the state director of economics and statistics, paid tribute to professor Mahalanobis for his monumental contribution to the field of statistics. Mahalanobis, often considered the "Father of Indian Statistics," is renowned for developing the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure used in cluster analysis and pattern recognition, and for his instrumental role as a member of India's first planning commission, where he significantly influenced the second five-year plan.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
National Statistics Day: 5 things about PC Mahalanobis, who could decipher the stories data tells
June 29 is celebrated as National Statistics Day. It is the birth anniversary of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, the father of statistics in India. Known as 'The Professor', Mahalanobis played a key role in setting up the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Kolkata and the Planning Commissions of independent India. Among his many gifts, the one that benefitted India the most was the ability to accurately and efficiently read the stories that datasets contain. Born in Kolkata in 1893 to an influential Brahmo Samaj family, Mahalanobis studied at Presidency College before leaving for London for further studies. However, he came back to India and spent his life in both setting up statistics — the science of collecting and reading data — as an academic discipline, and applying the academic knowledge to practical scenarios. Here are five snapshots from his illustrious life that will tell you about his contributions, and why you should care about them. Brain behind India's sample surveys The National Sample Surveys that India conducts have long been admired the world over for the granular data they capture about households. This information, about income, employment status, health status, consumption habits, etc. then informs policy decisions. It was Mahalanobis who in 1950 helped launch the first such survey. Nobel laureate economist Angus Deaton with co-author Valerie Kozel wrote in 2005: 'Where Mahalanobis and India led, the rest of the world has followed, so that today, most countries have a recent household income or expenditure survey… Most countries can only envy India in its statistical capacity.' In a country as huge and diverse as India, it was very difficult to get an idea of the actual living conditions of people across the length and breadth of the country. Mahalanobis did pioneering work in efficient sample surveys, which basically involve collecting information from small representative samples to get an accurate idea of the big picture. For example, interviewing a sample of say 50 families from rural and urban areas, of different religious, caste and economic backgrounds, living in different geographical conditions, can give a reasonably good idea of how the country at large is earning, spending, and living. India has Mahalanobis to thank for coming up with a method to do this and then implementing that method. In the world of statistics, Mahalanobis is best known for coming up with the 'Mahalanobis Distance' in 1936, which is still used for understanding and analysing data. Put very simply, the Mahalanobis Distance tells you how far from the normal or ideal a certain piece of data is. For example, suppose a survey looks at households with comparable incomes in a certain region and the health of the children in these households. All the children are likely to be at different levels of height, weight, haemoglobin, etc. The Mahalanobis distance can look at all these variables — income, health indicators — and flag if a child is an outlier, like being remarkably stunted for an affluent household. Two chance happenings Two of the most important decisions in Mahalanobis's life were made due to a missed train and a delayed boat. In 1913, after graduating from Calcutta's Presidency College, he went to England to study BSc. at the University of London. He made a trip to Cambridge, where he was awe-struck by the chapel of King's College. He then happened to miss the train back to London, and stayed the night at a friend's house. 'In the friend's house he met a student who was studying at King's College and, hearing that Mahalanobis found the chapel so attractive, suggested he apply to study there. Remarkably, he was interviewed the next day and offered a place,' MacTutor, a mathematicians' biographies collection maintained by the University of St Andrews, Scotland, says. Mahalanobis's tryst with statistics also happened by chance. His boat to India had been delayed due to World War I, so he had some extra time to spend in the library of King's College. Here, he came across the journal Biometrika. '…fascinated by what he read, he bought a complete set of volumes and took them back to India…He saw that statistics was a new science connected with measurements and their analysis…This was the turning point in his scientific career,' the MacTutor article says about Mahalanobis. Similar to Biometrika, Mahalanobis started the journal Sankhya in India. Work in flood prevention When Mahalanobis passed away in 1972, the great statistician CR Rao wrote his obituary for the Indian National Science Academy, and talked about Mahalanobis's early work related to floods in Bengal and Odisha. In 1922, a flood devastated North Bengal. The government was considering building expensive retarding basins to hold up the flood waters when the problem was referred to Mahalanobis. 'A statistical study of rainfall and floods extending over a period of 50 years showed that the proposed retarding basins would be of no value in controlling floods in North Bengal. The real need was improvement of rapid drainage… Specific remedies were recommended, many of which were implemented and proved effective,' Rao wrote. Mahalanobis made a similar study for Odisha in 1926, where an expert committee had concluded that the bed of the river Brahmini had risen, leading to floods. The statistical study by Mahalanobis 'covering a period of about sixty years showed that no change had occurred in the river bed, and the construction of dams for holding up of excessive flood water in the upper reaches of the river would provide an effective control,' Rao wrote. Mahalanobis even provided the first calculations for a dam project on the Mahanadi, 'which formed the basis of the Hirakud Hydroelectric Project inaugurated about thirty years later in 1957,' Rao wrote. In the 1950s, Mahalanobis was trying hard to get the new American computer, the UNIVAC, to India. In the book 'Planning Democracy', Nikhil Menon, professor at the University of Notre Dame, writes that the Americans were refusing his request because of Mahalanobis's political beliefs. 'India was unable to get a digital computer from the United States through the 1950s partly because of Mahalanobis' reputation as a Soviet sympathiser during the Cold War…The Indian government, like the Professor, remained unaware that the person spearheading the mission to bring computers to India was himself an obstacle,' Menon wrote. Menon quotes President of Brooklyn College, Harry Gideonse, to describe the 'threat' the Americans believed Mahalanobis was. Gideonse in a report described Mahalanobis as a person of 'exceptional personal charm and broad cultural background'. 'To me, Mahalanobis is far more significant than straight communist propaganda. He has personal and moral authority, apparent integrity, and an impressive command of relevant information. His ideas are in my judgment a direct preparation for an authoritative solution to India's economic problems,' Gideonse wrote.
