National Statistics day, 2021

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National Statistics Day is an annual event observed on June 29.

About National Statistics Day

Aim: Popularising the use of statistics in our daily lives as well as in creating national economic policies.
National Statistics Day is celebrated on June 29 on the birth anniversary of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis.
In 2006, the decision to celebrate this day was taken by the Indian government to honour the father of Indian statistics, Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis –a phenomenal Indian statistician, scientist.
This year’s National Statistics Day celebration marks the 128th birth anniversary of the Mahalanobis.
To emphasize the importance of statistics in the socio-economic framework, the National Statistics Day endeavours are directed towards educating, raising awareness among the public, and inspiring the younger generation.
Note: National Statistics Day not to be confused with the World Statistics Day date as the latter is celebrated every five years on October 20.

Theme 2021:

End Hunger, Achieve Food Security and Improved Nutrition and Promote Sustainable Agriculture (Sustainable Development Goal or SDG 2 of the UN) is the theme of this year’s National Statistics Day. Goal 2 seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security.

About P.C Mahalanobis(1893-1972)

The renowned scientist was born in Kolkata on June 29, 1893
He founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931 and contributed to the design of large-scale sample surveys.
In the next year, he launched Sankhya: The Indian Journal Of Statistics.
For his contributions, Mahalanobis has been considered the father of modern statistics in India.
He made pioneering studies in anthropometry(measurement of human individual) in India.
Professor was well-known for his several extraordinary contributions to statistics including :
- Mahalanobis Distance (a statistical measure)
- Large-scale sample surveys, and
- A statistical method called ‘Fractile Graphical Analysis’ (which is meant to compare socio-economic conditions of diverse groups).
With the objective of providing comprehensive socio-economic statistics, PC Mahalanobis had established the National Sample Survey in 1950.
He had also set up the Central Statistical Organization to coordinate statistical activities in the country.
Mahalanobis was instrumental in formulating India’s second five-year plan (1956-1961), which laid the blueprint for industrialisation and development in India.
His variant of Wassily Leontief’s Input-output model, the Mahalanobis model, was employed in the Second Five Year Plan, which worked towards the rapid industrialisation of India.
He was a pioneer in applying statistics to planning for flood control.
He analysed data regarding the floods in Odisha and published his findings in 1926. This analysis later formed the basis for the construction of the Hirakud dam on the Mahanadi River.
The Padma Vibhushan recipient was one of the members (1955-1967) in the Indian Planning Commission and was instrumental in designing India’s industrialization plans.
He is credited with calculating acreages and crop yields by using random sampling methods.
He died on June 28, 1972, a day before his 79th birthday.