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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kolkata's Indian Statistical Institute marks Mahalanobis's birth anniversary, celebrates 75 years of NSS
By Shambhavi Pandey The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata, commemorated the 132nd birth anniversary of its founder, Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, on Sunday. Observed nationally as Statistics Day and internally as Workers' Day, the celebration this year focused on '75 Years of the National Sample Survey,' one of Mahalanobis's most enduring contributions to India's statistical infrastructure. The ceremony opened with faculty, students and guests garlanding Mahalanobis's bust and planting a sapling on the Amrapali Lawn. Dr. Paramita Das, recalling the early resistance Mahalanobis faced in establishing statistics as a discipline, quoted Sir Ronald Fisher and highlighted current infrastructural constraints at ISI. In her address, Director Professor Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay called for honest self-assessment and urged the community to recognise ISI's global impact in data science. Dean of Studies Dr. Biswabrata Pradhan emphasised the need to close funding gaps and expand international collaborations to strengthen the Institute's world standing. Chief guest Professor Shrikrishna Gopalrao Dani, a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar laureate, lauded Mahalanobis's visionary planning work, likening him to the divine architect Vishwakarma. He also praised ISI's willingness to confront its challenges openly. Former faculty member Professor Manoranjan Pal offered personal recollections of Mahalanobis's mentorship and institutional leadership, underscoring his dual legacy as scholar and builder. Cultural performances by ISI club members followed, and the gathering concluded with a collective rendition of the national anthem. Speakers agreed that preserving Mahalanobis's spirit of scientific service, equity and national progress must guide the Institute's path forward. (Shambhavi Pandey is an intern at the Kolkata office of The Indian Express)
Indian Express
3 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.
News18
4 days ago
- General
- News18
National Statistics Day 2025: Who Is The Father Of Statistics In India?
National Statistics Day 2025: Celebrated on June 29, this day honour Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, the father of Indian statistics. National Statistics Day 2025: The National Statistics Day will be celebrated across India on Sunday, June 29, to honour the legacy of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. Widely regarded as the father of Indian statistics, Mahalanobis is remembered for laying the foundation of the modern statistical system in the country. His pioneering work includes the establishment of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) and the National Sample Survey (NSS). National Statistics Day 2025: History & Significance The National Statistics Day was first celebrated in India in 2007. It marks the birth anniversary of the father of Indian statistics, PS Mahalanobis, who was born on June 29, 1893, in Calcutta (now Kolkata). He played a central role in India's second five-year plan, focusing on prudent industrialisation through a statistics model. Mahalanobis laid the foundation for the Indian Statistical Institute in 1931, with the institution later becoming a global hub for statistical research. The day fondly recalls Mahalanobis' monumental achievements in the field of statistics and raises awareness about its role in different fields such as policy making, economic welfare, planning and everyday life. Seminars and workshops are conducted by students and teachers in various educational institutions apart from data literacy campaigns. National Statistics Day 2025: Theme The theme for this year is '75 Years of National Sample Survey,'. It underscores the critical role of the National Sample Survey (NSS) in providing reliable and timely statistical data that supports evidence-based decision-making and governance in India. The theme will highlight the role of statistics in influencing a more equitable, resilient and environmentally conscious future. The message is to emphasize that data can act as a catalyst to drive sustainable and inclusive policies for important issues like climate change, education, poverty reduction and medical and social welfare. Moving to a statistics-driven governance model will give the government and various institutions reliable data in the formulation of programs and policies, which would then address regional disparity and help empower different communities while taking the country to a digital and economic transformation. National Statistics Day 2025: Quotes 'Statistics are the triumph of the quantitative method, and the quantitative method is the victory of sterility and death." – Hilaire Belloc 'Without data, you're just another person with an opinion." – W. Edwards Deming 'The best thing about being a statistician is that you get to play in everyone's backyard." – John Tukey 'Statistical thinking will one day be as necessary for efficient citizenship as the ability to read and write." – H.G. Wells 'Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are pliable." – Mark Twain 'If your experiment needs a statistician, you need a better experiment." – Ernest Rutherford 'All the statistics in the world can't measure the warmth of a smile." – Chris Hart. About the Author Bhaswati Sengupta First Published: June 29, 2025, 07:10 IST Latest News What Is Matcha? Sanya Malhotra Says 'Tu Chahiye' But Ankush Bahuguna Thinks It's 'Mehendi Ka Pani' Viral Bollywood Ibrahim Ali Khan Hangs Out With Saif Ali Khan, Taimur Plays Cricket With Jeh In Family Vacation Pics Cricket On This Day In 2002: Yuvraj Singh's All-Round Heroics Against England World 'Unacceptable': US Condemns Threats Against IAEA Chief, Urges Iran To Ensure Personnel Safety India 'Why Did She Go There?' TMC MLA Sparks Outrage With Remark On Kolkata Law Student Rape Case latest news
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
M. Krishnamurthy to speak at Chicago university conference
The University of Chicago Library will host the 20th International Open Repositories Conference (IORC) from June 15–18, 2025. The theme of this year's conference is 'Twenty Years of Progress, a Future of Possibilities.' M. Krishnamurthy, professor, Indian Statistical Institute, Bengaluru, has been invited to speak at the event. He has also been selected as one of the fellows of the University of Chicago, U.S. During the conference, he will deliver a lecture on Research Data Management in Social Science.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Showcase your expertise
I am pursuing Social Science. My UG degree was International Relations, and Master's was Political Science. What are the potential career options in teaching in India and abroad? What skills do I need to develop? Dheeraj Dear Dheeraj, Your academic background is a strong asset. Potential career options in India include teaching in government and private schools (the latter could be affiliated to Indian or international boards), universities and colleges, coaching or tutoring, and curriculum development or creation of educational content. Abroad, you can teach at schools if you complete specific certifications that are prerequisites in those countries. Work on becoming a subject matter expert, and stay updated on current events. Understand and apply pedagogical skills such as lesson planning, delivery, classroom management and differentiated instruction. Work on your verbal and written communication and active listening. Use technology to create digital content and build a skillset in software proficiency. Develop interpersonal skills, research and analytical skills and a deep understanding of cultural sensitivity. Also, explore online teaching, work with NGOs and think tanks, and build an online presence by creating a professional website or blog to showcase your expertise and teaching philosophy to help you stand out. I am in the final year of B.A. Economics. I want to do a PG in Economics and Econometrics. Are there any good institutions? Also will it help to pursue courses in computers? Sethu Dear Sethu, Some of India's top institutions, known for their Economics and Econometrics programmes are Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Delhi and Kolkata; Delhi School of Economics (DSE); Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), Mumbai; Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU); Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) Delhi, Kanpur, and Kharagpur; and Madras School of Economics (MSE), Chennai. Computer skills are essential for Econometrics (as it relies on statistical software such as R, Python, and Stata). Proficiency in these tools is crucial for data analysis and model building and will broaden your job prospects. I have completed BBA but am not sure what to do next. I am interested in stock market trading. Are there any courses on the stock market, especially futures and option trading? Viswa Dear Viswa, The National Stock Exchange (NSE) Academy offers a range of courses including futures and options trading, and provides industry-recognised certifications. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Institute also offers courses related to the stock market, including derivatives trading that cater to different levels of experience. The National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) offers certification exams that are mandatory for certain roles in the securities market. Online platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and edx offering a variety of courses on finance, investing, and trading. Zerodha, a popular brokerage platform in India, provides free educational modules on various aspects of the stock market, including futures and options. Investopedia is another valuable online resource to learn about financial terms and concepts. Many brokerage firms offer educational resources and seminars on trading. However, be cautious and ensure that the information is unbiased and genuine. Before trading with real money, practice with a demo account to get a feel for the market and test your strategies. Start small and gradually increase your investment as you gain experience. The stock market is constantly evolving and dynamic. So, it is essential to stay updated with the latest trends and developments. Futures and options trading involves significant risk, so understand the potential losses before you start trading. Be wary of 'get-rich-quick' schemes, scams and unrealistic promises. I completed (Hons) Agriculture and worked in an e-commerce supplier. Now I am looking after operations and finance in two retail shops in my family business. This has got me interested in finance, and I took up a certification in Investment Banking. Should I look for entry-level jobs in the investment sector or try for CFA Level 1? Raghul Dear Raghul, Entry-level jobs in the investment sector will help you gain practical experience, build a professional network, and learn from experienced professionals. However, these positions are highly competitive, and your non-traditional background may require you to put in extra effort to showcase your skills. But the CFA Level 1 CFA Level 1 is a globally recognised qualification and will significantly enhance your credibility and showcase a strong commitment to finance, thereby increasing your chances of landing better jobs. However, it will require significant time and effort for preparation and does not guarantee a job. Start preparing for the exam while actively seeking entry-level jobs. Leverage your experience in managing finances and operations in your family business, and highlight your ability to analyse financial data and make informed decisions. Connect with professionals in the investment sector. Customise your resume to highlight relevant skills and experience. Emphasise your analytical skills, financial acumen, and ability to learn quickly. Gain proficiency in financial software and tools, and improve your communication and presentation skills. Consider internships to gain relevant experience and make connections.
