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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)
NDTV
04-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Bengal ISC Topper Drops Her Surname, Says 'Humanism' Only Religion
Kolkata: Srijani, the ISC topper from West Bengal who scored a perfect 400 out of 400, chose not to retain her surname when filing her examination form saying the decision stemmed from her belief in a society free from distinctions based on caste, creed, religion and gender. The student of Future Foundation School in South Kolkata achieved a flawless 100 in all her subjects. Despite the intense academic schedule, she found time to participate in the Women Reclaim the Night movement on August 14, following the rape-murder of an RG Kar medical student. "As an individual, it was my decision - supported by my parents and sister. I believe in a society rising above divisions in caste, gender and religion, and beyond economic status. For me, a surname doesn't matter. I've always been known by my first name to my friends and loved ones. Why carry the baggage of a surname? I'm lucky to have the full support of my family," Srijani, the Ranikuthi resident in the city's Tollygunge area told PTI on Saturday. Her father Debashis Goswami, an Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) professor and a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, and mother Gopa Mukherjee, assistant professor of Gurudas College, were doubly proud for their daughter's feat as well as her principles and values. "Both my daughters uphold the values and beliefs we inculcated in them since birth. I myself don't use my husband's surname. When we applied for our daughters' birth certificates, we didn't include any surname. We envision a society free from the prejudices of patriarchy and chauvinism," Ms Mukherjee said. Ms Mukherjee, along with both her daughters, actively participated repeatedly during the R G Kar protests. "For me, walking with thousands of fellow citizens seeking justice for the RG Kar victim never conflicted with academic preparations," she said. Srijani, who aspires to pursue research in pure science like her father, said she never saw herself as the typical studious type. "Beyond study hours, I'd always find time for adda with my parents, sister and close friends," she said. When asked about her stance on religion, she added, "I wrote 'Humanism' in the slot for religion on the application form." An official from Future Foundation, Regent Park, noted, "We have no issue if a candidate wishes to opt out of a surname. This is perfectly within the law." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Perfect score, powerful stand: Bengal ISC topper Srijani drops surname for social justice
Kolkata, Srijani, the ISC topper from West Bengal who scored a perfect 400 out of 400, chose not to retain her surname when filing her examination form saying the decision stemmed from her belief in a society free from distinctions based on caste, creed, religion and gender. The student of Future Foundation School in South Kolkata achieved a flawless 100 in all her subjects. Despite the intense academic schedule, she found time to participate in the Women Reclaim the Night movement on August 14, following the rape-murder of an RG Kar medical student. "As an individual, it was my decision — supported by my parents and sister. I believe in a society rising above divisions in caste, gender and religion, and beyond economic status. For me, a surname doesn't matter. I've always been known by my first name to my friends and loved ones. Why carry the baggage of a surname? I'm lucky to have the full support of my family," Srijani, the Ranikuthi resident in the city's Tollygunge area told PTI on Saturday. Her father Debashis Goswami, an Indian Statistical Institute professor and a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, and mother Gopa Mukherjee, assistant professor of Gurudas College, were doubly proud for their daughter's feat as well as her principles and values. "Both my daughters uphold the values and beliefs we inculcated in them since birth. I myself don't use my husband's surname. When we applied for our daughters' birth certificates, we didn't include any surname. We envision a society free from the prejudices of patriarchy and chauvinism," Mukherjee said. Mukherjee, along with both her daughters, actively participated repeatedly during the R G Kar protests. "For me, walking with thousands of fellow citizens seeking justice for the RG Kar victim never conflicted with academic preparations," she said. Srijani, who aspires to pursue research in pure science like her father, said she never saw herself as the typical studious type. "Beyond study hours, I'd always find time for adda with my parents, sister and close friends," she said. When asked about her stance on religion, she added, "I wrote 'Humanism' in the slot for religion on the application form." An official from Future Foundation, Regent Park, noted, "We have no issue if a candidate wishes to opt out of a surname. This is perfectly within the law."
