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Statistics day

Topics Covered: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Statistics day:

Context:

Celebrated on 29th June every year.

  • Observed in recognition of the notable contributions made by Late Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of statistics, statistical system and economic planning.

 

Theme:

The theme of Statistics Day, 2021 is Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)– 2 (End Hunger, Achieve Food Security and Improved Nutrition and Promote Sustainable Agriculture).

 

Contribution of PC Mahalanonobis to Statistics (1893 –1972):

  1. He is referred to as the chief architect of Indian statistical system as well as father of statistical science in India.
  2. He established the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931 in Kolkata. The institute founded the journal Sankhya, along the lines of Karl Pearson’s Biometrika. In 1959 it was made an autonomous body of Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.
  3. He also helped in the establishment of Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), the National Sample Survey (NSS) and the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI).
  4. He introduced three key concepts to the theory and practice of sample surveys which are: Pilot surveys, Optimum survey design and Inter Penetrating Network of sub-samples technique (IPNS).
  5. In 1936 he introduced a statistical measure named the Mahalanobis distance. It is widely used in cluster analysis and classification techniques.
  6. The Mahalanobis model, was employed in the Second Five Year Plan, which worked towards the rapid industrialisation of India.

 

Insta Curious: 

Do you know about the mechanical tool built by Mahalanobis known as the photographic profiloscope to accurately measure people’s facial features? Read here

 

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

  1. About Statistics Day.
  2. About PC Mahalanonobis.
  3. About ISI and CSO.
  4. What is Inter Penetrating Network of sub-samples technique (IPNS)?
  5. What is the Mahalanonobis distance?

Sources: PIB.