Gs Paper-1
Syllabus: Post Independence
Context:
June 29, is national ‘Statistics Day’, in ‘recognition of the contributions made by Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, the ‘Plan Man’ of India.
Father of Indian statistics :
- Mahalanobis certainly believed data to be instrumental in efficient planning for national and human development.
- Mahalanobis established the Statistical Laboratory within the Baker Laboratory at Presidency College.
- In 1933, Mahalanobis founded Sankhyā, the Indian Journal of Statistics.
- Founded the Indian Statistical Institute.
His relations with Rabindranath Tagore:
- Seventeen-year-old Mahalanobis first met Tagore at Santiniketan in 1910.
- Mahalanobis wrote a series of essays titled ‘Rabindra Parichay’ (‘Introduction to Rabindra’) for the prestigious Bengali magazine, Probashi. He also wrote a book, Rabindranath Tagore’s Visit to Canada in 1929
- He not only served as a joint secretary of Visva Bharati for 10 years from the beginning but he was also a member of the governing body, executive council, academic council, and the agricultural board.
- Tagore’s dance drama, ‘Basanta’ (meaning ‘Spring’), had a premiere at the Calcutta University institute auditorium on Mahalanobis’ marriage day.
Values:
- Mahalanobis-type innovation, dedication, and diligence are much needed today.
Contribution to the World:
- The World Bank and the United Nations now use the methods pioneered by him.
