Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, fondly known as the "father of Indian statistics," left an indelible mark on the fields of statistics and economic planning in India. His groundbreaking contributions, including the development of the Mahalanobis distance and the establishment of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), revolutionized the way data was analyzed and utilized for policy formulation and socio-economic planning. On the occasion of Statistics Day, celebrated annually on June 29, we commemorate the birth anniversary of this visionary statistician and honor his enduring legacy.

Early Life and Education:

Born on June 29, 1893, Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis was the eldest son of Probodh Chandra Mahalanobis and Nirodbashini Devi. Growing up in a family deeply committed to education and social reform, Mahalanobis received his early schooling at the renowned Brahmo Boys' School, founded by his grandfather Guru Charan Mahalanobis. His academic journey led him to Presidency College, where he initially pursued physics. During his time at the prestigious King's College in Cambridge, he had the privilege of crossing paths with the mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, a meeting that left an indelible impression on him.

Career and Contributions:

Upon returning to India, Mahalanobis embarked on a distinguished career that spanned several decades. He began as a physics lecturer at Presidency College in 1922, simultaneously serving as a meteorologist at the Alipore Observatory in Calcutta (now Kolkata). However, his passion for statistics led him to form a group of like-minded individuals interested in the field. This group eventually blossomed into the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), which Mahalanobis founded in 1932. In the subsequent year, he launched Sankhya: The Indian Journal of Statistics, a platform dedicated to advancing statistical research in India.

Mahalanobis' contributions extended beyond the academic realm. In 1950, he established the National Sample Survey, a pioneering initiative that played a crucial role in collecting and analyzing comprehensive data for informed policy decisions. He also played a pivotal role in setting up the Central Statistical Organisation, which acted as a coordinating body for statistical activities in the country. Furthermore, from 1955 to 1967, Mahalanobis served as a member of the Planning Commission, where he played an instrumental role in formulating India's second five-year plan (1956-1961). This plan laid the groundwork for industrialization and overall development in the country.

Notable Achievements:

Among Mahalanobis' numerous accomplishments, his development of the "Mahalanobis distance" stands out. This statistical measure provides a means to determine the distance between a point and a distribution, making it invaluable in fields such as cluster analysis and classification. Its widespread adoption has greatly enhanced the understanding and utilization of data in various domains.

Another noteworthy achievement was Mahalanobis' introduction of innovative techniques, including fractile graphical analysis. This method facilitated the comparison of socio-economic conditions among diverse groups, enabling policymakers to identify disparities and formulate targeted interventions. In 1926, he conducted a comprehensive analysis of flood data in Odisha, which served as the foundation for the construction of the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River—a testament to his practical application of statistical insights for large-scale projects with far-reaching socio-economic implications.

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis's enduring contributions to the fields of statistics and economic planning have left an indelible imprint on India's development direction. His tireless efforts in establishing statistical institutions, introducing innovative methodologies, and shaping key policy frameworks continue to guide policymakers and researchers to this day. On Statistics Day, we pay homage to the visionary mind of Professor Mahalanobis, drawing inspiration from his legacy as we recognize the pivotal role of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation for a sustainable future.