Itanagar: The state department of economics and statistics on Saturday celebrated the 19th National Statistics Day at the Golden Jubilee Banquet Hall, commemorating the birth anniversary of renowned statistician, professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis.Based on the theme of ‘75 Years of National Sample Survey,’ the celebrations highlighted the pivotal role played by the National Sample Survey (NSS) in fostering evidence-based policymaking, since its inception in 1950.Speaking at the event, Rajiv Gandhi University vice-chancellor professor SK Nayak lauded the field officers for their vital role in raising awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and national development. “Field-level functionaries are the backbone of our statistical ecosystem. They not only collect crucial data, but also drive community engagement through awareness activities like seminars, quizzes and debates, especially targeting the youth,” he said.Bebing Megu, the state director of economics and statistics, paid tribute to professor Mahalanobis for his monumental contribution to the field of statistics. Mahalanobis, often considered the “Father of Indian Statistics,” is renowned for developing the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure used in cluster analysis and pattern recognition, and for his instrumental role as a member of India’s first planning commission, where he significantly influenced the second five-year plan.
