National Statistics Day: 5 things about PC Mahalanobis, who could decipher the stories data tells

June 29 marks National Statistics Day in India, commemorating the birth anniversary of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, a pivotal figure in the field of statistics. Known as the father of statistics in India, Mahalanobis made significant contributions that extended beyond theoretical work, impacting economic planning and policy formulation in the country. His pioneering efforts laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Indian Statistical Institute in 1931, a premier institution dedicated to research, teaching, and the application of statistics. Mahalanobis is perhaps best known for developing the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure that has become a cornerstone in multivariate data analysis. This innovative metric allows for the assessment of similarities and differences between data sets, providing insights that are crucial in fields ranging from anthropology to machine learning. His work in statistics was instrumental in shaping India's Second Five-Year Plan, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making in national development. Beyond his technical contributions, Mahalanobis was a visionary who recognized the power of statistics in telling compelling stories from data. His interdisciplinary approach bridged gaps between statistics and real-world applications, inspiring a new generation of statisticians and economists. As the nation celebrates National Statistics Day, Mahalanobis's legacy continues to underscore the vital role of statistics in understanding and addressing complex societal challenges.

— Authored by Next24 Live