Statistics Day 2008

 

         

          In recognition of the notable contribution made by Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of economic planning and statistical development in the post independent era, the Govt. of India has decided to designate 29^th June every year, coinciding with his birth anniversary, as Statistics Day in the category of special day to be celebrated at the national level.  Notification to this effect was published in the Gazette of India on June 05, 2007.

 

          Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MOS&PI) will be celebrating the Second Statistics Day on 29^th June 2008.  The celebrations will be held at India International Centre, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi.  The function will be inaugurated by Shri Pranab Muhkerjee, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs and presided over by Shri G.K.Vasan, Hon’ble MOS (Independent Charge) Statistics and Programme Implementation.  During the function, National Award in Statistics in the memory of Prof P.V. Sukhatme for the year 2007-08 will be given.  Winners of the Essay Writing competition in statistics organized by MOS&PI in February 2008 will also be given awards on this occasion. Directorates of Economics and Statistics of different States will also be celebrating ‘Statistics Day’ on 29^th June 2008.

 

          First Statistics Day was celebrated the on 29^th June 2007.  The celebrations were aimed at creating public awareness among the people specially the younger generation for drawing inspiration from the works of Prof. Mahalanobis about the role of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation.  The curtain raiser function was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.  The Prime Minister also released a brochure ‘Statistics Day 2007’ on this occasion.  Shri G.K. Vasan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) MOS&PI gave the National Award in Statistics for the year 2006-07 in the honour of Prof. C.R. Rao to Prof. Ayanendranath Basu of ISI Kolkata.  Prof. S.C. Tendulkar, Chairman, National Statistical Commission and Prof. I.P. David from Philippines, the winner of the Mahalanobis award 2007, also addressed the audience and mentioned about the valuable contribution of Prof. Mahalanobis for the development of statistics.  Directorate of Economics and Statistics of different States also celebrated ‘Statistics Day’ at the regional level in association with regional/sub regional offices of Field Operation Division (FOD)of National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO).