On 29 June, India celebrates National Statistics Day to mark the day Prof. Mahalanobis, the key figure of Indian statistics, was born. Many people referred to him as the “Father of Indian Statistics” because he greatly influenced India’s development and planning in its early stages.
Besides its significance in history, this day solidly reminds us that data and statistics are key to driving important work in society, a point well-known by NGOs and civil society groups at the grassroots. Currently, numbers mean more than their practical value; they support solid arguments, help with how a programme is delivered, and ensure trust and accountability.
Reliable data helps non-governmental organisations find out about social issues, check their progress, and share effective reports with anyone concerned. Stories about malnourished communities, unequal education for girls, or phasing out ineffective healthcare interventions can be turned into action plans with the help of statistics.
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National Statistics Day makes people more aware of data and helps them make better choices, which is very important for NGO sin India trying to lift marginalised people. It also asks statisticians, government leaders, and nonprofit teams to partner closely to guarantee that all groups in society, especially the ones most in need, get access to useful data.
Let’s use this opportunity to state that we will use data to improve the world, ensure fairness, and empower those who normally do not have a say in things.
Table of Contents
Who Was Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis?
Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (born 29 June 1893, died 28 June 1972) helped to establish statistical methods and guide planning with data in India. Although best recognised for creating the Mahalanobis Distance used internationally in multivariate analysis, he was also a key figure in designing India’s economic policies when it gained independence.
Mahalanobis received his education at the University of Calcutta and then at King’s College, Cambridge, which gave him a good understanding of both physics and mathematics. Still, his influence in history was most noticeable when he applied statistics to agricultural challenges, examining populations, and handling national projects.
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In 1931, he established the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), which later became known as one of the top places in the world for research in statistics, mathematics, and computer science. Tobin was part of setting up big statistical surveys in India, and the National Sample Survey (NSS) began in 1950, helping to guide decisions about planning and policies up to today.
In the Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961), he proposed the Mahalanobis model for developing the economy. The model stressed growing industry and planning economic growth with statistics, influencing the development of India.
He combined the work of a statistician with acting as a link between science and society. He believed data ought to help the community, and his example still makes statisticians, researchers, and NGOs wish to use data for inclusive and lasting growth. The day he was born, which is National Statistics Day, demonstrates the role he played in influencing Indian statistics and development for years.
The Importance of Statistics in Nation-Building
The progress and inclusivity of a country depend on solid statistics. Effective governance and growth over time rely on using data when making policies and tracking important goals. Because India has many diverse regions and people, statistics are important for explaining problems and guiding fair action from the government.
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1. Evidence-based Decision Making
Statistical information helps governments spot urgent matters, divide resources properly, and set up suitable policies in response. Any decision on building infrastructure, handling unemployment, or managing health issues becomes sounder and well-informed when data is available.
2. Gauging How Far We Have Advanced
Using statistics on GDP, literacy, life span, poverty, and access to sanitation, we can observe how a country is growing over the years. By conducting the NSS and Census, the government receives useful data to help with planning and changes in policies.
3. Making certain that there is accountability and transparency
When statistics are public, people and organisations can easily assess how the government is doing. It encourages officials to be responsible, cuts back on corruption, and supports the growth of democracy.
4. Providing help for those who are marginalised
When data is collected about groups such as women, men, the lower classes, other castes, and those from different regions, it becomes easier to notice and deal with inequality. It is especially important when creating policies that assist underrepresented groups and lead to all-inclusive development.
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5. Supporting cooperation among nations
Statistics play a big role in making sure that countries’ plans are in line with worldwide goals, such as the UN’s SDGs. Sharing data supports teamwork and comparison between countries.
Basically, statistics make the issues of governance easier to measure, understand, and address with strategies. Offering reliable data to governments, researchers, and NGOs empowers them, which helps our nation become stronger, fairer, and more resilient.
Why Statistics Matter for NGOs and Civil Society Organisations
Society’s serious issues of poverty, education, inequality related to gender, health and climate change are overcome in part thanks to the actions of NGOs and civil society groups. Yet, these organisations can only achieve their goals by relying on more than passion alone; they require legitimate data. In order to study it, statistics becomes necessary.
1. Developing Interventions That Rely on Evidence
With statistics, NGOs can determine the extent of various problems. Having access to reliable data makes it possible to develop activities that are targeted towards preventing child malnutrition, offering clean water solutions, or avoiding school dropout. This approach eliminates guessing and sees that the funding goes to the places that benefit the most.
2. Ensuring Results and Increasing Accountability
More and more, funders, communities, and governments expect transparency. With statistical tools, NGOs monitor their progress, check their achievements, and present their outcomes on a scale that can be easily understood. As a result, people trust the organisation more, and its processes improve.
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3. Influencing Policies
Numbers speak. If NGOs add statistical data with personal accounts, their arguments are more powerful. Such data-based tools allow civil society to shape public views and influence decisions regarding domestic violence, justice issues linked to climate change, and internet access.
4. Establishing Credibility and Obtaining More Donations
By using strong data and setting goals, grant applications, donor reports, and strategic plans are improved. People are more likely to support organisations that have strong data to support their needs and how well they perform.
5. Encouraging people to join forces and come up with ideas.
Thanks to statistics, it is possible to achieve the national and global targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They also promote teamwork among NGOs, universities, and government departments by relying on the same aims and measurements.
The use of statistics in the modern world enables NGOs to be sharper, better planned, and more effective. By observing National Statistics Day, we underline that data is useful for all people, and not only for governments.
National Statistics Day: Objectives and Observances
It is on 29 June every year that National Statistics Day is observed to celebrate the birth of Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, who created modern statistics in India. This day also demonstrates how important statistics are for the growth and well-being of the nation.
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Key Objectives:
- Make people more aware of climate change and its effects: This day is meant to highlight why statistics play a key role in forming policies, promoting development, and maintaining transparency in decision-making.
- Inspire your children to adopt statistical thinking: Statistics help in solving actual problems, mainly in health, education, the environment, and the economy.
- Broaden the horizons for the young generation: National Statistics Day aims to get students and future professionals in related fields interested in statistics.
- Think about the important roles played by statisticians: It admires and appreciates the work of statisticians, especially Prof. Mahalanobis, whose efforts started the trend of planning based on statistics in India.
- Teachers are encouraged to cooperate with others from different subjects: This observance promotes interaction between government, universities, and groups in society, so statistics are used to help make all people part of sustainable development.
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What Is Involved:
- Organising seminars, workshops, and public lectures falls under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) as well as academic institutions and the states.
- Every year, the Foundation picks a theme, focusing on a current issue across the country where statistics help offer solutions.
- People who work in statistics and survey methodologies are recognised with various awards and distinctions.
- They hold talks about using data, survey people in the community, and discuss the importance of statistics in developing local projects.
While we celebrate National Statistics Day for data, it is mostly about encouraging all of us to let data guide our decisions, so we create an equal and better world.