By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 30: The National Statistics Office, Field Operations Division, Regional Office, Shillong, on Sunday celebrated the 19th National Statistics Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of the legendary statistician Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, widely regarded as the ‘Father of the Indian Statistical System’.
Observed annually, National Statistics Day aims to create public awareness, particularly among the youths, on the pivotal role of statistics in socio-economic planning, evidence-based policymaking and overall national development.
According to a statement here, this year’s celebration was especially significant as it coincided with the 75th anniversary of the National Sample Survey (NSS), a cornerstone of India’s data-driven governance.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Senior Statistical Officer, S. Kharjana, who underscored the significance of the day and the relevance of this year’s theme.
In the inaugural address, Assistant Director, NSO (FOD), Shillong, Dr. Prabhata Das, paid tribute to Prof. Mahalanobis and highlighted the enduring impact of the NSS since its inception in 1950.
He said the NSS has been instrumental in shaping national planning by producing comprehensive demographic datasets essential for policy formulation across various sectors.
On the other hand, Deputy Director, NSO (FOD), Shillong, O. Patton, reflected on the importance of popularising statistical literacy.
He noted that the 75-year journey of the NSS has significantly contributed to transformative initiatives such as the New Education Policy (NEP) and the framing of the National Indicator Framework for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).