The National Statistics Office, Field Operations Division, Regional Office, Shillong, celebrated the 19th National Statistics Day on June 29. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of the legendary statistician, Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, who is widely regarded as the “Father of the Indian Statistical System.”
Observed annually, National Statistics Day aims to create public awareness – particularly among the youth – on the pivotal role of statistics in socio-economic planning, evidence-based policymaking, and overall national development. 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 S. Kharjana, Senior Statistical Officer, who underscored the significance of the day and the relevance of this year’s theme. In the inaugural address, Dr. Prabhata Das, Assistant Director, NSO (FOD), Shillong, paid tribute to Prof. Mahalanobis and highlighted the enduring impact of the NSS since its inception in 1950. He emphasized that the NSS has been instrumental in shaping national planning by producing comprehensive demographic datasets essential for policy formulation across various sectors.
- Patton, Deputy Director, NSO (FOD), Shillong, reflected on the importance of popularizing statistical literacy. He noted that the 75-year journey of the NSS has significantly contributed to transformative initiatives like the New Education Policy (NEP) and the framing of the National Indicator Framework for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Adding further perspective, S. Nongkynrih, Junior Statistical Officer, emphasized the importance of quality fieldwork in gathering reliable data for national and global use. He shared advice with new functionaries on effective data collection techniques.
Ibapynkmen Marwein, Survey Supervisor, discussed the practical implications of statistical work in shaping flagship schemes such as MGNREGA, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Ayushman Bharat. She encouraged field staff to take pride in their roles as foundational contributors to India’s policy ecosystem, despite the challenges of grassroots-level data collection.
The event concluded with a quiz competition, designed to reinforce statistical knowledge and promote active participation among the officers and staff.
