Significance of World Statistics Day

Statistics plays a vital role in every fields of human activity. Statistics has important role in determining the existing position of per capita income, unemployment, population growth rate, housing, schooling medical facilities etc…in a country. Now statistics holds a central position in almost every field like Industry, Commerce, Trade, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics, Biology, Botany, Psychology, Astronomy etc…, so application of statistics is very wide. Now we discuss some important fields in which statistics is commonly applied.

Importance of World Statistics Day 2015
Official statistics help decision makers develop informed policies that impact millions of people. Improved data sources, sound statistical methods, new technologies and strengthened statistical systems enable better decisions that eventually result in better lives for all of us.

On 20 October 2015 is the World of Statistics Day being celebrated worldwide to encourage the global statistical community to embrace this international observance and showcase their achievements and their ongoing work toward “Better Data. Better Lives.”—the theme selected for World Statistics Day- “Statistics for better decision-making statistics for better development.”

Why a World Statistics Day?
The celebration of the World Statistics Day will acknowledge the service provided by the global statistical system at national and international level, and hope to help strengthen the awareness and trust of the public in official statistics. It serves as an advocacy tool to further support the work of statisticians across different settings, cultures, and domains.

President of India Message on World Statistics Day
An informed decision making system based on robust statistics on social sectors like health, education, poverty, employment, social backwardness, housing and environment, will pave the way for holistic development of India. The theme chosen for this year worlds Statistics Day is appropriate in the current scenario. Let us on this day, draw inspiration from the life and career of Prof. Mahalanobis whose excellence has influenced many to adopt statistical techniques in various subjects.

World Statistics Day 2015 events
UNSD is calling on countries, regional and supranational organizations, thematic-oriented institutions, and government and nongovernmental organizations to join this global celebration of official statistics.

Each participating country and organization can design its celebration and create materials that fit best within its national identify and relate its ideas to the main theme for World Statistics Day and the materials that will be created and disseminated to countries by the UNSD. Among these promotional materials will be posters, pamphlets and handouts. The division also will provide assistance—where possible—with publicity, the organization of seminars and workshops and participation in special events.

The objective of the event is to bringing the importance of official statistics to the attention of policy decision makers at the highest levels of national governments and to the public.

What to expect from India?
On World Statistics Day, activities at national level will highlight the role of official statistics and the many achievements of the national statistical system. International, regional and sub-regional organizations will complement national activities with additional events.

Whereas India has been observing the 29th of June, the birth anniversary of the late Prof Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, as the National Statistics Day, effective from the 29th June of the year 2007, and the 114th birth anniversary of Prof P C Mahalanobis.

This is in recognition of the vast contribution made by him in the field of statistics, in particular in the realm of planning for economic and social development. Prof Mahalanobis pioneered almost singularly, the setting up of Indian Statistical Institute, in the then Calcutta, largely to initiate adoption of statistical methodologies, in solving social and economic problems, furthered the cause of critical investigation, through rigorous innovative technique and analysis of issues in quantitative economics.

On the eve of World Statistics Day, the Government of India has projected certain key parameters by 2025 in India.

G.Rajendera Kumar,
Deputy Statistical Officer,
Planning Dept.