Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis
Early Life and Education
Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis was born on June 29, 1893, in Kolkata, India, into a prominent Bengali family. His father, Prabodh Chandra Mahalanobis, was an educationist and social reformer, while his mother, Nirodbashini, was a homemaker. Mahalanobis showed an early aptitude for mathematics and science, which was nurtured by his family environment.
Mahalanobis completed his schooling at the Brahmo Boys School in Calcutta. He then attended Presidency College, where he studied under the tutelage of renowned physicist Jagadish Chandra Bose. After obtaining his degree in Physics in 1912, Mahalanobis traveled to England to pursue further studies at the University of Cambridge. There, he was influenced by the works of Karl Pearson, a pioneering statistician, which piqued his interest in the field of statistics.
Career and Contributions
Indian Statistical Institute
Upon returning to India in 1922, Mahalanobis joined Presidency College as a professor of Physics. However, his interest in statistics continued to grow, leading him to establish the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931. The ISI became a premier institution for statistical research and training, attracting scholars from around the world. Mahalanobis's vision for the ISI was to create a multidisciplinary research environment that integrated statistics with other scientific fields.
Mahalanobis Distance
One of Mahalanobis's most significant contributions to statistics is the development of the Mahalanobis distance, a measure of the distance between a point and a distribution. This statistical measure is widely used in cluster analysis and classification techniques. The Mahalanobis distance accounts for correlations between variables and is particularly useful in identifying outliers in multivariate data.
Sample Surveys
Mahalanobis was a pioneer in the field of sample survey methods. He introduced innovative techniques for conducting large-scale surveys, which were crucial for collecting reliable data in a cost-effective manner. His work on sample surveys laid the foundation for modern survey methodology and had a profound impact on agricultural and economic planning in India.
National Planning
In addition to his academic contributions, Mahalanobis played a key role in India's national planning efforts. He was a close advisor to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and was instrumental in formulating the Second Five-Year Plan, which emphasized industrialization and economic development. Mahalanobis's statistical expertise was critical in the allocation of resources and the implementation of development policies.
Awards and Honors
Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis received numerous accolades for his contributions to statistics and national development. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 1968. Mahalanobis was also elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1945, recognizing his significant contributions to the field of statistics.
Legacy
Mahalanobis's legacy extends beyond his statistical innovations. He was a visionary who recognized the importance of data-driven decision-making in national development. The Indian Statistical Institute continues to be a leading center for statistical research and education, carrying forward Mahalanobis's mission. His contributions to sample survey methods and national planning have had a lasting impact on India's economic and social development.