Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu released a commemorative coin of ₹ 125 and circulation coin of ₹ 5 denomination as a mark of respect to Professor P. C. Mahalanobis  on the closing ceremony of his  125^th Birth Anniversary  at Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.

Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation and Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) jointly celebrated  12^th Statistics Day and the closing ceremony of the 125^th Birth Anniversary of Prof. P. C. Mahalanobis on 29^th June, 2018 at Kolkata.

Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.  Other dignitaries who participated in the event include Shri D. V. Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister for Statistics & Programme Implementation,  Prof.  Bratya Basu, Minister of Information Technology and Electronics, Government of West Bengal, Dr. Vijay Kelkar, President, ISI and Prof. Goverdhan Mehta, Chairman, ISI Council.

 In recognition of the notable contributions made by Late Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of statistics, statistical system and economic planning, Government of India in 2007, has designated 29^thJune as the “Statistics Day” in the category of Special Days to be celebrated every year at the National level

 On the occasion, Vice President of India released a commemorative coin of ₹ 125 and circulation coin of ₹ 5 denomination as a mark of respect  to Prof. Mahalanobis. The winners of Prof. P.V. Sukhatme Award 2018 and Prof. C.R. Rao Award 2017, were also felicitated for their notable contribution in the field of Statistics.

The objective of celebration of this Day is to create public awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation, to acknowledge the contribution of Prof. Mahalanobis, and to pay homage to him. Every year, one particular theme of current national importance is selected for focused discussions and efforts throughout the year aimed at bringing about improvements in the selected area. The theme selected for the Statistics Day this year is ‘‘Quality Assurance in Official Statistics’. The theme has been chosen to underscore the importance of compliance with essential parameters of quality in statistical systems and products.

 The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) at Kolkata, set up by Prof. Mahalanobis in 1931, and was declared an autonomous “Institute of National Importance” through an act of Parliament in 1959, celebrates 29^th June as the “Worker Day”. 29^th June, 2017 marked the beginning of the 125^th year of birth of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis. ISI has held year-round celebrations. 

 Statistics Day Celebrations held throughout the country by the field offices of National Sample Survey Office, State Governments and Universities/Departments by organizing Seminars, Conferences, Debates, Quiz Programmes, Lectures, Essay Competitions, etc.

Designation of Statistics Day highlights quality assurance in official statistics and commemorative measures to honor Mahalanobis. Designation of Statistics Day recognizes Prof. P. C. Mahalanobis and mandates an annual national observance to promote statistics in socio economic planning. The 12th Statistics Day included release of a commemorative coin, award felicitations, and the selection of an annual theme-this year emphasizing Quality Assurance in Official Statistics to stress compliance with essential quality parameters in statistical systems and products.