Question

why is P.C Mahalanobis known as the architect of Indian planning?

Answer 1

Many distinguished thinkers contributed to the formation of our five year plans. Amont them the name of the Statistician, Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, stands out.

Planning, in the real sense of the term, began with the Second five year plan. The second plan, a landmark contribution to development planning in general, laid down the basic ideas regarding goals of Indian planning; this plan was based on the idea of Mahalanobis. In that sense he can be regarded as the architect of Indian planning.

He was born in 1893 in Calcutta. He was educated in Presidency College in Calcutta and at Cambridge University in England.His contributions to the subject of Statistics brought him International fame. In 1946 he was made a fellow (member) of Britain’s Royal Society, one of the most prestigious organisation of scientists; only the most outstanding scientists are made members of this society.

Mahalanobis established the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Calcutta, W.B. and started a Journal, Sankhyawhich still serves as a respected forumfor statisticians to discuss their Ideas. Both the ISI and Sankhya, are highly regarded by statisticians and Economists all over the world to this day.

During the second plan period, Mahalanobis invited many distinguished Economist from India and abroad to advice him on India’s economic development. Some of these economists became Noble prize winnerslater, which shows that he could identify individuals with talent. Among the economists invited by Mahalanobis were those who were very critical of the socialist principles of second plan.

Many economists today rejects the approach to planning formulated by Mahalanobis but he will always be remembered for playing a vital role in putting India on the road to Economic progress, and statisticians continue to profit from his contribution to statistical theory.