The ministry of
Statistics and programme Implementation has instituted a biennial
international award to recognise the lifetime contribution of
an eminent statistician from a developing country. The Minister
of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Shri S.B.
Mookherjee, made this announcement here today while presenting
the National Award in Statistics in the memory of Prof. P.V.
Sukhatme to eminent statistician Prof. Prem Narain.
The Minister told
that the newly instituted award in the memory of eminent statistician
Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis would be given to the statistician selected
by a special committee. Nominations have been invited from the
international statistical community including national statistical
offices and societies for the first Mahalanobis award.
Mentioning the
valued contribution of Prof. Narain, the minister said that
while basic research is essential for development of science,
it has to be complemented by applied research to optimize its
benefits. The increasing gap between the development of theory
and its application underlines the need for determined efforts
to make the newer techniques simpler for adoption in application.
He was sure that these awards will give impetus to research
work particularly in the area of applied statistics.
Veteran Statistician, Prof. Narain,
who received the National Award for the year 2001-2002 has made
seminal contribution to the field of animal genetics and agricultural
statistics.
Referring to
the need for linking environmental issues and socio-economic
development, he said that any economic system has its environmental
costs. There is a need to prepare data sets on environmental
costs of economic activities and proper annual account of country’s
natural resources. He called upon the statistical fraternity
to concentrate on this area, which needs immediate attention.
The Secretary,
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Shri Kamal
Kant Jaswal and other senior officers of the ministry were also
present on the occasion.
