Remembering PC Mahalanobis: The Vanishing Legacy of India’s Planning Vision
On the death anniversary of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid homage to a towering intellect whose legacy continues to resonate through the corridors of Indian policymaking. Known as the father of modern statistics in India, Mahalanobis not only founded the Indian Statistical Institute but also played a transformative role in post-independence economic planning.
His most impactful contribution was the establishment of the Planning Commission—an institution that once served as the blueprint for India’s development strategy. Inspired by the vision of leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahalanobis brought scientific rigor to governance, championing data-backed planning as the foundation of progress. His Baranagar-based institute became a beacon for researchers and policymakers worldwide, drawing attention to India’s bold experiment in planned growth.
In her tribute, Banerjee lamented the 2014 dissolution of the Planning Commission, calling it a loss to the nation. Her words reflect a broader concern: that dismantling such an institution may have undermined decades of structured developmental thinking. The move marked a shift from centralized, expert-led planning to a more decentralized and flexible approach under NITI Aayog.
Mahalanobis envisioned a country where policies were crafted through empirical evidence and long-term strategy. The Planning Commission embodied this ideal, shaping policies across sectors for decades. Its termination raises important questions about whether India still values deeply rooted institutional planning.
Banerjee’s message is more than homage—it is a reflection on India’s changing governance models. By recalling Mahalanobis’s legacy, she urges the nation to reconsider the significance of vision-driven institutions in shaping a better future.
In honoring him, we are reminded that progress needs not just ambition, but structure, foresight, and respect for visionary frameworks that once defined the Indian developmental state.
