Legendary statistician Prof Rao adds another feather in his cap

He has published 350 research papers, guided 50 PhD students, written 14 books and 30 handbooks in different areas of Statistics and received 36 honorary doctorate degrees from all over the world. Young Hans Team Calyampudi R Rao, 93, a world leader in Statistics and the namesake of the "Fisher-Rao Theorem," who received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from University at Buffalo, The State University of New York earlier this month, inspires students across the world.

Padma Vibhushan Prof CR Rao, as he is known in scientific circles, has invented Cramer-Rao inequality and Rao Blackwellisation. He has made many remarkable contributions in Mathematics and Statistics before he crossed 30 years. There are various theorems to his credit. The Cramer-Rao theorem was proven at the early age of 25. Recipient of Shanthi Swarup Bhatnagar award from Government of India in 1962, he donated the entire prize money to PM's defence fund as country was fighting war against China. His pathbreaking research in the defence sector contributed to the identification of intruding ships and air craft by "pattern recognition". As early as 1940s, he undertook research in Biometrics. The Government of India is contemplating to honour his birthday - September 10 - as National Quality Day. Prof Rao is the first Asian, first non-European to get Guy Gold medal in 120 years presented by Royal Society, London. He is one of the very few Indians to become Fellow of Royal society way back in 1967. The New York Academy of Sciences published his photograph and profile in their book along with many Nobel Laureates He is the only Indian to get this honour. He has guided 50 Phd students, published 350 research papers, written 14 books and 30 hand books in different areas of Statistics and received 36 honorary doctorate degrees from all over the world. The Government of Andhra Pradesh honoured him with the prestigious "Telugu Velugu" award in 2012. Prof Rao figures among the eminent Statisticians and probabilists of the world. He is the only Asian to figure in the History of Statisticians covered from 16th century. He initiated Statistics Olympiad for the first time in the world by involving school students of Classes IX to XII to spot and groom the talent at the early age. Govt. of India has instituted an award in his honour to young Statistician who made significant contribution to Statistics. The award is known as CR Rao Award to young Statistician. Under his guidance, an institute of excellence in the field of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science was established in University of Hyderabad. He is now establishing National Museum of Statistics" (Sankhya) museum on Mathematics and Statistics in the campus. It is the first of its kind. Some of the important roads in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Nandigama in AP have been named after him. The University Grants Commission has entrusted one scholar to study the life and achievements of Prof Rao.