Why Putting Off The Census Is A Bad Decision!

Back in 2003-‘4, when I was working for Infosys, our #managers often reminded us of what the #itindustry #icon and Infosys #founder, #narayana #murthy had to say about the importance of #data.

The exact #quote was, “In God We trust, Rest have to bring data!”. In short, what #nrn meant was that without #accurate and #reliable #data, there wasn’t any point in arguing or discussing anything.

So, we all need #data and the same goes for anyone and everyone, whether #corporates, #government, or, #ngos. #decisionmaking is rendered #redundant without #data, and worse, #analysis #paralysis sets in as well.

This is “why” the #decision to put off #census #2021 by the #modigovernment is “flawed” and sets a bad precedent. More so, when the #indianeconomy is poised for “takeoff”, with #foreigninvestors eager to know the #metrics, before committing #investments.

Indeed, from #population to #poverty #figures, from #consumption to #capitalization, #investors and #researchers alike need the #census provided #statistics.

As it is, there are “concerns” about the #quality and #periodicity of the #growth #estimates and worse, the “discontinuation” of publishing #employment #numbers is a “sticking point” with many #stakeholders.

While the #pandemic #years are an “excuse” to not undertake the #census in 2020-’21, there is no justification for further “delaying” or calling off now. The parable of the “Blind Men and The Elephant” comes to #mind, in this context of #datapoor #nation.

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