INSPIRING LIVES: DR.C.R.RAO - AN AGE-DEFYING LEGEND OF SCIENCE

INSPIRING LIVES: 

DR.C.RADHAKRISHNA RAO - AN AGE-DEFYING LEGEND OF SCIENCE 

Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao, known worldwide as C. R. Rao, stands as a shining example of how passion and intellect can triumph over the boundaries of age, nationality, and circumstance. Born on 10 September 1920 in Huvina Hadagali, Karnataka, Rao’s early love for mathematics set the stage for a celebrated life that would transform the world of statistics and inspire generations across continents

Pathbreaking Discoveries and Global Impact

At just 25, Rao authored a landmark paper introducing the famed Cramér–Rao bound and the Rao–Blackwell Theorem—crucial to how scientists judge the quality and efficiency of statistical estimates. His pioneering work in information geometry also reopened the way modern data science and statistical inference would develop in the years ahead. These ideas are now foundational, taught in curricula across the globe and used in disciplines ranging from economics to engineering and genetics

Key Contributions:

Cramér–Rao lower boundRao–Blackwell TheoremRao Distance, Fisher–Rao Theorem, Orthogonal ArraysGroundwork for information geometry and advanced models in statistics

Rao wrote more than 400 research papers and 15 books, influencing the very shape of statistical education and practice. He guided and mentored future generations of mathematicians and statisticians worldwide, earning honorary doctorates from 38 global universities

Pioneer in Indian and Global ScienceDuring his decades at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Rao not only advanced research but also established rigorous training programs, producing leaders who would anchor India’s presence on the global statistical map

 He was also pivotal in setting up the Asian Statistical Institute (now SIAP, Tokyo), fostering data science education across Southeast Asia.He played advisory roles in policy planning, founding the Indian Econometric Society, and promoting statistical agencies vital to India’s economic development. Rao’s advocacy early in India’s independence was crucial in rooting data-driven decision-making across the nation

Reinvention After Retirement: 

An Inspiring Second ActAfter formal retirement at sixty, Rao moved to the U.S., living with his daughter and grandchildren—a chapter that would rewrite the possibilities for “retired” scientists. At 62, he became Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. By 70, he was Head of the Department at the University of Pennsylvania, and he continued active research and mentorship into his centenarian years

He gained American citizenship at 75, won the prestigious U.S. National Medal of Science at 82—awarded by the White House as a “prophet of a new age”—and, breaking global records, received the International Prize in Statistics, often described as the “Nobel of Statistics,” at the age of 102

Awards and Lasting Legacy

The list of Rao’s honors is long and distinguished:Padma Bhushan (1968), Padma Vibhushan (2001), India Science Award, and more.

National Medal of Science (USA), Guy Medal in Gold (UK), International Prize in Statistics (2023)

.Institutions, roads, and academic prizes worldwide bear his name—such as the C. R. Rao Advanced Institute (Hyderabad) and C. R. Rao Prize at Penn State

Rao’s Message and A Timeless LessonDespite achievements, Rao reflected on cultural issues, noting, "No one asks after retirement in India. Colleagues also respect power and not scholarship." His life challenges the world to respect experience, nurture lifelong scholarship, and recognize the boundless potential of human endeavor

At 102, Rao remains a living beacon—his journey a powerful reminder that age is just a number, but the willingness to work and excel truly matters. His contributions demonstrate that a passion for learning and helping others can continue not just through a lifetime, but for generations to come

Hat’s off to Sri C. R. Rao! May his story continue to inspire us to value wisdom, perseverance, and scientific inquiry throughout our lives.

Grateful thanks to PERPLEXITY AI for its great help and support in creating this blogpost.