Founder of the Indian Statistical Institute

The question asks to identify the founder of the esteemed organization known as the "Indian Statistical Institute" (ISI).

Identifying the Founder

The "Indian Statistical Institute" (ISI) was established to foster the study and application of statistics in India. After reviewing the options provided, the individual credited with founding this significant institution is P. C. Mahalanobis.

About P. C. Mahalanobis

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (often referred to as P. C. Mahalanobis) was a renowned Indian scientist and statistician. His contributions were pivotal not only in the field of statistics but also in the development of India's economic planning.

• He founded the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata in 1931.
• Mahalanobis is famous for the "Mahalanobis distance", a statistical measure.
• He played a key role in the establishment of the National Sample Survey Office and influenced the Second Five-Year Plan, focusing on heavy industry development.

Analysis of Options

While the other individuals listed, V. K. R. V. Rao, Prof. Raj Krishna, and D. T. Lakdawala, were all prominent Indian economists and intellectuals who contributed significantly to academia and policy-making, P. C. Mahalanobis is specifically recognized as the founder of the Indian Statistical Institute.

Conclusion

Therefore, the founder of the "Indian Statistical Institute" is P. C. Mahalanobis.