The Population Research Centre, under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Department of Statistics, Andhra University, jointly observed World Population Day here in Visakhapatnam on Saturday (July 11, 2026).
Delivering the keynote address, Founder Director of the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Visakhapatnam, and retired professor, V.S.R.K. Prasad, spoke on the growing relevance of statistics in artificial intelligence, data science, and public policy. He urged students to explore opportunities in population research, census studies, and environmental science.
Joint Director of the Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, B.V.L. Sai Sekhar, who was the guest of honour, spoke on career avenues in demography and population studies. Principal of the University College of Science and Technology, M.V.R. Raju, spoke on lifestyle diseases and the need for students to contribute to sustainable development while protecting the environment.
Honorary Director of the Centre and Head of the Department of Statistics, B. Muniswamy, outlined the Centre’s research on the implementation of national health and family welfare programmes.
Prizes were distributed to winners of essay-writing and elocution competitions held to mark the day, with students also presenting rangoli and paintings on the theme. About 160 people, including students, researchers and departmental staff, took part.
Published – July 11, 2026 11:26 pm IST
