Pradeep Gupta first explained the basics of socio-demography in terms of common (gender, age) and special (birthplace, marital status, educational qualification, occupation) demographic markers, variation of special markers across the nation (north, south, east, west), sample size, methodology etc. The perennial question of data collection through survey was then addressed lucidly by the speaker through various matrices of questionnaire design and expertise and patience of the data collectors, which, being manual variant, are quintessential to obtain ‘quality’ raw data. Pradeep ji then delved into nuances of data analysis, training of employees and model algorithms to ensure that nowhere throughout the whole process, there is any sort of bias. He beautifully summed up the whole electoral process- “Dawey, Wadey, Iradey” by politicians and voters’ own analysis and interpretation, involving complex social and personal factors’, which we, simply as outsiders or ‘analysts’, without ground analysis and years of hands-on experience, can never predict, which, in turn, becomes a reason of most of the media giants’ predictions landing nowhere. Q&A: After Pradeep ji explained through his presentation, the audience went into barrage mode of questioning, almost every single dropping 2-3 insightful asks, e.g. ‘Does stock market and GDP impact polling’, ‘If all the data can be accessed, what about ‘privacy’?’, all of which were answered unambiguously by the respected speaker, Mr. Pradeep Gupta, to the complete satisfaction of questioner and audience. Thanking note: The session then ended with compere thanking the speaker and the audience for such a wonderful interactive session in a hectic-schedule weekday and Head Faculty Advisor and currently Associate Dean of Students’ Affairs, Professor (Computer Science and Engineering) Arnab Bhattacharya presenting a memento to the speaker as parting gift, as informal interaction continued outside the session venue.

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