Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched three Param Rudra supercomputers, which are built with indigenous technology. This step marks an important milestone in the scientific and technological progress under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM). The cost of super computer is Rs 130 crore. The Prime Minister dedicated these three supercomputers to the nation this evening through video conferencing. These indigenously developed supercomputers have been deployed in Pune, Delhi and Kolkata to promote cutting-edge research in multiple scientific disciplines.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister said that a country can aim for big achievements only when it has a big vision. He stressed that technology upgradation should be to empower the poor. He also inaugurated a high performance computing (HPC) system designed for weather and climate research. Modi said that today’s India is creating new opportunities in the infinite sky of possibilities.
The Prime Minister said his government has taken steps to ensure that research in technology benefits the common man. He said, “The significance of science lies not only in invention and development, but in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the last person.” Today, if we are going hi-tech, we are also ensuring that our hi-tech technology becomes the strength of the poor.
National Super Computing Mission launched in 2015
He said, “At one time, supercomputers were considered the domain of only a few countries. We started the National Supercomputing Mission in 2015 and today India is catching up with big countries in the direction of supercomputers. We are not going to stop here.” He said, ”India is already leading in technologies like quantum computing. Our National Quantum Mission will play a big role in taking India forward in this field. This new technology is going to completely change our world in the coming times. This will bring unprecedented changes and create new opportunities in the IT sector, manufacturing, industry, MSME and startup sectors.
Modi said his government is giving priority to science, technology and research. He said, “Preparations for Mission Gaganyaan have started and by 2035 we will have our own space station.” Approval has been given. Modi said, “Self-reliance through research is our mission.” The Prime Minister was earlier scheduled to inaugurate these projects from Pune but his visit was canceled due to heavy rains in Maharashtra.
What are the features, what will work?
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), three Param Rudra supercomputers have been designed in line with the commitment to make India self-reliant in the field of supercomputing technology. These supercomputers have been deployed in Pune, Delhi and Kolkata for cutting-edge scientific research. The Giant Meter Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune will use the supercomputer to detect fast radio bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena.
The Inter University Accelerator Center (IUAC) in Delhi will promote research in areas such as materials science and nuclear physics while the SN Bose Center in Kolkata will promote advanced research in areas such as physics, cosmology and earth sciences.
A high performance computing (HPC) system designed for weather and climate research that the Prime Minister inaugurated has been built with an investment of Rs 850 crore. According to the PMO, the project is a significant step forward in India’s computational capabilities for meteorological applications. The PMO said this HPC system, located at two major sites – Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune and National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) in Noida, has extraordinary computing power.
The new HPC systems have been named ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’, reflecting their relation to the Sun. These high-resolution models will significantly increase the accurate predictions and ‘lead time’ of tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms, heatwaves, droughts and other critical meteorological events.