by Ashis Sinha
Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three state-of-the-art PARAM Rudra supercomputing systems and a high-performance computing system for weather and climate studies this evening via video conferencing. The initiative, valued at approximately 130 crore rupees, is part of the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) and highlights India’s commitment to advancing its scientific research capabilities.
The PARAM Rudra supercomputers are strategically deployed across Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata, each designated for specialized research initiatives.
In Pune, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) will utilize the supercomputers to explore fast radio bursts and other significant astronomical phenomena.
In Delhi, the Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) will leverage the technology to enhance research in material science and atomic physics.
Kolkata’s S. N. Bose Centre will focus on pioneering studies in physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.
Key Features of PARAM Rudra:
Advanced Technology: The PARAM Rudra systems incorporate cutting-edge hardware and software, with most components manufactured and assembled in India.
High-Speed Processing: These supercomputers are designed to execute complex calculations and simulations swiftly, enabling researchers to address intricate challenges across multiple disciplines.
Wide Applicability: The systems are set to support various research areas, including weather forecasting, climate modeling, drug discovery, materials science, and artificial intelligence, providing crucial computational resources for significant advancements.
The NSM aims to establish a robust supercomputing infrastructure to meet the escalating computational demands of academia, researchers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and startups, marking a pivotal effort to enhance the nation’s computing power.
Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune, the PARAM Rudra system boasts an impressive processing capability of 1 PetaFLOP and is equipped with advanced Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). This upgrade will greatly enhance GMRT’s data processing capabilities, allowing for more detailed investigations in radio astronomy and the interstellar medium.
