by Ashis Sinha
In a move toward enhancing India’s technological self-reliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to dedicate three PARAM Rudra supercomputers, valued at approximately Rs 130 crore, to the nation. These advanced computing systems have been developed under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) and will be instrumental in bolstering scientific research across the country.
The supercomputers are strategically deployed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata, with each location focusing on specialized research areas:
Pune: The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) will utilize the supercomputers to investigate fast radio bursts and other astronomical phenomena.
Delhi: The Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) will enhance research capabilities in material science and atomic physics.
Kolkata: The S. N. Bose Centre will drive cutting-edge research in physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate a high-performance computing system designed for weather and climate research, a project that represents an investment of Rs 850 crore. This initiative marks a significant advancement in India’s capabilities for meteorological applications.
Key Features of the PARAM Rudra Supercomputers:
Advanced Technology: PARAM Rudra incorporates state-of-the-art hardware and software, with a majority of its components manufactured and assembled in India.
High-Speed Processing: The supercomputers are capable of executing complex calculations and simulations rapidly, enabling researchers to tackle intricate challenges across various fields.
Wide Applicability: These systems will support research in weather forecasting, climate modeling, drug discovery, materials science, and artificial intelligence, providing essential computational tools for significant discoveries.
The NSM aims to establish a robust supercomputing infrastructure to meet the growing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups, marking a pioneering effort to elevate the nation’s computing power.
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune has developed the PARAM Rudra system, which boasts a processing capability of 1 PetaFLOP and is equipped with advanced Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). This enhancement will significantly improve the GMRT’s data processing capabilities, enabling more detailed studies in radio astronomy and the interstellar medium.
An official from the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) confirmed that Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the PARAM Rudra supercomputer via video conference, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing research and technological innovation in astronomy and beyond.
