In a monumental step towards advancing India's scientific and technological capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated three PARAM Rudra supercomputers on Thursday. These high-performance computing (HPC) systems, developed indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), mark a significant milestone in India's journey towards becoming a self-reliant supercomputing nation.
Deployed across three key scientific hubs—Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata—the PARAM Rudra supercomputers were built at a total cost of ₹130 crore. They are expected to revolutionize research in diverse fields, ranging from astronomy and material science to atomic physics and cosmology, reinforcing India's position in cutting-edge global scientific endeavors.
India's Technological Vision: A Quantum Leap Forward
Addressing the virtual launch, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the critical role of technology and computing power in today’s rapidly evolving world.
"Every sector today depends on technology and computational power," Modi emphasized. "In this revolution, our contribution must go beyond bits and bytes, aiming for terabytes and petabytes. This milestone confirms that we are progressing on the right path with the right momentum."
Modi hailed the launch of the PARAM Rudra systems as an essential step toward self-reliance in computing, noting that these supercomputers are a testament to India’s ability to innovate and lead in scientific research on the global stage.
Pioneering Research Across India’s Top Scientific Institutions
The deployment of the PARAM Rudra supercomputers is set to impact some of India’s premier research institutions:
- Pune: The Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) will harness the power of PARAM Rudra to delve into astronomical phenomena such as Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), shedding light among the most mysterious phenomena in the universe.
- Delhi: At the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), the supercomputing system will facilitate cutting-edge research in material science and atomic physics, paving the way for advancements in nanotechnology, quantum mechanics, and nuclear research.
- Kolkata: The S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences will utilize the system to explore complex topics in physics, cosmology, and earth sciences. Researchers at the center aim to make breakthroughs in understanding the fundamental forces of the universe and the structure of matter.
These installations not only elevate India’s scientific capabilities but also position the nation as a leader in high-performance computing across multiple disciplines.
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The National Supercomputing Mission: A Roadmap for India’s Future
Launched in 2015, the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Its aim is to build a network of state-of-the-art supercomputing systems to accelerate scientific research across the country.
With the launch of PARAM Rudra, India has taken another step closer to fulfilling NSM's goal of creating a robust supercomputing ecosystem, which is critical for research and innovation in fields like weather forecasting, space exploration, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence.
The PARAM Rudra systems are part of a broader strategy to integrate supercomputing power into India's research and development landscape, ensuring that the country remains at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation.
Empowering Society Through Technology
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the broader societal implications of technological advancement, underscoring that the benefits of supercomputing should reach every corner of society, including the most marginalized.
"Supercomputers aren't merely technological achievements; they serve as powerful instruments to uplift and address the needs of the most marginalized individuals in society," said Modi.
By enabling advanced research and driving technological innovation, the PARAM Rudra supercomputers will have a far-reaching impact on sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, contributing to national growth and development.
Expanding the Horizon: India's Supercomputing Revolution
The launch of the PARAM Rudra systems is part of India’s larger vision of expanding its supercomputing capacity. The NSM envisions a network of over 70 supercomputers being installed across the country, with a cumulative computing power of over 450 petaflops.
These efforts are set to enhance India’s capacity to tackle complex global challenges—ranging from climate change to pandemics—by leveraging the power of high-performance computing.
Modi's Virtual Launch Amid Unforeseen Weather Conditions
Although Prime Minister Modi initially planned to launch the supercomputers in Pune, heavy rains in the city forced a change in plans. In addition to inaugurating the supercomputing systems, Modi was scheduled to flag off a new Metro train line and unveil development projects worth ₹22,600 crore. Despite the weather, the virtual launch underscored the government's commitment to pushing forward with critical projects, even under challenging circumstances.
A New Era for Indian Science and Technology
With the PARAM Rudra supercomputers now operational, India enters a new era of scientific discovery and technological innovation. These systems will serve as catalysts for groundbreaking research, enabling Indian scientists to tackle some of the most pressing questions in science and technology.
As the country strengthens its supercomputing infrastructure, it also reaffirms its position as a global leader in science and technology, contributing to international research collaborations and fostering innovation.
The launch of PARAM Rudra is not just a step forward for Indian science—it's a giant leap for India's future.