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Prime Minister Narendra Modi
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled three Param Rudra supercomputing systems and a high-performance computing system for weather and climate via video conferencing. With these super technological devices, India takes a big leap towards computing and innovations in science and tech.
Prime Minister Modi said India’s ability to build supercomputers is a matter of national pride. It would touch the everyday lives of common citizens, benefitting them and opening up new possibilities to secure India’s position on a global level. He added that supercomputers will play a crucial role in this AI and machine learning era.
"The three supercomputers that have been launched today will help in advanced research from Physics to Earth Science and Cosmology. These are the areas in which today's Science and Technology world is looking at the world of the future. Today, in this era of digital revolution, computing capacity is becoming synonymous with national capability... There is no sector which is not directly dependent on Technology and Computing Capability. This is the biggest basis of India's success in Industry 4.0...," Modi had remarked.
High-Performance Computing (HPC) system ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’
Narendra Modi also inaugurated a High-Performance Computing (HPC) system ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’ customized for weather and climate research. Located at two key sites, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune and the National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (NCMRWF) in Noida, this HPC system is a ₹850 crore project of India. The high-resolution models ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’ will enhance the accuracy and lead time of predictions related to tropical cyclones, heavy precipitation, thunderstorms, hailstorms, heat waves, droughts, and other critical weather phenomena.
Desi supercomputers
The supercomputers built at a cost of ₹130 crore have been installed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata to drive pioneering research across multiple scientific disciplines.
The Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune will utilize the supercomputer to explore astronomical phenomena such as Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs).
Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi will leverage the new system for research in fields like material science and atomic physics. While S.N. Bose Centre in Kolkata will conduct advanced research in physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.
“With Param Rudra Supercomputers and HPC system, India takes significant step towards self-reliance in computing and driving innovation in science and tech,” the Prime Minister tweeted on X.