PM Modi Launches Three PARAM Rudra Supercomputers: A Game Changer for Indian Science and Meteorology!

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three PARAM Rudra Supercomputers valued at approximately ₹130 crore through video conferencing. Developed indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), these supercomputers have been installed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata to support groundbreaking scientific research.

Applications and Research Focus

The Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune will utilize the supercomputer to investigate Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena. Meanwhile, the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi aims to advance research in areas such as material science and atomic physics. The S.N. Bose Centre in Kolkata will focus on high-level research in physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.

 

During the launch, PM Modi highlighted that India’s capability to develop supercomputers is a point of national pride. These advancements are expected to benefit the daily lives of ordinary citizens, ushering in significant changes for the future.

The Role of AI and Machine Learning

The Prime Minister noted that supercomputers are set to play a crucial role in the age of AI and machine learning, facilitating innovative research and applications across various sectors.

Make in India Initiative: Preparing for the Future

PM Modi stated that the Make in India initiative will equip citizens for future technological developments. He asserted that supercomputers will fuel new research and broaden opportunities to enhance India’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Introduction of High-Performance Computing Systems

In addition to the supercomputers, PM Modi inaugurated a High-Performance Computing (HPC) system named ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika,’ specifically designed for weather and climate research.

Enhancing Meteorological Predictions

This initiative represents an investment of ₹850 crore and signifies a major advancement in India’s computational capabilities for meteorological applications. Located at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune and the National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (NCMRWF) in Noida, this HPC system boasts extraordinary computing power.

The high-resolution models ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’ are expected to greatly improve the accuracy and lead time of predictions for tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms, heat waves, droughts, and other critical weather events.