On September 26, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three PARAM Rudra supercomputers, which have been developed domestically as part of the National Supercomputing Mission. He emphasized that contemporary India is creating new avenues within the vast realm of possibilities. The Prime Minister articulated that a nation can aspire to significant accomplishments only with a grand vision and highlighted the necessity for technological advancements to serve the underprivileged. He further noted that his administration has implemented measures to ensure that technological research yields benefits for the general populace. The High-Performance Computing systems are specifically designed for research in weather and climate, representing a substantial investment of ₹850 crore. During the launch, PM Modi remarked on the initiation of the national supercomputing mission in 2015, pointing out that advancements in quantum computing technology are poised to enhance sectors such as information technology, manufacturing, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and startups.
“Our mission is to promote science for self-reliance,” stated Prime Minister Modi. He further elaborated that the three supercomputers, which were developed at an investment of ₹130 crore, have been strategically installed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata to support groundbreaking scientific research. Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated a High-Performance Computing system, valued at ₹850 crore, specifically designed for weather and climate research, characterizing the occasion as a significant milestone in the realm of science and technology. He emphasized that every sector is dependent on technology and computational power, asserting that India’s contribution to this technological revolution should extend beyond mere bits and bytes to encompass terabytes and petabytes. This accomplishment, he noted, is indicative of the nation’s progress in the right direction and at an appropriate pace. “The importance of science lies not only in innovation and advancement but also in meeting the aspirations of every individual,” PM Modi remarked. He also highlighted India’s initiative to establish its own semiconductor ecosystem, which he identified as a crucial component of the global supply chain.
The Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) situated in Pune is set to utilize a supercomputer to investigate Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) along with various other astronomical events. Meanwhile, the Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi aims to bolster research in disciplines such as material science and atomic physics, while the S.N. Bose Centre in Kolkata is poised to advance research in fields including physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.The High-Performance Computing (HPC) system has been specifically designed for research related to weather and climate, representing a substantial investment of ₹850 crore, which signifies a major advancement in India’s computational capabilities for meteorological studies. This HPC system is strategically located at two prominent institutions: the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (NCMRWF) in Noida, both of which possess remarkable computing power.The newly established HPC systems have been named ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika,’ symbolizing their association with the Sun. These advanced high-resolution models are expected to greatly improve the precision and lead time of forecasts concerning tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms, heat waves, droughts, and other significant weather events.
