PARAM:The First Indian Supercomputer

Rajiv Gandhi:

The prime minister of India (1984-1989) had returned from USA with disappointment.His first attempt to purchase a supercomputer was failed.Ronald Reagan had politely rejected his plea.

His dream to take India to 21st century as an improved country  had suffered from a major draw back. Multiple attempts were made to convince US president but all doors were closed.We knew American policy that the current technology will not be shared to any developing countries like India. Eventually dream of Rajiv Gandhi was over ruled.

 Foreign Affairs executives and ministery itself suggested that Russia may sell  its supercomputer. India-Russia had good relationship so it maybe an added benefit to us.

The deal went smoothly but US interrupted.USSR was in process of disintegration and many countries broke out of USSR were being formed .America supported these countries.On American intervention Russia withdrew the deal.

 The prime minister of India was very much disappointment.A conference at CSIR(Council of  scientific and Industrial Research ) in 1987 ,PM was discussing this problem with many renowned scientist .They expressed there discontent on PM asking other countries to setup India's  supercomputer. CSIR thinkers proposed that Indian brains equally potent as America and USSR ones an indigenous supercomputer can be made. Rajiv Gandhi was not convinced at all.He doubted Indian scientists ability.But looking at situation he agreed on the proposal. 

The role of CDAC

CSIR transferred the project to CDAC(Center for Development and Advanced Computing), CDAC summoned all scientists from all over the country to work on India's greatest ever project. Every scientist, with great motivation of initiating an advanced technology, commenced work on the complicated project. $30 million was the fund provided for the entire project. Although the amount seems massive, it was a petty chunk of money that was invested. Within three years, the extraordinary happened. CDAC finally completed its work well within the proposed deadline.

All the computer analysts, experts and scientists involved had worked their socks off. The sweat on their brow had created history. For the first time ever, a developing country had pulled off such a miracle in advanced computer development. Needless to say, the world was shocked at this achievement. The first indigenous supercomputer created by India was named ‘PARAM 8000’.

Dr. Vijay Bhatkar

Dr. Vijay Bhatkar is known as the architect of this project. He was one of the strongest  protesters against India begging for a Supercomputer. He was also one of the forward speakers who insisted that Indian’s can make their own advanced technology. It was his belief in Indian brains that made us achieve this incredible feat.

Dr. Bhatkar went on to lead CDAC to create ‘PARAM 10000’- India’s second Supercomputer in 1998. He also built National Param Super-computing Facility (NPSF) which now functions as the foundation to High Performance Computing (HPC) in India

Facts about the PARAM series

PARAM series was produced using completely indigenous resources.

PARAM supercomputers are used by both public and private operators for various purposes. As of 2008, 52 PARAMs have been deployed. Of these, 8 are located in Russia, Singapore, Germany and Canada. PARAMs have also been sold to Tanzania, Armenia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Ghana, Myanmar, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

– Speed of this Supercomputer is equivalent to any other such machine in the world

– PARAM series has the most reasonable cost of production

– It is the cheapest supercomputer in the World.

– Four major supercomputers have been created since PARAM 8000, the latest one being Param Yuva II.

source:www.quora.com(manni kumar)