Namaskar!
Honourable Minister for Electronics and IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, esteemed directors of various research institutions across the nation, distinguished senior scientists, engineers, researchers, students, other dignitaries, and ladies and gentlemen!
Today marks a significant achievement for Bharat in the field of science and technology. It is also a testament to how 21st century Bharat is advancing by prioritising science, technology, and research. Bharat today is forging new opportunities in the limitless expanse of possibilities. Our scientists and engineers have successfully built three ‘Param Rudra Supercomputers’. These state-of-the-art supercomputers have been installed in Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata. Additionally, two High-Performance Computing Systems, Arka and Arunika, have been inaugurated. On this momentous occasion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the nation’s scientific community, engineers, and all citizens.
Brothers and sisters,
At the start of my third term, I pledged to provide an additional 25 days to the youth, beyond the existing 100-day framework. In line with that commitment, I am pleased to dedicate these supercomputers to the youth of our nation today. These advanced systems will play a pivotal role in ensuring that Bharat’s young scientists have access to cutting-edge technology right here in their own country. The three supercomputers launched today will facilitate advanced research across a spectrum of fields, including physics, earth sciences, and cosmology—fields that are shaping the future of science and technology on the global stage.
Friends,
In this era of digital revolution, computing power has become synonymous with national strength. Whether it’s research opportunities in science and technology, economic growth, national strategic capability, disaster management, ease of living, or ease of doing business—there is no sector untouched by technology and computing capacity. This is the foundation of Bharat’s success in Industry 4.0. Our contribution to this revolution should not be in mere bits and bytes, but in terabytes and petabytes. Today’s achievement stands as proof that we are progressing in the right direction and at the right pace.
Friends,
Today’s New India is not content with merely competing with the rest of the world in development and technology. This New India considers it a responsibility to serve humanity through its scientific research. This is our duty: ‘Self-reliance through research’. Science for self-reliance has become our guiding mantra. To this end, we have launched several historic initiatives such as Digital India, Startup India, and Make in India. To nurture scientific temper in Bharat’s future generations, more than 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been established in schools.
Additionally, scholarships for education in STEM subjects have been significantly increased. This year’s budget also announced a research fund of Rs 1 lakh crore. Our goal is to enable Bharat to empower the 21st-century world with its innovations and to strengthen the global community.
Friends,
Today, there is no sector where Bharat is not making new decisions or formulating new policies. A prime example of this is the space Bharat has now emerged as a major power in space exploration. What other nations have accomplished with billions of dollars, our scientists have achieved with limited resources. Driven by this determination, Bharat became the first country to reach the South Pole of the Moon. With the same resolve, Bharat is now preparing for Mission Gaganyaan. “Bharat’s Mission Gaganyaan is not just about reaching space, but about soaring to the boundless heights of our scientific aspirations.” As you may know, Bharat has set a goal of building its own space station by 2035. Just a few days ago, the government approved the first phase of this ambitious project.
Friends,
Semiconductors have also become a crucial element of modern development. In response, the Government of India has launched a significant initiative called the ‘India Semiconductor Mission’. In a remarkably short time, we are already witnessing positive outcomes. Bharat is developing its own semiconductor ecosystem, which will be a vital part of the global supply chain. Today, Bharat’s multi-dimensional scientific advancements will be further bolstered by the three PARAM Rudra supercomputers.
Friends,
A country achieves great success when it sets bold and ambitious goals. Bharat’s journey from supercomputers to quantum computing is a testament to this visionary approach. There was a time when supercomputers were considered the domain of only a select few nations. However, in 2015, we launched the National Supercomputing Mission, and today India is competing with the world’s leading countries in the field of supercomputers. But we will not stop here. Bharat is already at the forefront of technologies like quantum computing. Our National Quantum Mission will play a pivotal role in advancing Bharat’s capabilities in quantum computing. This revolutionary technology will drastically transform the world in the near future, bringing unprecedented changes to sectors such as IT, manufacturing, MSMEs, and startups, creating new opportunities. Bharat is determined to take the lead and offer new direction to the world. Friends, “The true significance of science lies not only in invention and development but in fulfilling the aspirations of the most disadvantaged.”
As we embrace high-tech advancements, we are also ensuring that these technologies become a source of empowerment for the poor. Bharat’s digital economy, exemplified by our UPI system, is a shining example of this. Recently, we launched ‘Mission Mausam’, which aims to realise our dream of making Bharat weather-ready and climate-smart. The achievements we celebrate today, such as supercomputers and the High-Performance Computing System (HPC), will ultimately serve the poor and rural areas of our country. With the introduction of HPC systems, the country’s scientific capability to predict the weather will be greatly enhanced. We will now be able to provide far more accurate weather information at a hyper-local level, meaning we can deliver precise forecasts even for individual villages. When a supercomputer analyses the weather and soil conditions in a remote village, it is not merely a scientific achievement, but a transformative change in the lives of thousands, if not lakhs. The supercomputer will ensure that even the smallest-scale farmers have access to the world’s most advanced knowledge.
This advancement will bring profound benefits to farmers, especially in the most remote areas, as they will have access to world-class knowledge. Farmers will be able to make more informed decisions about their crops, and fishermen will benefit from more precise information when going to sea. We will also find new ways to minimise the losses suffered by farmers, and it will aid in providing better access to insurance schemes. Additionally, this technology will allow us to create AI and machine learning models that will benefit all stakeholders. Our capability to develop supercomputers domestically is not only a source of national pride, but it will also pave the way for transformative changes in the everyday lives of ordinary citizens in the near future.
In this era of AI and machine learning, supercomputers will play a pivotal role. Just as Bharat has developed its 5G network using indigenous technology, and as major companies now manufacture mobile phones in Bharat, this has given new momentum to the nation’s digital revolution. As a result, we have been able to extend the reach of technology and its benefits to every citizen of the country. In the same way, our capacity to develop future technologies, and the success of Make in India, will equip the common man for the future. Supercomputers will drive new research across all sectors, creating new possibilities and opportunities. The general public will directly benefit from this, ensuring they do not fall behind but progress alongside the rest of the world.
For the youth of my country—when Bharat is the youngest nation globally—and as the future will be driven by science and technology, this is a moment that will open the door to countless new opportunities. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the youth as well as all my countrymen for these remarkable achievements.
I hope that our youth and researchers will make full use of these advanced facilities to explore new frontiers in the field of science. Once again, my best wishes to you all.