Dr. Pandurang is best known for developing the first Indian supercomputer, the PARAM 8000, in 1991.
The prototype of the quantum computer is ready. Within three years, India will have its own quantum computer, said Dr. Pandurang. He told this in Lucknow, where he was attending the 67th convocation of Lucknow University as the chief guest.
To recall, India is fast progressing towards indigenous quantum computer power. Under the National Quantum Mission, India aims to develop a 24-qubit quantum computer within the next three years and a 100-qubit system in five years. This initiative is being led by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai, with collaborations from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
This development is part of a broader effort to advance India’s capabilities in quantum technology, which includes computing, communication, measurement, and sensing2. The mission has a substantial budget and is expected to foster innovation and research in this cutting-edge field
Dr. Pandurang, who led the led the development of India's Param supercomputers in the late 1980s, also revealed that during the discussion about the visit of the supercomputer to India, the then US President Ronald Reagan was ready to give the supercomputer to India, but he had laid down some conditions. Ronald wanted India to use it in the context of climate and not in any other context. One of these conditions was that if India violates the conditions, then all other agreements with India will be Cancelled by the US.
America feared that India could use the supercomputer to make missiles. Dr. Pandurang said that India is a country with an agricultural economy. In such a situation, it is important to give timely information to farmers by making accurate estimates about the climate regarding their crops. He told that when America made the supercomputer, the then Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi was ready to buy it, he also talked to America. But, after the talks failed due to the condition, on returning to India, Rajiv Gandhi called him and asked if we can make a supercomputer. "So I replied why can't We". Although I have not seen the supercomputer, I have only seen the picture. He told that at that time Japan was trying to make a supercomputer. Rajiv Gandhi again asked how long it would take to be made, so I replied that it would be ready in 3 years.
Dr. Pandurang was the founder and executive director of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and is currently working on developing exascale supercomputing for India.
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