Nepal to receive Indian supercomputer
The anxiety is justified because Nepal still does not know the type and worth of the supercomputer that it is about to receive. "We still don’t know the details of its type," conceded Purusottam Ghimire, spokesperson at the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).A supercomputer is the fastest computer available. It is a highly powerful computer chiefly used for processing a large number of data in specific numerical prediction.
It is basically useful for research works. The computer is able to calculate or process any data in split seconds.
Rishi Shah, a senior scientist, said a "reasonable" supercomputer could cost around US$50 million in the market.
Officials at MoST confided to The Kathmandu Post that the estimated operational cost of the supercomputer could amount to as much as Rs. five million. This is an expense that some experts feel may be unaffordable.
India is offering the supercomputer to Nepal under the Programme of Cooperationf signed between the concerned ministries of the two countries in the field of science and technology.
Ghimire added that a task force would find out the details of the computer and also go to India to appraise the model.
A three-member task force has been formed by MoST to study the needs and feasibility of the computer. The members in the committee are from the National Information Technology Centre, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DoHM), and the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST).
"The task force will also estimate the costs of operating the computer and the way it will be used," added Ghimire. "Specifically, the computer would be used for weather predictions," he added.
"After the link-up with the Indian satellite (INSAT), the supercomputer will be useful in providing better, accurate and up-to-date weather forecasting," said Dr Madan Lal Shrestha, director general at the DoHM. But he also cautioned that necessary software, infrastructure and manpower would be needed to operate the supra machine. "Just getting a computer will not work magic," he added.
In the same vein, scientists fear that the supercomputer might end up like giving a laptop to a rural kid. "A lot of homework needs to be done so that optimal results are gained," said Shah, adding, "It just can’t be stacked away somewhere.""The supercomputer is arriving soon. Therefore, the Ministry must work out a plan for training manpower required for operating it," added Shah.
It is worth noting that the present technological manpower in Nepal is still in a young stage. And it has not been many years since Nepal produced its first batch of IT graduates.Posted on: 2003-11-05 08:55
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Abin
His general strike is under way His group should follow their banda ...then mine... so you have to wait to announce a shutdown
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