C-DAC
and the Super Computing
G V Joshi
 In
India, the name C-DAC (Centre for
Development of Advanced Computing) has
become synonymous with supercomputing or
High Performance Computing (HPC) as it is
also called.
The reason for that lies in the history
of C-DAC. In late 1980s, India, faced
with a technology non-cooperation regime
that denied its scientific community
access to supercomputers, in particular
Cray systems, set up C-DAC in March 1988
with the clear mandate to develop an HPC
system to meet high-speed computational
needs in solving scientific and other
developmental problems where fast
computing is absolutely necessary.
Following a specific recommendation to
that effect, C-DAC was established at
Pune, as a scientific society of the then
Department of Electronics (now the
Department of Information Technology
(DIT) under the Ministry of
Communications and Information
Technology).
C-DAC achieved its primary target of
developing a supercomputer with a
capability of one giga, or one billion,
floating point operations a second in the
early 1990s. Christened PARAM 8000, it
set the platform for a whole series of
computers, called the PARAM series, over
the years, with PARAM 20000, or PARAM
Padma, breaking the teraflop (Tflop)
(thousand billion flops) barrier in 2002
with a peak speed of 1 Tflop.
The latest in the series is called PARAM
Yuva, which was developed in 2008 and was
ranked 68 in the TOP 500 list released in
November 2008 at the Supercomputing
Conference in Austin, Texas, USA.
A supercomputer is a computer that is at
the frontline of current processing
capacity, particularly the speed of
calculation.
Supercomputers are used for highly
calculation-intensive tasks such as
problems, involving weather forecasting,
climate research, computing the
structures and properties of chemical
compounds, biological macromolecules,
polymers, and crystals, simulation of
airplanes in wind tunnels, simulation of
the detonation of nuclear weapons, and
research into nuclear fusion, secret code
braking and the like. Major universities,
Defence establishments and scientific
research laboratories are its heavy
users.
C-DAC has also set up a National PARAM
Supercomputing Facility (NPSF) in Pune,
to allow researchers access to HPC
systems to solve their computer -
intensive problems, C-DAC’s efforts
in this strategically and economically
important area have thus put India on the
supercomputing map of the world along
with select developed nations of the
world.
As of 2008, 52 PARAM systems have been
deployed in the country and abroad, eight
of them at locations in Russia,
Singapore, Germany and Canada.
Having thus fulfilled its primary goal,
C-DAC broadened its spectrum of
activities to give true meaning to the
phrase Advanced Computing embedded in its
name.
C-DAC now has 11 R&D centres, which
are located in Pune, Bangalore Chennai,
Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, New
Delhi, Noida and Thiruvananthapuram, and
the number of highly skilled employees
exceeds 2,500.
C-DAC's language technology mission was
initiated to create a framework to
support various Indian languages with
diverse scripts on standard computers.
C-DAC's innovation in language
technologies began with its widely
acclaimed Graphics and Intelligence based
Script Technology (GIST), whose inventor
initiated its development at IIT Kanpur
and later joined C-DAC in the early
1990s.
In fact, this led to the creation of a
GIST group within C-DAC, which developed
several applications using GIST.
C-DAC has also developed a Real Time
Weather System (RTWS) called Anuman, a
fully automated flexible, portable,
web-based software for simulations of
weather.
C-DAC's Avanced Computing Training School
(ACTS) is dedicated to creating high
quality manpower for C-DAC in particular
and the IT industry in general through
the designing and delivering various
courses. The courses are offered through
a network of more than 100 authorized
training centres in India, besides the
C-DAC's own centres in Pune, Delhi,
Hyderabad & Bangalore.
C-DAC's work on Machine-Assisted
Translation System, MANTRA, got the
Computerworld Smithsonian Award and is
the part of the "1999 Innovation
Collection" in the National Museum
for American History.
The newest initiative of C-DAC is LILA -
Learning Indian Language through
Artificial Intelligence - a multi-media
based intelligent self-tutoring
application for learning Hindi as a
second language through southern Indian
languages. Users can study for the Hindi
Prabodh, Praveen and Pragya examinations
through the medium of Kannada, Malayalam,
Tamil and Telugu through their PCs and
INTERNET.
Facilities include reading and writing of
Hindi alphabets, a speech interface to
enable correct pronounciation and
intonation; an online bilingual
dictionary, a tool to record and compare
one's own voice with standard
pronounciation as well as grammar notes,
interactive exercises and tests.
Through such services, C-DAC continues to
help Indians surmount the barriers of
Languages. Its mission: Dissolving
language barriers we strive to reach out
to place the power of computing in the
hands of the people of India. C-DAC thus
continues to bring computers closer to
millions of people for whom lack of
English language skills still remains an
obstacle.
C-DAC also invented LIPS (Language
Independent Programme Subtitles/Dubbing)
which is used by the Doordarshan. C-DAC's
citizen ID card technology was used to
make ID cards for voters.
The motto of C-DAC is "If anybody
can do it, C-DAC should do it."
(PTI)
Spooky Soap Dish
Zeenat Zafar
 Spooky
thrillers like Aahat and The Zee Horror
Show were popular with Indian viewers
until the soaring TRPs of the saas-bahu
shows took over. However, tables have
turned yet again, making the end of
sobbing saga, but with a new twist. TV is
still dominated by emotional drama and
spiced with vampish plots, but it has now
got a tinge of supernatural element too.
Increasingly, daily soap on all Hindi
GECs have either incorporated a witch, a
tantrik, black magic or a God descending
to Earth to help His devotee.
While purely horror shows like shhh.. Pir
Koi Hai and Balaji telefilm's Koi Aane Ko
Hai have their dedicated audience, the
focus of TV directors has shifted to
shows like Sahara One's Shubh Kadam, Zee
TV's Shree, 9X's Black, a first-of-its
kind horror comedy show Bhootwala Serial,
and last but not the least Star Plus'
Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat.
The latter lot has a tinge of the
supernatural interspersed with household
drama and comedy, creating what industry
experts call "soft horror".
With an increasing demand of such shows,
the TV industry has got an extra flavour,
which was missing in the daily saas-bahu
sagas.
Apara Mehta, playing a witch, with feet
turned around in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat,
admits that small screen is going through
a different phase and each new phase is a
welcome change. If shows like Kyunkii and
Kahani can create their own era, why
can't the supernatural shows too have a
room?
"I am playing one of the vicious
sisters who enter the royal family. With
my magical powers, I try to hypnotise the
family members and create a series of
troubles for them. This change of concept
is not new. Though the trend of good
horror shows was seen long back, it has
come back, but with a twist. A lot of
films are also being made on horror
themes. Most of the times, TV content
inspires them," says Apara
Take the case of Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat,
which stared with a sweet love story of
Rani and Yuvraj, but has now turned into
a black magic game of the witches.
Apara and Nupur Alankar's entry did
affect the TRPs of the show initially,
but has eventually caught up with the
viewers' interest. Before the new concept
was introduced, the show averaged a TRP
of 3, which went down to 2 when the
witches came in.
Anjali Abrol, Rani of Raja …, say:
"The increase in show's TRPs
reasserts that viewers have liked the new
element.
While another show Shree, a love story on
the surface with a supernatural element,
thrives on tantrism which is acting as
icing on the cake. The story revolves
around ashubh saya (evil sprit) on Hari
which prevents him from getting married.
In a short span of time the show has made
its own space on primetime.
Wasna Ahmed, lead of Shree says, the TV
industry has opened its doors to the
supernatural shows for good. She feels,
including multiple concepts to a show
needs special ability which all
story-tellers don't have. And that's the
reason why people are loving all such
shows.
"Initially, when we started the
show, we were apprehensive about its
success. But now it is one of the most
popular shows. It feels nice when other
shows try to copy you as they see the
TRP's going up," Wasna says.
With all the channels gradually joining
the bandwagon, and viewers responding in
a positive way, it definitely marks a new
era for the Indian television industry.
What needs to be seen is how long can
this concept sustain. Would it take over
the current craze surrounding the reality
shows or would it phase out soon?
"Supernatural shows have never lost
their charm. But this trend in the TV
industry will be short lived. You can't
stretch the matter for a long time,"
says Anuradha Prasad, chairperson and MD,
BAG Films. INAV
Diabetics prone to
heat stroke
Dr. Jitendra Singh
 The
sun which blesses with the light and
warmth of life is also capable of
extinguishing the very flame of life
nurtured by it if one fails to observe
necessary safeguards against the summer
heat particularly when one is suffering
from a vulnerable affliction like
Diabetes and more so in case of
unacclimitised individuals like for
example the Kashmiri migrant Diabetics.
When the summer sun rises to its pristine
glory, one cannot remain oblivious of the
fact that the same sun which we worship,
the God, the benefactor of all the living
beings, the source of life's warmth and
enormous solary energy does not refrain
from showing its wrath whenever we forget
to observe the precautions laid down to
avoid sun strokes particularly if some of
us are already susceptible on account of
an underlying disorder like Diabetes
Millitus.
The sun which blesses with the light and
warmth of life is also capable of
extinguishing the very flame of life
nurtured by it if one fails to observe
necessary safeguards against the summer
heat particularly when one is suffering
from a vulnerable affliction like
Diabetes and more so in case of
unacclimitised individuals like for
example the Kashmiri migrant Diabeties.
It is well known that some people
withstand the severity of seasonal heat
and humidity better while others cannot.
The individual vulnerability gets further
enhanced especially in the presence of
Diabetes on account of a number of
factors. For example, Diabetes leads to a
reduction in general physical resistance
and perserverance. Second, because of the
consequent sequential changes like
neuropathy, alteration in sweat gland
response and changes in skin itself,
Diabetes makes an individual more
susceptible to heat stroke and heat
exhaustion.
Avoid Venturing Outdoors
As a matter of fact, the advice for all
the Diabetics is that they must avoid
moving outdoors during extremes of
temperatures, that is, both during
extreme heat wave as also during extreme
cold wave in winter months. Exposure to
such extremes of temperature can also
sometimes trigger a heart attack in a
Diabetic particularly when he or she
belongs to elderly age group. However, it
is worthwhile mentioning that direct
exposure to sun is not always absolutely
essential for a heat stroke to take place
which can sometimes also occur indoors if
there is high percentage of humidity
coupled with heat in a poorly ventilated
over-crowded room.
Consume Plenty of Fluids
Diabetics are advised to observe certain
basic safeguards. These include wearing
clothes which donot interfere with
evaporation of sweat from the body,
avoiding over-crowded enclosed space and
avoiding hectic muscle activity which is
liable to generate excessive body heat.
A very important tip is to consume plenty
of fluids even without thirst during the
hot weather. Diabetics are expected to
exercise discretion while choosing
beverages and soft drinks although of
late there have appeared certain soft
drinks which contain artificial
sweeteners and are specially formulated
for Diabetics. However, the best choice
is to have lots and lots of fresh lime
juice containing a pinch of salt and
sweetened by adding
"sugar-free" tablets.
Kabir, the saint
Pt. R.C .Awasthi,
Shastri
 It
was the day of Jyeshth Shudhi Purnima in
the year 1455 of Vikram era at Lahartara
pond in Kashi that marked the advent of
Kabir Sahib into this world. Recorded
events state that Ashtanand, a disciple
of Swami Ramanand Ji who was meditating
on the banks of this pond witnessed an
extraordinary miracle when a bright white
light alighted from the skies and
culminated into an infant on a lotus
flower at the pond.
Stunned with surprise Ashtanand Ji
narrated the incident to Swami Ramanand
Ji. At this Swami Ramanand Ji predicted
“the child emerging out of this
heavenly light will soon dispel the
darkness from this entire world”.
True to the prophecy, this child who
became well known to the world by the
name of “Sant Samrat Mahatma
Kabir.” Caused a paradigm shift in
the entire concept of man and the
Almighty and bestowed the humanity with a
knowledge sprouting out of the deepest
states of Samadhi( beyond Turiyateet).It
was not an unstable knowledge gathered
from various books but an impeccable
Anubhuti(Self-Experience)where
Sadhak(Disciple) and the Almighty
virtually hold each other face to face.
The vaani of mysticism might be defined
as a temperamental reaction to the vision
of Reality: as well as a form of
prophecy. As it is the special vocation
of the mystical consciousness to mediate
between two orders, going out in loving
adoration towards the Supreme Being and
coming home to tell the secrets of
Eternity to other men; so the artistic
expression of this consciousness has also
a double character. It is devotional
songs written with a missionary
intention. Kabir Sahib never intended to
oppose the Dharma. A peep into our Dharma
manifests that we have a faith in the
Supreme Being(Parampita Parmatma
Saravshaktimaan).We believe in the
existence of Imperishability of Soul(
Nainam Chhindti Shastrani,cha nainam
dahti Pavakai).The principles of Satya(
Truth) and Ahinsa( Non-Violence) are
fundamentals of Indian philosophy, Sants
too upheld and preached these cherished
ideals. They advocated vegetarianism
(Vaishnav way of life), celibacy
(Brahmcharya), the practice of Naam
(Guru-Diksha) or meditation (Dhyaan) and
the necessity of being initiated by a
Perfect living Saint, as primordial
requirements for achieving real spiritual
evolution. Thus there existed no
fundamental differences between the
philosophy of Kabir Sahib and the age old
Indian traits .Nevertheless; he added new
dimensions to the then prevailing varied
and conflicting philosophies and isms. He
set the records straight by his sheer
self realization (Anubhuti) and
contemplation (chintan) and revealed it
for those groping in the unending jungle
of books. Advent of Kabir Sahib caused a
paradigm shift in older spiritual
concepts. He often advocated leaving
aside the religious books and to simply
follow Sahaj path, or the simple natural
way to self-realization. He revealed that
it was the mighty and the cruel power of
mind which had been pushing the soul in
various worldly pursuits through its
false charms (Maya). Mind cannot be seen
but is all -prevalent in this universe.
Jeevatma is captive of mind. This mind
power is making the Jeevatma to dance to
its tunes by spreading a vast web of
ignorance around it. People ignorant of
the tricks of mind power have become its
willing and easy prey. Even great
scholars, tapasvis and yogis could not
escape this deceit of mind. The entire
humanity, he said, is ridden with
ignorance (Avidya). Religious texts are
unable to completely describe these
intricacies. The temple and mosque, idol
and holy water, scriptures and priests,
Saguna and Nirguna--were all denounced by
him as mere substitutes for the Supreme
Reality.
He revealed that Jeevatma remains ever
restless and anxious in this world. Its
state can be compared to that of a son
separated from his father, a fish out of
water. The entire teachings for Sant
revolve around freeing the jeev from the
clutches of mind and leading it back to
its original abode.
Mahatma Kabir made a startling revelation
to the effect that this is a world of
kaal and Maya (Time and space).
Everything is subject to death here. Each
small spell of happiness is invariably
followed by gloom and frustration. There
is no end to these miseries. Jeevatma has
last track of its original abode-
Amarlok, the imperishable world of
permanent bliss and ecstasy:-
There is a land where no doubt nor sorrow
have rule:
Where the Terror of Death is no more.
There the woods of spring are a-bloom,
And the fragrant scent "He is
I" is borne on the wind
There the bee of the heart is deeply
immersed,
And desires no other joy.'
The Spiritual Path lit by Kabir Sahib is
highly relevant in these troubled times
of Kal-Yug.
Moral Education For
All
O P Sharma
 The author of this
book is retired Principal of a Government
Girls Higher Secondary School, Kishtwar
and the subject matter of his book is
closely related to education. The main
theme is that after the proverbial three
‘Rs’ of reading, writing and
arthmatics for the masses to forge ahead,
the fourth ‘R’ of moral
education is also of utmost importance to
make an individual as humane for reaping
the rich dividends of the education
system.
Going through the book one at once gets
the feel “ of a teacher preaching to
the students and youth” for moral
education. In addition to dealing with
important topics like “ Science and
Religion”,” Moral
Education” , “My Pledge on
Teachers’ Day” “ Ten Tips
to Gain Knowledge”
“Disciplining Students”, “
Life and Courage” and “Inner
Beauty”, he has expressed his views
in simple language and direct style.
Noble Ideas
He has also written few chapters of
interest to youth in prose and added
meaningful verses as well for conveying
his message and sustaining readers’
interest . The topics like “ Let us
learn” from earth, water, sky, moon,
ocean, moth, honey-bee, air and fire each
are the authors’ best way of
imparting education.
The book also contains some verses having
value-based distilled knowledge for
better understanding and memory of the
youth. His overall approach has been
idealistic. I have liked his two-liner:
Morality in life is man’s best
friend,
It keeps name alive after physical end.
Of course, Mr Sharma has put in his vast
experience and knowledge in his work to
best of his ability.
The tone and tenor of the main theme is
building the nation through teacher and
the appropriate role of the parents as
well in moulding the character and
widening the vision of the students and
youth.
Status of Teacher
The author has consistently praised the
role of teacher in imparting vast
knowledge and also acquainting the youth
with modern technological advances as
well as rich cultural heritage. The
Guru’s role has been underscored for
building the nation by producing youth
with knowledge, scientific temper, vision
and moral values.
He retired in 2002 after a span of 37
years service in Education Department and
presently is now active in social service
and also devoting his time and energy to
literary and cultural pursuits.
Mr Sharma, hailing from Kishtwar, has
already written a book “Kishtwari
Bhashya Sahitya Aur Sanskriti” in
Devnagari and often writes poetry in
Kishtwari and Hindi.
Thirst for Knowledge
While the get-up of the book is good, the
overall theme of this work is of high
value for the society especially, the
students and youth. Certainly, moral
education which he stoutly pleads in this
book, is of utmost importance as science,
spirituality and morality must go hand in
hand to make the humanity move forward in
a harmonious manner.
The basic tenets of all religions must be
propagated in our educational
institutions and in all our homes. And
this book comes handy for the average
readership.
Keeping in view the high cost of book
production, it is priced moderately
priced. The educationists,
administrators, planners and youth will
find this book valuable. The policy shift
in education system should be on moral
education as its integral part. This
126-page book contains an interesting and
informative reading material for all the
readers, especially the youth. It is a
must possession for the educational
institutions and libraries for the
benefit of students.
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Like Mahatma
Gandhi, the just concluded Indian Premier League (IPL)
leaves a rich legacy for South Africa. Like all good
things, it came to an end but many still reel under its
heady impact on the nation. A Roy reports from
Johannesburg
The Sudh Mahadev
temple is said to be 2800 years old and with a strong
mythological connection. The temple houses a natural
black marble lingam, the Trident of Lord Shiva and mace
believed to be that of Bheema the second Pandava brother.
Devak stream flows nearby where people can take a bath
before entering the temple. Mysteriously the Devak stream
disappears a few kilometers downstream.
Baichung
Bhutia's iconic status as a footballer
now has a challenger from his new found
glory as a dancer. Ritesh Sharma caught
up with Baichung moments after winning
Sony's Jhalak Dikhla Jaa