In the annals of India’s technological evolution, one name that stands out vividly is Eka, the supercomputer developed by Tata Group. It not only marked a significant milestone in the nation’s tech sector but also found a place in the list of the world’s top ten fastest supercomputers during its prime.

In an ambitious move in 2006, Tata Group, led by S Ramadorai, paved the way for India’s first supercomputer, filling a massive void in the country’s technological landscape.

In the early 2000s, TCS recruited top scientists passionate about supercomputing, including Dr Sunil Sherlekar, a research scholar from IIT Bombay. Dr Sherlekar, in discussions with renowned mathematician Dr Narendra Karmarkar, proposed to Ramadorai the idea of building a supercomputer. Recognizing the potential impact, Ramadorai quickly sought support from Ratan Tata.

Sherlekar met with Ratan Tata multiple times, who, while excited, insisted on a detailed business plan. This plan outlined three revenue streams to justify the significant investment. The project aimed to create the world’s fastest supercomputer by November 2007.

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In March 2006, Tata Sons approved the plan, leading to the establishment of Computational Research Laboratories (CRL) in Pune. With a team of brilliant engineers, the project moved forward, marking a bold step into uncharted territory for the country and the Tata group.

The groundbreaking supercomputer was christened Eka, which translates to ‘one’ in Sanskrit, emblematic of the path-breaking endeavour. The project transitioned from a 1-petaflop machine to a 100-teraflop supercomputer, with an ambition to make it to the list of top ten fastest supercomputers worldwide by 2007.

Despite encountering a slew of technical challenges, Eka reached a remarkable speed of 118 teraflops on October 31, eventually surpassing the 100-teraflop benchmark to be ranked amongst the top supercomputers. When the rankings were declared on November 6, 2007, Eka clinched the fourth position, becoming the fastest supercomputer on its debut.

Eka was promptly deployed, contributing to the launch of India’s lunar vehicle, Chandrayaan, and later catering to an array of applications. Even though it was phased out, the legacy of Eka continues to motivate further progress in India’s supercomputing capabilities.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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