Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated three PARAM Rudra supercomputers on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of scientific and technological progress under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).

The supercomputers, developed domestically at a cost of ₹130 crore, have been installed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata to advance research across a wide range of scientific fields.

“There is no sector that does not rely on technology and computing capability,” Modi stated. “Our contribution to this revolution should not be in bits and bytes but in terabytes and petabytes. This achievement shows that we are progressing in the right direction at the right speed,” he added.

As part of India’s strategy to achieve self-reliance in high-performance computing (HPC), the PARAM Rudra supercomputers will support advanced research in various scientific disciplines.

In Pune, the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) will utilize the new system to study astronomical phenomena like Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). In Delhi, the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) will use it to advance research in material science and atomic physics. Meanwhile, the S N Bose Centre in Kolkata will focus on research in physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.

“With PARAM Rudra supercomputers and HPC systems, India takes a significant step towards self-reliance in computing, driving innovation in science and technology,” Modi posted on X.

The National Supercomputing Mission, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), aims to establish a nationwide network of advanced computing systems.

Modi emphasized that these supercomputers are not only a testament to technological advancement but also play a crucial role in meeting the aspirations of the “last person” in society.

Although the Prime Minister initially planned to visit Pune for the launch, his trip was canceled due to heavy rains. He was also scheduled to flag off a Metro train line and launch development projects worth ₹22,600 crore.

The Karnataka government on Thursday withdrew the general consent granted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe cases in the state, accusing the agency of being “biased.”

The decision was announced by the state’s law and parliamentary affairs minister, HK Patil, following a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

“The notification granting general consent to the CBI to investigate criminal cases in Karnataka under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, has been withdrawn,” said Patil.

Under the law, the CBI requires consent from the respective state governments to carry out investigations within their jurisdiction.

“This decision was made because it’s evident that the CBI or the central government is not judiciously using their powers. Consent for CBI investigations will now be granted on a case-by-case basis,” Patil explained, as reported by PTI. He clarified that the move was not aimed at protecting the CM in the MUDA case.

“Regarding the CM, a court order has mandated a Lokayukta investigation, so there’s no question of shielding him,” he added.

Patil further alleged that the CBI had been misused in several cases, particularly citing the agency’s failure to file chargesheets in many Karnataka cases.

“They (CBI) refused to file chargesheets and investigate numerous mining cases,” he stated.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, dismissed calls for his resignation amid allegations linked to the MUDA scam.

“I will not resign; why should I? Allegations were made against HD Kumaraswamy; did he resign? Let Kumaraswamy resign. Has Modi asked for Kumaraswamy’s resignation?” said the CM.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also weighed in, describing the controversy as a “political drama.”

“There are many cases against several central ministers and BJP leaders. Have they all resigned? There is no reason for the CM to step down. As party president, I can assure you, the CM will not resign,” Shivakumar said.

India has once again urged its citizens to leave Lebanon following reports that Israel is mobilizing troops for a potential invasion of the country.

In an updated advisory issued on Wednesday, the Indian embassy in Beirut strongly recommended that Indian nationals refrain from traveling to Lebanon “in light of recent developments and escalations in the region.”

“All Indian nationals currently in Lebanon are also strongly advised to exit the country. Those who remain for any reason should exercise extreme caution, limit their movements, and stay in touch with the Embassy of India in Beirut via email at cons.beirut@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +96176860128,” the advisory stated.

This updated advisory comes as Israel continues its assaults on Lebanon, resulting in over 620 deaths and thousands of injuries. Israel’s military chief, Herzi Halevi, has informed troops that airstrikes will persist to target Hezbollah’s infrastructure and prepare for a potential ground offensive.

According to the Indian embassy in Beirut, there are nearly 4,000 Indian nationals in Lebanon, most of whom work in companies, the construction sector, and agricultural farms.

Indian Army personnel have been deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since November 1998. On August 1, the Indian embassy issued an advisory urging citizens to leave Lebanon due to “potential threats in the region,” which arose from heightened tensions following the killings of leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah.