The PARAM-10,000 supercomputer, capable of performing one trillion mathematical calculations per second, stands out as a shining example of how ‘restrictions and denials’ could be turned into impressive scientific gains. For the Pune-based Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)—of which Dr Bhatkar was the founder executive director—building this supercomputer was a dream that came true.

So far, only the US and Japan have a proven capability to build supercomputers PARAM-10,000. It has catapulted India into the ranks of the elite nations that are in the rarefied world of tera-flop computing.

Not many would know about the struggle that went into the development of the PARAM series of supercomputers. "It was only perseverance that saw us through those times. A committed team is very important. Fortunately, the people who worked on this mission worked for the love of technology," remembers Dr Bhatkar.

Bhatkar decided that he wanted to be away from Delhi and chose Pune for the project. "I do not belong to this city. But I believed that this would work here," says Dr Bhatkar.

For three years, the team at C-DAC lived and breathed the project, at times sleeping on tables in the labs. Well-meaning people questioned the authenticity of the project and Dr Bhatkar had to prove that he was right.

Another major achievement Bhatkar is created with is GIST multilingual technology project, which happened at C-DAC. Taking into account the fact that India is a multilingual country of a billion people, where only 17% speak English, Dr Bhatkar worked furiously on the GIST technology project, for all Indian languages. The technology made possible the use and co-existence of all Indian languages along with English on standard computers.

Dr Vijay Bhatkar Born October 1946 Education Bachelor of Engineering from Nagpur University, 1965 Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering from IIT, Delhi, 1972  Master of Engineering from MS University, Baroda, 1968 Current Position Chairman, ETH Research Lab; chairman, DishnetDSL; founder chancellor, India International Multiversity Career Path As director of Electronics Research and Development Center (ER&DC), Trivandrum, during 1980–87, he led the development of several products and systems leading to large-scale commercialization. Concurrently, as director of Keltron, he implemented some of the largest projects in electronics and IT such as computerization of Calcutta Metro, security systems for the government, simulators for defence, and distributed computer control systems for large power grids, power plants and process industries of India. As executive director of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) , the country’s national initiative in supercomputing, he led the development of PARAM supercomputers, GIST language technology and C-DAC’s well-known Advanced Computing Training School. Based on the PARAM series of Supercomputers, Dr Bhatkar built the National Param Supercomputing Facility, one of the largest supercomputing facilities in Asia. He also envisioned the International Institute of Information Technology for advanced education and research in IT.

When faced with a cash crunch to the tune of Rs 14 crore in 1998 (since the funds came in late from the centre), Dr Bhatkar found himself in a tight fix for developing PARAM 10,000. Scientists were leaving C-DAC for greener pastures with great offers coming in from MNCs. This was when the Advanced Computing Training School (ACTS) was founded at C-DAC, providing 5,000 software professionals to the IT industry. ACTS was a raving success in the US and other advanced countries. This was also in line with his vision: Bridge the digital divide, create a knowledge-based society and make India an R&D hub for the world. This is precisely what Dr Bhatkar is engaged in currently with his ‘Education to Home’ mission as the chairman of the ETH Research Lab.

As a young man, Dr Bhatkar had a dream: "I will design a chip—India’s first chip that will have a million transistors in it." Born in Muramba, a small village with a population of about 300, in the state of Maharashtra, he studied at a village temple school. The strong tradition of education at home led to the creation of values that stood him in good stead for the rest of his life. I could never understand why people complained about the lack of facilities. We did not have access to good labs. But that did not stop us from making our own equipment from medical waste. "The joy of one’s own creation is unparalleled."

During his schooling period, Bhatkar was greatly influenced by the Sant Gadge Maharaj—the saint who pioneered the cleanliness movement in Maharashtra. Later, at C-DAC, he derived inspiration from Mata Amritanandmayi. His background in electronics engineering apart, Dr Bhatkar was a vociferous reader, perhaps one of the few students who browsed through all the books that had been gathering dust at IIT Delhi for years. Mathematics, physics, biology, fine arts, he delved deeply into all these subjects, using the vast knowledge to his advantage in problem solving.

Having completed his PhD in 1972, Dr Bhatkar worked hard on familiarizing the Indian industry with the benefits of computing. In 1987, he was vice-president of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). He went on to become the director of Electronic Research and Development Centre (ER&DC) Trivandrum during 1980–87. He brought out the first color television in India, the microprocessor-based traffic lights (still a familiar sight at signals). As executive director of Keltron, India’s first state electronic development corporation that inspired a chain of such state corporations in different states of India, he implemented some of the largest projects in IT and electronics in the country.

Besides several e-governance projects, Dr Bhatkar is currently engaged in the ETH mission. He has advented the concept of integral education by founding the India International Multiversity (IIMV), a multi-campus university founded on Indian knowledge system addressed to aspiring learners across the world through IIMV. In consonance with his vision to attract students from advanced countries to seek advanced education in India, Dr Bhatkar architected the International Institute of Information Technology (I2IT). I2IT is planned as India’s largest high-end education institutes with post graduate education and research facilities for over 1,000 students.

Dr Bhatkar has edited eight books and 80 research publications in supercomputing, artificial intelligence and distributed computer control, optimal control and variational theory. He has won several accolades for his pioneering contribution to IT in India, including the Padmashri in year 2000 and the Maharashtra Bhushan award 1999–00.

Nanda Kasabe in Pune

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