Bengaluru, Feb 19: To further bolster India’s digital transformation, tech major Google on Wednesday inaugurated ‘Ananta’ campus here which is one of the company’s largest offices globally.

Stressing that India has always played the role of a strategic nerve centre in the tech discourse —evident in the thriving startup and app ecosystems, the digital public infrastructure and the depth and diversity of Indian creators – the company said ‘Ananta’ is part of its ongoing efforts to build with and for India and the world.

“For Google, India has always represented a very special opportunity, not just to reach millions of users within the country with our products and platforms, but also have them shaped by Indian ingenuity, helping them become even more useful for the billions of users we create for globally,” said Anand Rangarajan, Vice President, Google Deepmind.

Located in Bengaluru, one of the world’s fastest-growing tech hubs, Ananta is “one of our most ambitious ground-up developments”.

A collaboration between Google India and a local development and design team, the Ananta campus embodies Google’s latest thinking in workplace design. The building’s name, Ananta, means ‘infinite’ or ‘limitless’ in Sanskrit,” said Sunil Rao, Vice President, Global Delivery, Google Cloud India.

The purpose-built campus features one of India’s largest installations of electro-chromic glass, and a sculpted, fluid facade for architectural interest.

Google said that ‘Ananta’ will enable it to deliver world-class products, foster deeper partnership with our customers, and continue to focus on solving the most complex challenges facing users, businesses and startups in India and around the world.

Last week, Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the “incredible opportunities” that artificial intelligence (AI) will bring to India, following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris.

The Alphabet CEO also noted the potential for close collaboration between “we” (Google) and India to advance the country’s digital transformation.

“Delighted to meet with PM Narendra Modi today while in Paris for the AI Action Summit. We discussed the incredible opportunities AI will bring to India and ways we can work closely together on India’s digital transformation,” said Pichai on X social media platform.

New Delhi, Feb 19: India’s textile exports have reached Rs 3 lakh crore and the goal is to triple this to Rs 9 lakh crore by 2030 by strengthening domestic manufacturing and expanding global reach, the government has said.

India is the sixth-largest exporter of textiles globally, contributing 8.21 per cent to the country’s total exports in 2023-24.

The sector holds a 4.5 per cent share in global trade, with the United States and European Union accounting for 47 per cent of India’s textile and apparel exports, according to the Ministry of Textiles.

The recently concluded ‘Bharat Tex 2025’ in the national capital served as a platform to accelerate the government’s “Farm to Fibre, Fabric, Fashion, and Foreign Markets” vision. The event demonstrated India’s leadership in the textile sector and its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.

Organised from February 14 -17, the event spanned 2.2 million square feet and featured over 5,000 exhibitors, providing a comprehensive showcase of India’s textile ecosystem.

More than 1,20,000 trade visitors, from 120+ countries including global CEOs, policymakers, and industry leaders, attended the event, according to the ministry.

“From an employment perspective, the textile industry provides direct employment to over 45 million people and supports the livelihoods of over 100 million individuals indirectly, including a large proportion of women and rural workers,” said the government.

The government’s focus on increasing textile manufacturing, modernising infrastructure, fostering innovation, and upgrading technology has strengthened India’s position as a global textile hub.

India is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of fabrics, catering to both domestic and international markets.

The sector is characterised by a mix of large-scale industrial manufacturing and small-scale artisanal production, reflecting a vibrant tapestry of innovation and tradition.

Major fabric hubs in the country include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and West Bengal, each known for its unique textile specialties.

The apparel and fashion industry is a major economic driver, contributing significantly to GDP and employment.

Aprilia has introduced the Tuono 457 in India at an ex-showroom price of Rs 3.95 lakh. Designed for a more relaxed and comfortable ride, it features a single-piece handlebar positioned higher than the RS 457’s clip-ons, ensuring an upright posture suited for everyday riding.

The Aprilia Tuono 457 boasts a striking streetfighter design, blending aggressive styling with rider-friendly ergonomics. Its sharp front end features a prominent LED headlamp and boomerang-style DRLs, while a sculpted fuel tank and exposed engine components add to its bold appearance. The sleek tail section, single-piece handlebar, and rear-set footpegs complete the bike’s purposeful look. Available in two eye-catching colours, Piranha Red and Puma Grey, the Tuono 457 takes inspiration from its larger Tuono siblings and the fully-faired RS 457, while maintaining a unique identity.

Aprilia Tuono 457 is powered by a 457cc parallel-twin engine, generating 47bhp and 43.5Nm of peak torque, the same as its fully-faired counterpart. Built on a durable aluminium perimeter frame, it is equipped with a 41mm inverted front fork and a rear monoshock, both offering preload adjustability for a customizable ride. Braking is taken care of by a 320mm front disc and a 220mm rear disc, complemented by dual-channel ABS for added safety. The Tuono 457 rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels at both ends, fitted with tubeless tyres, ensuring a smooth and stable performance.

The Aprilia Tuono 457 is designed with rider convenience in mind, featuring a 5-inch TFT colour display that connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth. This integration provides riders with easy access to important ride data, including turn-by-turn navigation, as well as call and SMS alerts, all directly displayed on the screen for a seamless and connected experience.

First showcased at EICMA last year, the Tuono 457 is priced Rs 25,000 lower than the fully-faired RS 457, which costs Rs 4.20 lakh. Competing in the streetfighter segment, it goes up against the Yamaha MT-03 (Rs 3.50 lakh), BMW G 310 R (Rs 2.90 lakh), and KTM 390 Duke (Rs 2.95 lakh). All prices are ex-showroom.