Apple CEO touched by Indians’ warmth, opens facility in Hyderabad

Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao during the inauguration of Apple’s Technology Centre in Hyderabad on May 19, 2016. (Photo: IANS)

Hyderabad – Apple CEO Tim Cook, on the second day of his India visit on Thursday, inaugurated the tech giant’s development centre here and visited a women’s college, while admitting he was impressed by Hyderabad’s culture and history and had already fallen in love with the city.

Cook, who flew in from Mumbai on Thursday morning, opened the facility which will focus on development of maps for Apple products like iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.

The investment will accelerate maps development and create up to 4,000 jobs, the company said. It, however, did not reveal the investment made and other details.

The facility has come up on leased space at WaveRock complex at Nanakramguda in the IT corridor. It will provide a world-class, LEED-certified home for the Maps team.

Telangana’s Information Technology Minister K. T. Rama Rao requested Apple to set up their permanent campus in Hyderabad and also consider the state as its partner when they eventually decide to manufacture mobile phones.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who inaugurated the facility along with with Cook, assured all support for Apple’s future endeavours.

For the map development centre, Apple has partnered with Noida-based RMSI, a leading IT services player that offers GIS, analytics and software services.

Rama Rao later tweeted: “Hyderabad becomes home to the largest tech development centre of Apple Inc outside of US.”

“With Apple, Hyderabad now is proud to be home to 4 of the top 5 most valued tech companies’ largest office outside USA: Google, MS & Amazon.”

Cook described the warmth of people in India as unparalleled and said he liked the vibrancy of its people and has already made some lifelong friends here.

“The main thing I have learnt about India is the warmth of people. It is unparalleled unlike any country I have ever been to, including my own.

“I travelled to India this week to learn about the culture, learn about the people and learn how business is done. I have learnt a lot about all those, I still have a lot to learn. But most of all, I will leave India inspired. I am deeply inspired by the vibrancy of the people that I have met, the energy enthusiasm and incredible talent,” he said.

The Apple CEO, who was in Mumbai on Wednesday, said it was an unbelievable day and that he has already made some lifelong friends.

Addressing Chandrasekhar Rao as “KCR”, Cook remarked: “I love the informality and I can tell you already I love Hyderabad.”

He said he took a tour and has already picked up how rich Hyderabad is in culture, history and tradition.

Cook told the gathering that he also found there were various technologies here even in very early days. “I think history is repeating here,” he said.

He said Apple had always been about creating the very best products in the world. “We always like to do products that enrich other people’s life because we are driven as a culture by changing the world, changing it for the better,” he added.

“We are honoured to be here. We hope to be a key partner of the community here and hope for lifelong friendship together,” said the Apple CEO amid thunderous applause by the company employees and state officials.

“The talent here in the local area is incredible and we are looking forward to expanding our relationships and introducing more universities and partners to our platforms as we scale our operations,” added Cook who later visited G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science for women, where he inaugurated a computer centre for which also Apple signed an MoU for training the students.

A group of 45 students will be trained in fusion technology used in map development and some of these may later be absorbed in the company.

Before inauguration of the facility, Cook had a meeting with the chief minister. Rama Rao, who is the chief minister’s son, IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan and a few top officials were also present.