Mandya, 16 Dec

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said as India moves towards the vision of a developed nation by 2047, the country needs both the power of technology and the strength of values.

She was speaking at the inauguration of the 1066th Jayanthi celebrations of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji at Malavalli here.

Murmu said, "Our greatest strength lies in our youth... The destiny of India will be saved not only by their skill and knowledge but by their integrity and sense of purpose.”

Describing Karnataka as the sacred land of saints like 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwara, the President said his message of "work is worship" continues to inspire humanity.

At the same event, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused the Congress government of "neglecting" the farmers and being involved in corruption. Mandya comes under the JD(S) leader’s Lok Sabha constituency.

"I saw a report that 2,800 farmers have died by suicide after this government came to power... This government on coming to power, said that it will give Rs 24,000 crore as a loan to 32 lakh farmers… but till November, about Rs 12,000 crore has been paid to 24 lakh farmers,” said the JD(S) leader, who turned 66 today.