The problem of disparity in Indian society has to be resolved by the youth, former President Pranab Mukherjee said, while addressing a session organised by the youth wing of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Kolkata on Saturday.

Disparity exists not just on health and education parameters but also on income distribution.

Quoting a recent report, Mukherjee said that between 2013 and 2017, 71 per cent of the wealth generated in the country was accumulated by a mere 21 per cent of the people. Such a situation was unacceptable and the youth, he said, has to “look inward” if they are keen on a resolution. “A very recent report on the Indian economic situation between 2013 and 2017 states that 71 per cent of total wealth generated in India are accumulated by 21 per cent people; while remaining 79 per cent of the population are left with 29 per cent of the wealth. This cannot go on for long. Change has to be brought and change will be brought by the young people, not by me, not by anybody else,” Mukherjee said. Expressing his “disappointment” and “frustration”, he quoted yet another study that brought to fore other social disparities. The report stated that 40 of the least developed countries had only 13 per cent of the girl child getting enrolled in schools; and just 11 per cent of the men and women have access to some sort of health care.

For Mukherjee, skilling and generation of employment are the urgent needs if India had to take advantage of this demographic dividend.

By 2022, India is expected to have the world’s largest working population and also become a global supplier of workforce. Failure to tap this potential will mean India’s demographic divided turning to a “demographic disaster”.

“The oldest civilisation would be younger and younger. So the responsibility lies on you (the youth) to remove disparity, inequality and provide leadership. Otherwise, I am afraid that demographic advantage will transform into demographic disaster,” Mukherjee maintained.

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