Can't afford bypassing women from equal opportunities: Big B

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Friday emphasised that India can't afford to continue bypassing women from equal opportunities in the workforce if the nation hopes to become the world's third largest economy by 2030.

"If India is to become the world's third largest economy by 2030, it can't afford to continue bypassing its over 600 million women, from equal opportunities, in the workforce," Bachchan said here at the inaugural of the 22nd Kolkata International Film Festival.

Stressing on the demographic dividend, Big B said women could play an important role in India's development.

"India is one of the youngest countries in the world today with a significant segment of its 1.2 billion people in the age group of 20 to 35 years," the megastar said.

"Females have a share of 48.1 per cent in the urban population and 48.6 per cent in the rural population. By 2020 it is estimated the average age in the country will be 29 in an economy that is growing at an annual rate of seven per cent," he said.

"This demographic dividend if effectively mobilised will significantly transform the country with women playing a very important part in its development," he added.

--IANS

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