Government employees to take pledge on Patel's birth anniversary
New
Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) Employees of
government offices, public sector undertakings and other institutions will
pledge to maintain the unity and integrity of the country Oct 31, the birth
anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel which is being observed as Rashtriya
Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day).
The pledge will also
be administered in schools and colleges. The Central Board of Secondary
Education has issued a notice asking schools to administer the pledge.
An official statement
said the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas will "provide an opportunity to re-affirm
the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and
potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country".
All the ministries and
departments of the central, state governments and union territories have been
requested to organise appropriate programmes on the occasion in a befitting
manner, including the pledge-taking ceremony, it said.
A 'Run for Unity'
involving people from all sections of the society, a march past in the evening
by police, the Central Armed Police Forces and other organisations like the
National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, Scouts and Guides, and Home
Guards will also be held.
The CBSE has appointed
250 centre coordinators in schools across India to organise the event.
In each centre,
400-500 students from the neighbourhood schools will come together on Oct 31
for other mass activities.
"In every centre
the activities will focus on collectively making posters, jingles, paintings,
collage, team debates, etc. on such topics which will involve joint planning
and completion. Centre coordinators may also organise indigenous team
games," a CBSE notice said.
"Activities will
also involve collaborative effort to convey the message of importance of unity
in sustaining any work such as keeping public places clean," it added.
