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.
