Government employees to take pledge on Patel's birth anniversary
New Delhi, Oct 24 :  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.