School students would mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 140th birth anniversary on Saturday by taking part in debates, poem and painting competitions.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked schools affiliated to it to celebrate National Unity Day on October 31.

CBSE joint secretary and in-charge (academic and training) D.T. Sudarshan Rao said: "India's history would have been different had Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel not been the deputy Prime Minister and home minister when India became independent in 1947. The board has decided to announce a CBSE Expression Series on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel."

Rao said: "The board wants every student to know about important leaders and their contribution in the pre and post-Independence period of the nation."

Earlier, the CBSE had announced similar initiatives on the birth anniversaries of Jayaprakash Narayan, former President APJ Abdul Kalam and Mahatma Gandhi.

The competition has been divided into three categories: classes I-V, VI-VIII and IX-XII. The topics for the categories are - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: the Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's role in the Indian freedom struggle and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: the architect of united India - respectively. Students may submit an essay, poem or a drawing on the official website of the board.

Schools have already geared up for the event. St Michael's High School is organising a debate, poem and painting competition on October 31. The school principal, Peter Arockiasamy, said: "The school is organising several competitions to spread the message of unity, safety and security."

Sanya Sinha, a Class VIII student of Notre Dame Academy, said: "I have written poems on several leaders, including APJ Abdul Kalam and Mahatma Gandhi. I am now writing one on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel."