Dhami says event is part of broader campaign to promote healthy living
Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday took part in the “Run for Yoga” held at the Police Lines in Dehradun, describing the event as more than a run and as a larger campaign to popularise yoga, healthy habits and positive thinking across the state.
Speaking at the gathering, Dhami linked the exercise to the forthcoming 12th International Day of Yoga on 21 June, and emphasised that yoga combines traditional practice with a scientific approach to promote harmony between body, mind and soul. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising yoga’s global profile after proposing the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, which led to June 21 being recognised worldwide.
"This is not merely a run but a larger campaign to promote healthy living, positive thinking and practice of yoga among the public," Dhami said.
Dhami said Uttarakhand — often called Devbhoomi for its spiritual heritage — has a natural advantage and historical association with yoga, meditation and related disciplines. He said the state government is working to position Uttarakhand as a global centre for yoga, Ayurveda, wellness and naturopathy.
Policy measures and local implications
The Chief Minister outlined elements of the state’s new Yoga Policy, saying it seeks to institutionalise support for instructors, encourage the setting up of yoga and meditation centres, and generate employment in the wellness sector. He also urged young people to adopt regular exercise and yoga to combat stress, depression and lifestyle-related health problems.
Dhami linked the campaign to broader social goals, including creating disciplined, energetic youth and supporting a drug-free society. He asked citizens to make yoga a daily habit and to help spread awareness across communities.
- Event: Run for Yoga at Police Lines, Dehradun (organised ahead of International Day of Yoga)
- Key aims cited by CM: promote healthy living, raise yoga awareness, support wellness employment
- Policy focus: promote yoga centres, support instructors, create jobs in yoga/Ayurveda/wellness
What officials say and next steps
Dhami described yoga as both an ancient Indian tradition and a practical discipline that can address modern challenges. He noted that the International Day of Yoga is observed by millions in more than 190 countries and urged the state administration to leverage Uttarakhand’s cultural and natural assets to attract practitioners and tourists.
Local implications for Dehradun include potential growth in wellness-related services and job creation if the policy measures translate into support for training centres and instructors. Municipal and tourism departments will likely be expected to coordinate with the state’s wellness initiatives, though the report did not specify timelines or funding for the policy measures announced.
| Policy element | Stated objective |
|---|---|
| Promotion of yoga/meditation centres | Boost wellness tourism and public access to yoga |
| Support for yoga instructors | Professionalise training and create livelihoods |
| Employment creation in wellness | Generate jobs in yoga, Ayurveda and naturopathy sectors |
The Chief Minister also framed yoga as a tool for public mental health, mentioning its role in alleviating stress and lifestyle illnesses. He appealed directly to younger residents to take up regular practice, arguing that a healthy and disciplined youth cohort is critical for the state's and nation's future.
No specific budget allocations, implementation dates or institutional nodal agencies were detailed in the report of the event. The administration will need to publish operational guidelines and financial provisions if the policy is to deliver the employment and wellness outcomes the Chief Minister envisages.
Overall, the run at Dehradun’s Police Lines served both as a public awareness exercise and a reiteration of the state government’s intent to promote yoga as part of a wider wellness and livelihood strategy.
