Dehradun: On the occasion of the 12th International Yoga Day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the “Run for Yoga” event organized at Police Lines, Dehradun, on Friday. Emphasizing yoga as the foundation of a healthy, disciplined, and positive life, he urged the people of the state, especially the youth, to make yoga a part of their daily routine.
The Chief Minister said that “Run for Yoga” is not merely a race but a powerful campaign to promote a healthy lifestyle and spread the message of yoga among the masses. He described the initiative as an important step toward increasing health awareness and transforming yoga into a people’s movement.
He noted that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has long been a center of yoga, spiritual practices, and the penance of sages. The state’s rich spiritual heritage and natural environment convey the message of health, balance, and positivity to humanity. Yoga, he said, is India’s ancient cultural legacy and a scientific, practical system that creates harmony between the body, mind, and soul.
The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving yoga global recognition. Following India’s proposal at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, June 21 was declared International Yoga Day, and today millions of people in more than 190 countries practice yoga.
Highlighting the growing challenges of stress, depression, and health issues, he said yoga has emerged as an effective means of achieving a healthy and balanced life. He encouraged young people to practice yoga and exercise regularly, stressing that healthy, energetic, and disciplined youth are the foundation of the state’s and nation’s future.
He further stated that the state government is continuously working to establish Uttarakhand as a global hub for yoga, Ayurveda, wellness, and natural healing. Under the new Yoga Policy, support is being extended to yoga and meditation centers, yoga instructors, and wellness-based employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister appealed to citizens to adopt yoga daily, develop a healthy and disciplined lifestyle, contribute to a drug-free society, and spread the message of yoga to every household.
