CM Dhami joins Run for Unity in Dehradun
Synopsis
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the 'Run for Unity' programme in Dehradun on 1 November 2026, joining a nationwide public run held annually to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's legacy.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the 'Run for Unity' programme in Dehradun on 1 November 2026 .
The event marks Rashtriya Ekta Diwas , observed on 31 October to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was instituted by the central government in 2014 .
Run for Unity events are held annually across Indian cities to promote national integration and public fitness.
Dhami has served as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand since 2021 and regularly joins state ceremonial programmes.
Running alongside citizens of Dehradun on Sunday, 1 November 2026, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the annual 'Run for Unity' programme — a nationwide public run that marks Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and honours the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The Chief Minister's Office shared on X: 'मुख्यमंत्री श्री पुष्कर सिंह धामी ने देहरादून में रन फॉर यूनिटी कार्यक्रम में किया प्रतिभाग' — 'Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Run for Unity programme in Dehradun.'
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and the run's national purpose
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was instituted by the central government in 2014 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the 'Iron Man of India' credited with unifying the country's princely states after independence. The 'Run for Unity' is its signature public event — held every year on or around 31 October across cities and towns nationwide, drawing participation from schoolchildren, government officials, and the general public.
Dehradun, as the capital of Uttarakhand, serves as the natural venue for the state's edition of the run. Chief ministers joining such events is a routine but deliberate signal — a visible endorsement of national integration and public fitness in a single, shareable moment.
Dhami's steady presence at state ceremonial events
Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has served as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand since 2021, has consistently participated in state-level ceremonial and public outreach programmes. His presence at the Run for Unity follows an established pattern of elected leaders reinforcing the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas message at the grassroots level — keeping the anniversary in public view beyond formal government observances.
Every stride taken on that Dehradun road carries the same reminder: that the work Patel did in 1947 is still considered worth running for.
Point of View
Whose tenure has coincided with Uttarakhand's growing profile as a spiritually and strategically significant state, public participation in unity-themed events reinforces a broadly popular, non-divisive image. The ritual nature of the event means it generates no new policy content, but its annual repetition across all states signals that the Patel legacy has become a durable fixture of the governance calendar.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Run for Unity event in India?
Run for Unity is an annual public run held on or around 31 October to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, which commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and promotes national integration.
When was Rashtriya Ekta Diwas started?
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was instituted by the central government in 2014 to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, 31 October.
Who is Pushkar Singh Dhami?
Pushkar Singh Dhami is the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, serving in that role since 2021.
Where was the Run for Unity held in Uttarakhand in 2026?
The Run for Unity programme in Uttarakhand was held in Dehradun, the state capital, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participating on 1 November 2026.
Why is Run for Unity organised every year?
Run for Unity is organised to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's role in unifying India's princely states after independence and to encourage public fitness and national solidarity.
