The chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off the Dehradun Marathon organised by the Uttarakhand police on Sunday. He also participated in the marathon organised with the message of 'Run Against Drugs' and 'Run For Unity' along with over 15,000 people from the country and abroad. People including young school and college students from several States of the country and many foreigners also participated in the half marathon. Dhami also appealed to the people on the occasion to celebrate the National Unity Day on October 31 which is the birth anniversary of the country's first deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He said that everyone should take a firm resolution to make the state drug-free by 2025 as it is important for everyone to be healthy to lead a happy and healthy life in a healthy society. He said, "We take a pledge to make the state drug-free by 2025. We pledge to create awareness about the ill effects of drugs among all, especially the youth." He also added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat' was being fulfilled with the presence of a large number of youth at the marathon. The Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Kumar said that the marathon was organised on the themes of Run for Unity and Run Against Drugs as part of the administration's campaign to make Uttarakhand drug-free by 2025. He said that like the previous two editions of the marathon, this marathon would also help the police in attaining people's trust and raise awareness among youth against drug use and give them a positive direction in life. He also talked in the event about how drugs have been severely affecting the lives of youth. Moreover, famous Bollywood singer Kailash Kher also performed in the event and the winners of the marathon were also felicitated at the end of the event.