In Goa, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the National Museum of Customs and GST “Dharohar” on Saturday, June 11.
- FM Sitharam dedicated the National Museum of Customs and GST “Dharohar” to the nation.
- The opening was part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Week of the Ministry of Finance.
- Owing to many features and new initiatives, it is endorsed as a one-of-a-kind experience for tourists. The GST Gallery is the latest incorporation into the Dharohar Museum.
Finance Minister Sitharaman on Saturday inaugurated the National Museum of Customs and GST “Dharohar” in Goa, dedicating it to the nation. The event was organized as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Week of the Ministry of Finance. This iconic week is being celebrated from June 6 to 12.
The dedication ceremony was performed uniquely. The Finance Minister removed the golden sand from a single rock art installed at the centuries-old heritage building in which the museum is accommodated. Pankaj Chaudhary, MoS Finance, and Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Transport, Tourism, and Panchayat, Government of Goa, also attended the inauguration ceremony.
The Dharohar Museum is housed in the two-story ‘Blue Building’. Panaji’s famous building was earlier known as Alfandega during the period of Portuguese rule in Goa. It has been standing on the banks of the Mandovi River in Panaji for more than 400 years.
Dharohar is an exceptional museum, one of a kind. It showcases the artifacts seized by Indian Customs. Furthermore, it provides an extraordinary opportunity to get an insight into the workings of the Customs Department. The various aspects of their work while safeguarding the economic frontiers of the country, its heritage, flora and fauna, and the society. Their journey over the years with changes in its methodologies to meet the challenges that arise. Balancing these revisions while at the same time providing yeoman service to the nation.
There are many noteworthy displays held at the museum. This includes medieval period astronomical instruments, seized metal and stone artifacts, ivory items, and wildlife items. There is a replica of the Amin pillars from Kurukshetra. The manuscript of Ain-i-Akbari was intercepted by the Indian Customs at the Indo-Nepal border at Raxaul. The ministry of finance endorsed “Dharohar” as a must-see attraction in Goa. It is thus an important addition to the Tourism Map of India.
The tour de force of the Dharohar museum is a unique ‘Battle of Wits’ gallery. It showcases the cerebral battle between the smugglers and the Customs officers. These displays consist of documented seizures of antique coins, statues, endangered wildlife, weapons, and narcotics. A facility for an e-catalog of the museum has been established. It consists of high-resolution pictures of the several items displayed in the museum along with all the information relevant to each. This e-catalog can be downloaded using the QR Code. Thus, it serves as a guide- a ready reckoner for visitors as well as scholars of archaeology and ancient history.
The newly inaugurated Dharohar museum houses eight galleries viz: Introductory gallery, History of Taxation Gallery, Guardians of our economic frontiers gallery, Guardians of our Art & Heritage, Guardians of Flora & Fauna, Custodians of our social and well-being, Journey of Indirect taxes –Salt Tax to GST and the GST gallery.
GST Gallery of the Dharohar Museum
The GST Gallery is the latest addition to the Dharohar Museum. This distinctive initiative takes us through the long and laborious journey to GST, spanning two decades. It begins with the discussions on GST initiated by the Atal Behari Vajpayee government in 2000. The Gallery records various stages and processes that took place. Those that resulted in the implementation of reformed unified indirect taxation in the form of GST on July 1, 2017.
This Saturday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the National Museum of Customs and GST “Dharohar”. She dedicated it to the nation, the event being part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Week of the Ministry of Finance. The museum promises an extraordinary experience, along with various displays, an e-catalog, and an insight into the functioning of the department. The GST Gallery is the latest addition, displaying the journey of the introduction of GST.
