By Suchitra Mukherjee

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Monday inaugurated the 'Chadwick House: Navigating Audit Heritage' Museum in Shimla, marking a significant milestone in the preservation and celebration of the institution's rich heritage and its contributions to the governance of the nation.

The museum, located in Chadwick House, has been developed into a state-of-the-art facility showcasing the evolution, achievements and milestones of the CAG institution.

Chadwick House, an important landmark in Shimla, has a rich and extensive history. Its historical importance is further highlighted by Mahatma Gandhi's stay in 1946 during his visit to Shimla for the Cabinet Mission. After independence in 1950, a training school for the Indian Audit and Accounts Service was opened here.

With the move of the training centre, Chadwick House gradually fell into disrepair. Without proper care and maintenance, it was on the verge of demolition in 2018. At that time, the Supreme Audit Institution of India intervened to safeguard its heritage.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in December 2020 with the then owner, Prasar Bharati (All India Radio), which began the process of establishing Chadwick House as a museum.

The museum is structured into ten distinct galleries, each designed to provide a detailed exploration of different facets of the history, functions and importance of the CAG. Using graphic panels, videos, diorama sets, interactive exhibits and artifacts, these galleries offer visitors a comprehensive understanding of the institution and its history.

The museum's exhibits include historical documents, artifacts and memorabilia, as well as photographic exhibits that trace the journey of the CAG institution.

The museum features cutting-edge interactive exhibits, including digital archives, audiovisual presentations, and interactive kiosks that provide an immersive learning experience for visitors.

In his inaugural address, Shri Girish Chandra Murmu highlighted the importance of the museum as a repository of knowledge and a source of inspiration for future generations of auditors.

He expressed his joy that the journey of the institution, one of the pillars of democracy that contributes to good governance by guaranteeing integrity, transparency and accountability, has been captured very effectively in the museum.

He commented: “Chadwick House has witnessed history being made and should henceforth serve as a testament to our unwavering dedication to public service.”

After the inauguration, GC Murmu took a guided tour of the museum, exploring various exhibits chronicling the history of auditing in India, important audits and notable contributions of the CAG institution to the governance of the nation.

Interactive exhibits, dioramas and multimedia presentations provide a vivid representation of eminent figures and institutional achievements.

Chadwick House Museum is now open to the public and welcomes visitors from all walks of life to explore and learn about the legacy and continuing journey of the CAG institution.

The museum is located in Shimla, at Chadwick House, where a group of officials from the independent Indian Audit and Accounts Service received training in 1950.

It preserves a treasure trove of artifacts, including Remington typewriters, British-era franking machines, clocks and trophies from CAG field offices.

The museum features cutting-edge interactive exhibits, diorama sets including digital archives, audio-visual presentations and interactive kiosks.

It has 10 galleries, each highlighting a different aspect of the institution's history and contributions.

The museum is open to the public and welcomes visitors from all walks of life to explore and learn about the legacy and continuing journey of the institution of CAG.

The event was attended by members of the CAG Audit Advisory Council, senior officials of the state government and other distinguished guests.