Customs Dept opens heritage gallery at joint check-post

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 19

The Customs Department has set up a Heritage Customs Gallery with an aim to apprise the people, especially visitors coming to the Attari-Wagah joint check- post, to witness beating the retreat ceremony.

The gallery was opened at the old building of the joint check-post after the Customs Office shifted to a new building, also at the integrated check-post, four years ago. The gallery was inaugurated by Chief Customs Commissioner (preventive), Delhi, Manoranjan K Virk, during a special programme on Monday.

The gallery depicts the rich legacy of the Customs Department, which dates back around 2,000 years, during the time of Panchari. It also tells about perpetual changes in working of the Customs Department over the years, which is the oldest revenue generating branch of the administration world over.

A majority of the people do not know about functioning of the department and challenges it faces in the current scenario with the advancement of technology.

The Customs have put up rare and beautiful pictures about functioning of the department, seizures it has made over the years be it drugs and psychotropic substances, smuggling of gold, wildlife and endangered species of flora and fauna, besides art and antiquities.

Commissioner Customs, Capt Sanjay Gahlot, said, “The importance of Customs Heritage Gallery lies in the fact that it is located at the Attari-Wagah joint check-post, which is an ancient trade route used by traders across the country for hundreds of years.”

He said, “Thousands of people visit the check-post to witness the world famous retreat ceremony. They will also visit the gallery, which will acquaint them with great legacy of the Customs Department and sacrifices made by its officials in the line of duty.”

“The Customs Department is guardian of economic frontier of the country. The gallery will hopefully inspire the generations to come,” he added. It will remain open from morning till the retreat ceremony is over.

He said, “As not many visitors come during the day, we are trying to develop a system in which those coming from the Pakistan side or crossing the border from our side can visit the gallery.” The gallery has three LED screens, which provide information about the Customs Department, throughout the day.