PANAJI
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday inaugurated “Dharohar”, the National Museum of Customs and GST in Panaji at an event peppered by a lively interaction with famed sand artist Sudharshan Pattnaik of Puri.
State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, Union Finance Secretary Tarun Bajaj, Secretary of Economic Affairs Ajay Seth, Chairman of CBIC and Chairman of CBDT Sangeeta Singh Vivek Johri were present on the occasion.
A unique customized Stamp Album was also curated and presented to the Union Finance Minister by the Post Master General, Goa region.
The exciting segment of the closing ceremony was the live interaction with India’s finest sand artist Sudarshan Pattanaik from Puri beach in Orissa. He showcased his artwork on the theme of the Iconic Week celebration of the Ministry of Finance and the ongoing series of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'. Sitharaman also had a conversation and congratulated Pattnaik′s beloved students who assisted him in the artwork which took two whole days.
Godinho applauded the union ministry of finance for their immense support to Goa throughout the initial phase of GST, the Covid pandemic and everything else that jittered the system. He thanked the Union Finance Minister and her department for all the compensations, subsidies and waivers, for quickening the process of releasing funds for purchases of equipment and relief materials, especially during the pandemic.
″Big states need big money, but even small amounts of money can create miracles for a state like Goa,″ he added.
He asserted that Goa will always be a place where one can find tranquillity and will maintain top-class tourist facilities.
″Goa is a place where you get fresh ideas. Everybody who comes here goes back with a refreshed mind and thinks better,″ he said.
In her address, Sitaraman spoke about how even though it is called the Ministry of Finance, many other elements of the government put immense efforts to support and sustain the MOS.
She recollected the items launched and released during the Iconic Week, and praised their uniqueness, especially the fun learning material for children like board games, puzzles and comics.
She also urged the audience to take this vital information back home to friends and family, as it is important for the active involvement of the masses in the smooth functioning of her department and the country in general.
