Shimla, Himachal Pradesh witnessed a significant event as Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu inaugurated the ‘Chadwick House: Navigating Audit Heritage’ Museum on June 24. This museum, located at Chadwick House, marks a pivotal milestone in preserving and celebrating the rich history and contributions of the CAG to India’s governance.
Chadwick House, an esteemed landmark in Shimla, holds historical significance dating back to Mahatma Gandhi’s stay in 1946 during the Cabinet Mission visit. Post-independence, it became a training school for the Indian Audit and Accounts Service in 1950, a role that later evolved into the need for preservation when the building faced neglect and potential demolition in 2018. The Supreme Audit Institution of India intervened, eventually transforming it into a museum.
The museum is designed with ten distinct galleries, each meticulously crafted to showcase different aspects of CAG’s evolution, roles, and historical milestones. Through graphic panels, videos, interactive displays, and artefacts, visitors can delve into the institution’s journey and its crucial role in ensuring integrity, transparency, and accountability in governance.
During the inaugural address, CAG Girish Chandra Murmu underscored the museum’s significance as a repository of knowledge, aiming to inspire future generations of auditors. He highlighted the museum’s role in capturing the journey of CAG, emphasizing Chadwick House’s historical importance in witnessing key moments of India’s auditing history. Following the inauguration, Murmu took a guided tour of the museum, exploring exhibits that chronicle notable audits and contributions of the CAG.
The ‘Chadwick House: Navigating Audit Heritage’ Museum is now open to the public, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the legacy and ongoing contributions of the CAG to India’s governance. Located at Chadwick House in Shimla, it serves as a testament to the institution’s enduring commitment to public service and its pivotal role in shaping democratic governance in the country.
The museum is an engaging space designed to educate and inspire. It features ten galleries, each focusing on a different aspect of the CAG’s history and contributions. The galleries utilize graphic panels, videos, diorama sets, interactive displays, and artefacts to provide a comprehensive understanding of the institution’s journey. Historical documents, memorabilia, and photographic displays trace the evolution of the CAG and its crucial role in maintaining the integrity, transparency, and accountability of India’s governance.
Chadwick House itself is steeped in history. After serving as a training school for the Indian Audit and Accounts Service officers post-independence, it faced neglect and was on the brink of demolition in 2018. The intervention by the Supreme Audit Institution of India and a subsequent Memorandum of Understanding with Prasar Bharati in 2020 led to its preservation and transformation into the museum we see today.
The initiative to create the museum underscores the importance of preserving and promoting the history of India’s audit heritage. It serves as an educational resource for future generations of auditors and the general public, illustrating the critical role the CAG plays in upholding good governance. The museum also stands as a symbol of the institution’s resilience and commitment to transparency and accountability in public service.
The Chadwick House is a landmark achievement in the preservation of India’s audit history. It offers an invaluable educational resource for understanding the evolution and contributions of the CAG. Visitors can now explore the museum and gain insights into the institution’s role in shaping democratic governance in India, ensuring a deeper appreciation for the principles of integrity and accountability that underpin the nation’s public service.
