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| 7th May 2019: RBI Museum |
RBI, Reserve bank of India is a body responsible for maintaining a crucial part of the financial structure in the country, also considered as Central Banking Institution. They print paper currencies and mint coins in places for us within a pre-defined policy. It commenced on 1st April 1935 and servings to date for 84 years. After independence on 15th August 1947, RBI got nationalized on 1st January 1949.
The RBI plays an important part in the Development Strategy of the Government of India. It is a member bank of the Asian Clearing Union. The general superintendence and direction of the RBI is entrusted with the 21-member central board of directors: the governor; four deputy governors; two finance ministry representatives (usually the Economic Affairs Secretary and the Financial Services Secretary); ten government-nominated directors to represent important elements of India's economy; and four directors to represent local boards headquartered at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and the capital New Delhi. Each of these local boards consists of five members who represent regional interests, the interests of co-operative and indigenous banks. To know more about RBI, click here.
The RBI museum is an effort to showcase the history of world currency, how it evolved over time, the importance of gold in the economy & few fun facts about gold. It also portrays the evolution of RBI, in the last 84 years, modernized digital currency and many more. You got to see various coins used across the world. Few video, slideshows, and models display the changes of currency over the centuries.
Below items were used as currency till date
- Exchange good and service - Long ago
- Grain - 3000 BC
- Cowries - 1200 BC
- Tools - 1000 BC
- Metal and Punch marked coins - 600 BC
- Paper Currency - AD 800
- Tughlak's Token - AD 1300
- India's Metal money - AD 1556
- Gold - Mid 1800s to 1930
- Bretton Woods - 1945 to 1971
- Fiat Money - 1971 to till date
- Electronic Currency - Present
There is a section to display the importance of gold, where do we stand as gold producers in the world. A demo gold vault is there to witness, locks used to secure the vault, a gold bar of 12.5 Kg, even you can try to lift the bar, a fun fact is the same size of iron bar weights 5 Kg. Gold is 2.5 times heavier than iron. In another corner, you can weight yourself in a scale of standard 12.5 KG and 1 Kg gold bar simulation.
Various machines in the note printing process are also in the display like note stitching machine, note punching machine, bond maker machine, etc. There are tools showcased like a lantern, seal, gala, shovel, UV lamp, knives, safe box, weights, and various locks.
Lots of interactive quizzes, matching games and presentation makes this tour easily understandable.
Timings & Entry fees: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM. Remains closed on Monday & National Holidays (26th January, 15th August, 2nd October).
Free entry to all, if you want to visit in a group please book a slot in https://therbimuseum.rbi.org.in.
You may also write @ therbimuseum@rbi.org.in or call @ 03322628452.
Facility: In case you need, there is a very clean and maintained washroom available for use. A dedicated Kid arena is available where children can play some indoor games like snake ladder, carrom, etc. as well as participate in the quiz to enhance their knowledge. Also, to make your visit more memorable, you may purchase items from Souvenir shops, made from shredded notes and coins.
Food: Being in an office area, you have multiple cheap shops available nearby selling puri-sabji, roti-sabji, lassi, sweets, fruits, etc. These roadside shops remain closed on Sunday and for obvious reasons, most of them only accept cash payments.
How to Reach: This museum is located just beside HSBC Bank (Hong Kong Building), Dalhousie. Buses are available from every corner of the city, even you can reach Central metro station and then take a bus for 10 minutes to reach. Nearest Landmarks are Lal Dighi, GPO, High Court, Banksal Court, and Raj Bhawan.
Nearby places to visit: There are numerous place to visit nearby, few are listed below
Lal Dighi, Millennium Park, Metcalfe, St. Johns Church - 5 to 10 minutes walk from the RBI Museum.
Princep Ghat, Sahid Minar, Victoria Memorial, M.P. Birla Planetarium, Rabindra Sadan, Mohor Kunj, India Museum, Jawaharlal Nehru Children museum, Howrah Bridge - 10 to 15 minutes by bus/cab.
Rules to follow:
- Maintain silence in the exhibition gallery.
- Deposit bags at the designated counter against a refundable token.
- Taking off shoes while entering the gaming zone to keep the place clean. Put mobile phones in silent mode.
- You can use your own earphone or borrow at the reception counter.
- Cameras are allowed inside the gallery.
- Do not litter or take eatables inside the gallery.
- Do not smoke inside the premises.
- Do not touch artifacts.
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