CALANGUTE: The ‘Aguad Interactive Museum: Goa – The Land, The Struggle, The People’ within the former 400-year-old Aguada fort jail complex was inaugurated by Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Tuesday.
An initiative of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), the museum, designed and conceptualised by Oorja Interactive and Delta Technologies, features a range of interactive exhibits housed in three prison cells, providing a journey through various aspects of Goa’s heritage.
“The Aguad interactive museum enriches Goa’s vibrant array of tourist experiences by seamlessly blending technology with engaging storytelling. It artfully communicates the essence of Goa, its people, culture, history, and the pursuit of freedom,” Khaunte said.
“We are thankful to the dedicated team of professional curators, artists, and historians, appointed by the State government, who have meticulously curated this captivating experience. The museum offers both entertainment and education, taking visitors on a journey through history while delighting them with the use of innovative storytelling methods,” said Naveen Chopra, group CEO, Waterfront Experiences, which will manage Aguad.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who was to inaugurate the museum, could not make it. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, Director of Tourism and Managing Director of GTDC Suneel Anchipaka, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Nilesh Shah and others were also present. The museum has been open to visitors since August.
The Museum features a range of interactive exhibits housed in three prison cells. Each cell offers an interactive experience, providing a captivating journey through various aspects of Goa’s heritage. Room-1: Goa – The Land invites visitors to explore iconic landmarks. The highlights include the unveiling of Aguad Fort Jail through an interactive 3D map and the opportunity to delve into lesser-known facts using the “Discover Goa” console. Additionally, the innovative story vending machine, dispenses tangible snippets of history in the form of short story excerpts.
Room-2: Goa – The struggle encompasses a journey through Goa’s path to liberation. Key features consist of the gamified Time Machine, providing visitors with insights into random, but important, historical dates with a simple pull of a lever. The interactive Freedom Fighters Wall enables visitors to connect with freedom fighter stories, while the “Message In A Bottle” exhibit allows for the discovery of their thoughts.
Room-3: Goa – The people submerges visitors into the depths of Goa’s ethnography and anthropology. It features captivating kiosks such as “Once Upon a Time” which explores prehistoric findings, “Goenkar” for discovering prominent Goans, and the soulful “Music of Goa”. Visitors can also witness Goa’s cultural vision in “Goa 2035” through a captivating holographic installation.
