Friendly taxman

The taxman is hardly a friendly figure anywhere in the world but in India at least one wing of the tax department is trying to build a kinder, gentler image. Not only did the Central Board of Excise and Customs send out text messages wishing “the nation” a Happy Republic Day, it also reminded recipients that January 26 is International Customs Day and told them to look out for the first ever Indian Customs tableau at the Republic Day parade. We assume the said tableau is not of one its dreaded search and seizure operations. According to the press release, the tableau “presents the myriad facets of the working of Indian Customs and the proactive role it plays in facilitating trans-border movement of persons & goods, while exercising eternal vigilance”.