03/01/2018
Dear All,
I refer to the recent Kamala Mills tragedy in Mumbai and the follow up severe action by the local Municipal body (BMC) on SMAAASH and other outlets in the Kamala Mills premises. I want to highlight the facts of the incident to you as they happened.
I am completely in support of BMC’s move to eradicate illegal structures and condone the innocent lives lost on account of negligence by promoters. I am also enthused by the BMC commissioner’s action as we all pray for a safer and better Mumbai. However what I have experienced in the last four days is enumerated below:
a) SMAAASH occupies a building of 20,000 Sq. Ft. and also has an open area of 7,000 Sq. Ft. A part of the open area was covered by tensile fabric not to get any economic benefit but to provide comfort to the consumers from heat and rain. However, the same was demolished without any prior notice.
b) We also run a traditional restaurant since a year which serves Gujarati food called Pravas - Gujarati Kitchen and Bar, and is designed like a train with two bogies. BMC officials highlighted to us that the design of the bogies was 4 Ft. beyond the demarcation line, to which we stated that we would remove it but it was demolished instantly on 30th Dec, 2017.
c) We moved the court on 1st January, 2018, and the counsel for BMC Mr. Sakhare and our counsel Mr. Kamdar argued the matter before the Hon’ble Justice Mr. Shinde, as we apprehended that the BMC were afoot to demolish our other establishments 18.99 Latitude Banquets and Verbena - BrewPub & SkyGarden on the very same day. When at the instructions of the Hon’ble Court and inspection was conducted on January 2nd by BMC team, the structure were found in order, the case comes up for hearing on 8 January.
d) Go karting track was also inspected and found as per the approved plan. To quote the BMC counsel “the officers on 31 January 2017 have taken corrective action"
e) When the demolition was carried out, my team pleaded to allow us sometime to remove our valuable games and furniture. They declined and bulldozed causing damages to our gaming equipment and legitimate structures.
In spite of my health I work hard because I know the importance of Sports. People seem to have paused their play button and are suffering from obesity and mental illness. We invent aspirational machines that makes everyone want to un-pause their play button.
I have and will never do anything wrong, I have worked with statutory authorities, shareholders and bankers and customers all my life. I always consider the statutory authorities as my guardians and always work hard to abide by the laws of the land.
I am no 'fly by night operator'. I have been in business since I was 22 and am 60 now, I have exited out of four ventures including Sharekhan and Amar Chitra Katha and intend to die with dignity.
SMAAASH is reopening the Mumbai center on Saturday at 2 pm and I seek your blessing and continued support.
Should you have any queries I’m available to answer them.
Best,
Shripal Morakhia
Founder, Chief Imagination Officer, Smaaash
