00:00Respected Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi ji, my Pranam to you.
00:08My name is Sunil Manilal Kothari, I am an art historian, I am 88 year old and I am speaking
00:16on behalf of several artists who have been given the evacuation notice by 31st December.
00:23I am a Padma Shri and have received that award in 2001.
00:29Most of the awardees are also Padma awardees and also they have received many national
00:36awards.
00:37We have been staying here regularly paying rent and suddenly on the 9th October we received
00:44a notice to vacate the flats where we are staying for last 20 or more years.
00:52In some cases there are people staying for 30 years or more.
00:55Now this is a very difficult order and also a task to execute for us because we don't
01:02have any other accommodation in the city and we do not know where to go.
01:06We don't have any roof on our head.
01:10Our children will be studying in the school, where would they go?
01:14And also our income has completely dried up because there are no tuition fees, we are
01:18not able to take our classes and then these are very difficult times.
01:23We have been paying rent regularly to the government, right authorities and therefore
01:29suddenly when we received the notice we were all shocked and we have written to various
01:36concerned authorities but so far we have not received any reply or assurance from them
01:42and therefore we appeal to you sir that you will have to take a very considerate, compassionate
01:49and considerate view of the present situation and protect us.
01:54If we do not have any other alternative accommodation in the city, where can we go sir?
02:00And therefore in your new policy, whatever new policy is to be framed, we will have to
02:05have a dialogue between the artists who are already existing here and those who are going
02:10to take place or occupy another flat.
02:13Now this is a very complicated issue and cannot be immediately resolved but I am sure with
02:18your good offices sir, if you look into the matter, you will definitely find a solution
02:23for us in the time of pandemic and COVID-19.
02:29Sir, it is very, very frightening and disheartening for all of us, you all are extremely worried.
02:35We have faith in you and in your fair decision and we are sure that you will take a decision
02:44which is satisfactory to all parties which are concerned.
02:51But on behalf of 20 plus more artists who have been given this notice, I beg of you
02:56sir and pray to you to look into the matter with a considerable interest and also great
03:04sympathy and resolve the issue so that we are not on the road and we are able to continue
03:12our work wherever we are now, whether we are staying in the government accommodation
03:18or otherwise.
03:19It is very important that this matter should be resolved so that the artists are at ease.
03:24I remain sir, your sincerely devotee and I beg of you that you will certainly help us
03:33to resolve the issue and take care of it.
03:37Namaskar sir.
03:38Pranam.
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