Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I have a variety of readers from across the diasporic community, not just from South Asia. I like to write large stories that include all of us - about common and cohesive experiences which bring together many immigrants, their culture shocks, transformations, concepts of home and self in a new land. ”

In community work, you reach some people, but in writing, I can reach many more people, not only in exploring issues of domestic violence, but also by showing the importance of strong women in communities. ”

In many immigrant families, the parents are just talking and talking about the home country until the children are like, 'Oh, don't tell us any more.' ”

My favorite part was when my grandfather and I would make a special trip to Firpo's Bakery for red and green Christmas cookies and fruitcake studded with the sweetest cherries I've ever tasted. Usually Firpo's was too expensive for our slim budget, but Christmas mornings they gave a discount to any children who came in. ”

I had friends who died in the 9/11 tragedy; some of my friends lost family members in the aftermath of Godhra. ”

My grandfather was a very strong personality. He certainly ruled his household with an iron fist, even though it was often gloved in velvet! ”

There is something in human beings that loves stories. ”

I want my books to force readers to recognise the fact that a woman is a human being just like them. ”

After 9/11, there was so much distress in America that it led to an inter-cultural breakdown. Some of our communities were targeted. Many of our adults shut themselves off from other cultures. I tried to bring children of Indian and other cultures together in my literature. ”

It's very important to balance things; it's imperative to do something for the society, and women in particular, and help women who aren't in position to help themselves. ”