Dullness is a kind of luxury.

The traveler feels at home everywhere, because she is never at home anywhere.

In India, there are real consequences to inattention; drivers who jeopardize pedestrians can be lynched on the spot.

I am an American, not an Asian-American. My rejection of hyphenation has been called race treachery, but it is really a demand that America deliver the promises of its dream to all its citizens equally.

I had never walked on the street alone when I was growing up in Calcutta, up to age 20. I had never handled money. You know, there was always a couple of bodyguards behind me, who took care if I wanted... I needed pencils for school, I needed a notebook, they were the ones who were taking out the money. I was constantly guarded.

What was the duty of the teacher if not to inspire?

[On her writing agenda:] Make the familiar exotic; the exotic familiar.