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

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

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" I was caught on the freeway for hours when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. The entire city had to be evacuated. I observed lives threatened by catastrophes and a whole range of behaviour. What could people do during a crisis? "

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" I started putting down my thoughts on paper out of loneliness while I was studying in America. I was very close to my grandfather, and when he died, I couldn't visit home. I started scribbling those thoughts. "

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" I feel I can express the nuances of the Bengali lifestyle and ways of thinking better than other cultures. "

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" Strong women, when respected, make the whole society stronger. One must be careful with such rapid changes, though, and make an effort to preserve, at the same time, the positive traditions of Indian culture. "

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" As I lived on in America, I got to truly know the people of this country - so many kind and wonderful people, people of so many races - who helped me in so many ways. Who became my friends. I realized that underneath our different accents, habits, foods, religions, ways of thinking, we shared a common humanity. "

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" I was very fortunate that all my holidays I'd spend with my grandfather, experiencing a much more traditional way of life and listening to these wonderful stories, which I now feel are such an important part of Indian thinking. "

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" I write in my study, where I also have my prayer altar. I believe that keeps me focused and gives me positive energy and reminds me that I'm merely the instrument of greater creative forces. "

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" Perhaps what distinguishes my characters is their courage and spirit and a certain stubbornness which enables them to keep going even when facing a setback. I think this developed organically as I wrote, but also it came out of a desire to portray women as powerful and intelligent forces in the world. "

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

" I have been watching how Indian women are forced to do certain things, as the stories of sacrifice and devotion in mythology demand from them. And then there are inspiring stories about women like the Rani of Jhansi that offer women refreshing role models. "

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" I write best late at night, when everyone in the house has gone to bed. There's something magical about that late night silence that appeals to me. "

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" I was about 12 when I first encountered 'The Moonstone' - or a Classics Illustrated version of it - digging through an old trunk in my grandfather's house on a rainy Bengali afternoon. "

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" When I was volunteering with Hurricane Katrina refugees in Houston in 2005, I first started thinking about the whole phenomenon of grace under pressure. "

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" It's different for different people, and for a woman it's important to look as good she wants to look. But you don't need to do it for someone else or to impress some male out there. You do it for your own sake. You wear what makes you feel good, you put make-up and jewellery - whatever gives you self-confidence. "

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" I like being myself. Maybe just slimmer, with a few less wrinkles. "

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" The ancient world is always accessible, no matter what culture you come from. I remember when I was growing up in India and I read the 'Iliad' and the 'Odyssey.' "

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" I came into Chicago in winter - I'd never been so cold in my life! I was very homesick, and a poor student at that time. America seemed so different and so filled with amazing things - and almost all of them were out of my reach. "

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" I wrote 'Mistress of Spices' at an unusual time when I had a near-death experience after the birth of my second son. "

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" I grew up in Kolkata in a traditional family. We had friends who lived in mansions just like the one in 'Oleander Girl.' Growing up, I was fascinated by the old house and the old Bengal lifestyle. "

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" 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. "

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" I am a Hindu, brought up mostly in India. "

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" I started writing after the death of my grandfather - memories, poems, etc. It was very personal; for years I did not share my writing with anyone. "

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" I took a little break after 'The Palace of Illusions' to clear my head. "

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" I came from a traditional family, and it was an exciting but challenging transition to move to America and live on my own. The world around me was suddenly so different. "

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" I find that it's really important for me to imagine characters and situations. That allows me a lot of freedom. "

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