

“Science has big problems to solve: famine, disease, extinction. And those who purposefully close the door to others using self-serving, outdated cultural notions are not only dishonest, they’re knowingly lazy.”
― Lessons in Chemistry
― Lessons in Chemistry

“Vaishnava jana to tene kahiyeje piḍa paraayī jaaṇe re. Only those who feel the pain of others may be called truly good. Sarojini sees her listening and says, “A doctor is like that, no?”
― Independence
― Independence

“But I’m betting Marjorie would agree,� Elizabeth said, raising her voice again, “that the hard part wasn’t returning to school, but rather having the courage to do so.� She strode to her easel, marker in hand. CHEMISTRY IS CHANGE, she wrote. “Whenever you start doubting yourself,� she said, turning back to the audience, “whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change—and change is what we’re chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others� opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started.”
― Lessons in Chemistry
― Lessons in Chemistry

“If she had another chance, she thinks, she would do it differently. But chance is a slippery customer, and she can feel Amit’s hands growing cold.”
― Independence
― Independence

“Far greater than all warriors who led armies to battle was this little man, the bravest, the most triumphant of all . . . May the soul of my master, my leader, my father rest not in peace, not in peace, but . . . let the powder of his bones be so charged with life and inspiration that the whole of India will, after his death, be revitalized into the reality of freedom. My father, do not rest. Do not allow us to rest. Keep us to our pledge. Give us strength to fulfill our promise, your heirs, . . . the guardians of your dreams, the fulfillers of India’s destiny.”
― Independence
― Independence

We read and discuss books by South Asian writers. We currently meet virtually via Zoom every 4-6 weeks and sometimes have in-person meetings in NYC. ...more
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