But we all have lived together in this town for so long, I just never thought much about peoples' religions before.
-- Nisha (Section 1)

Importance: Nisha's confusion over the role which religion or ethnicity plays in peoples' loyalties is understandable, since, as she says, she has lived in Mirpur Khas all her life where Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus had previously all lived side by side. All of a sudden, tensions between these various groups threatens her family's safety and Nisha points out how ridiculous all of it is, given that they had existed in peace until politicians' rhetoric helped change the world into what she sees as a much more complex world.

Dadi never kisses me. She only pats my hand. She braids my hair and gives me cardamom milk when I'm sick. But it's not the same.
-- Nisha (Section 1)

Importance: Nisha expresses her grief over her mother's loss by reflecting upon the things she is missing...