Matter of fact Quote by Salman Rushdie
““I was born in the city of Bombay ... once upon a time. No, that won't do, there's no getting away from the date: I was born in Doctor Narlikar's Nursing Home on August 15th, 1947. And the time? The time matters, too. Well then: at night. No, it's important to be more ... On the stroke of midnight, as a matter of fact. Clock-hands joined palms in respectful greeting as I came. Oh, spell it out, spell it out: at the precise instant of India's arrival at independence, I tumbled forth into the world.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1995
The speaker ties his birth to India's independence, emphasizing symbolic timing and identity.
In simple terms: He was born exactly at India's midnight of independence.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how personal narratives intertwine with historic moments.
Themes
identity
history
birth
symbolism
Mood
reflective
proud
Type
narrative
historical
personal
When to use this quote
- family storytelling
- cultural heritage
- national celebrations
- personal identity formation
Key Concepts
nationalism
postcolonialism
personal mythmaking
Questions to Reflect On
- How does linking personal birth to a national event shape self‑perception?
- What does this reveal about collective memory?
A Different Perspective
The dramatic framing may exaggerate for effect, blurring factual precision.
![“In my very first term there was an issue that brought us [George Mitchell, Ted Kennedy, Chris Dodd] together in a very deep, emotional, and personal level.It was called 'spousal impoverishment' and it meant that for one person [to go into] a nursing home, the family [ ], could go near bankruptcy…” quote by Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ad5/barbara-mikulski-8601_bankruptcy_in-my-very-first-term-there-was-an-issue_146180.jpg)
