Amber Choudhary, Author at The Orbital

28Feb

By Amber ChoudharyNo Comments

Features

Aziz Ansari: A Case of Male Entitlement

The aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein allegations sparked a global conversation about sexual violence, harassment and assault. The Time’s Up movement, headed by Hollywood elite, and the two word hashtag #MeToo movement circulating on social media, were established late last year to curb sexual harassment in the workplace and start a long, awaited discussion about sexism and gender equality. What has unfolded is the resignation and takedown of powerful figures across many industries and the exposure of sex crimes committed by high profile male celebrities. Critics of the movements often compare the misconduct allegations to a witch-hunt where the verdict is usually guilty till proven innocent, a by-product of the social media bubble we currently reside in. One narrative that didn’t qu...

4Oct

By Amber ChoudharyNo Comments

Features

The Partition of India, 70 Years On

The year was 1947. My grandparents lived in a village in Amritsar, a city in the North-Western part of India. The partition of India into two separate states was agreed upon by Britain as a way to solve the mounting tension among its inhabitants. Pakistan was to become a Muslim-majority country, and India was to have a dominant Hindu population.When the partition was announced, people didn’t leave immediately. It was only until the violence started that migration began. My grandmother often spoke about her life growing up on a farm in India in the 1930s and how sad she was to have left. Delving into my family history, I got a glimpse into how chaotic, difficult and dangerous that year was for them. Riots broke out throughout the city; local towns and villages were being set alight. Viol...

28Sep

By Amber ChoudharyNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Matilda the Musical, a Review

The vibrantly lit stage of the Cambridge Theatre is littered with colourful wooden blocks spelling out words like “shiny”, “joy” and “escape”, a nod to Matilda Wormwood’s love for books and the escapism reading provides. Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Matilda the Musical is based on the 1988 children’s novel Matilda, written by Roald Dahl. The premise follows a similar narrative to the novel. A young girl discovers her magical powers as she navigates parents who’d rather she were a boy, and a headmistress who uses any opportunity to throw her in the much-feared chokey, a narrow cupboard with nails and sharp, pointy pieces of glass sticking outwards from every corner. With an army of schoolchildren dancing and singing atop classroom desks and chairs, Matilda the Musical o...

8Jun

By Amber ChoudharyNo Comments

Features

#7ReasonsToVote

During the 2015 General Election, electoral participation was stronger amongst older age groups, with only 44% of 18-24 year olds even voting. Individually, your vote may seem insignificant, but collectively we can make a real difference. Non-voters think their votes don’t count, which is why I have compiled a list of #7ReasonsToVote in this year’s General Election. We live in a democracy, which means we can choose who runs our country; a freedom that many countries don’t have. Voting is a privilege and has never been so easy. The Suffragette movement fought for women’s right to vote. We live in a society where our race and gender has no affect on our ability to vote. The upcoming general election will dictate the next five years of your life. Who doesn't want ...