Features – Page 22 of 26

6May

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Features

Cannot Afford To Not Vote.

Despite of all the stress on how important it is to vote, some of us still get lazy when it comes to registering to vote and then actually voting. What we do not realise is how lucky we are to have a transparent electoral system which gives us the right to voice our opinions without difficulty. We forget that there are countries in the world, where people are still struggling for their rights to vote. Or countries where, when you vote for change, your vote gets changed due to massive rigging. Anyone who knows me well, knows how passionate I am about people and their political rights. That is probably because of the fact that I have spent many years living both in Pakistan and in the United Kingdom. Therefore, I can somewhat distinguish between what makes a country flourish; electoral syst...

27Feb

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Features

Peru Labour Law

At Royal Holloway, we are privileged to have an education (granted, at a price) but our rights as students and young people are never usually questioned. However, in many other places across the world, such as Peru, young people’s rights are at stake due to the ever rising changes in the national law. For example, one law, set to be repealed, would result in young adults receiving cuts in their employment benefits including reduced salaries, bonuses and severance payments. Frank Guevara, at university studying Engineering who lives outside of Lima, describes the law “as a way to exploit young people. It wouldn’t help people like me. When I get out of university, I’d like to think that my first job would be stable but this law wouldn’t let it.” Frank further states that, “I have friends ...

27Feb

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Features

Changing Perceptions

Love in the Movies Simran Chard shares her opinion on the validity of Romace in the world of film: “Love isn’t like you see in the movies” was the mantra I had embedded into my head from a young age. The idea that love is given a fantastical and irrational portrayal in cinema has been long known, but how does it really affect us when we get to that time in our life and we start looking for our ideal partner? Having reached the ripe old age of 20 I find myself in the predicament that 80% of women my age find themselves in, the never ending battle of finding that one special person. The one person you want to spend long winter nights cuddled up to against the fireplace and spending hours watching out dated television series together. What makes it worse? The fact that everyone aroun...

13Feb

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Features

Lonely Hearts Club Anyone?

So, I'm sure you don't need to look far to realise that it's now February which means one thing and one thing only, the oh so beloved holiday that is Valentines Day is upon us. If it isn't the masses of heart-shaped chocolates, teddy bears and tacky greeting cards that make you aware of its arrival, then it's the extremely cynical Facebook statuses that don't only grace your news feed on February the 14th, but also three weeks prior to the date as well. Perhaps deep down you know that you are one of those social media complainers that the rest of us resent. Or better yet, you're one of the lucky ones who actually have something planned which results in the rest of us loathing you even more than the cynical-social-media-squad and if that does happen to be the case, then why are...

30Jan

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Features

Moments during the journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway

On the Olkhon island, Lake Baikal, 22nd of August 2013 …We were cycling to the southern tip of the island through a vast, yellow flatland. It was magic: feeling so small and looking down the endless dirt road, stretching as far as you could see. The only sound that I could hear when I stopped pedalling was this distinctive sound of anybody can hear: the sound of our own existence, of our body. This muted, travel-like, silenced deepness that is clearly audible if you listen carefully… And that was something that completely soothes you; the thought that although you are the smallest feature into this featureless landscape, you are indeed alive and vibrating. You are breathing out life. After a while we found the beach that we wanted. Countless cows were grazing ...

28Jan

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Features

Introspection

I’m wandering around aimlessly, alone. It’s dark out, so dark. I can barely see before me. It feels like it should be snowing. I wish it was snowing. That would be more romantic at least. Without the snow it’s just sad. I am so very alone. I’m sitting now. I’ve changed my mind, I stand. I sit again. I lie back, and stretch out on the cold, damp floor. I move to make a snow angel. The gravel scratches my bare ankles. When did I lose my shoes? I’m staring at the sky and it is charcoal. I can hear shouting. It’s muffled; everything sounds underwater. I close my eyes and I can see bright colours, swirling and twirling in a black ocean. Electricity vibrates through the current and the bubbles are fluorescent. This isn’t beautiful. This isn’t artistic. I see this every time I close my eyes. I ha...

28Jan

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Features

New

The ice smashes as feet step onto it, Mouths expel air- cold, light and visible. Her scarf isn't enough, her teeth begin to grit, Winters as cold as this only seemed mythical. She walks carefully, conscious of her steps, the same people surround her, nothing was changing. Avoiding falling proved to be complex, She shivered as the darkness was anticipating, waiting. She closed her eyes as she reached her vehicle, A smile crept onto her face as she reminisced. Promises she made to ensure that this year was meaningful, Resolutions that now ceased to exist. Her thoughts were interrupted by the explosion of light, Colour and beautiful fireworks filled the dark sky. The year had finally ended as it struck midnight, That's when he finally caught her eye. His hair blew viol...

28Jan

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Features

A Christmas, not so merry for some.

December is a month of celebration, a month when Christmas is celebrated across the globe and people indulge on the endless festivities with your loved ones, a month when we say farewell to the year that has passed and prepare for a new year, a new beginning. It is a month everyone looks forward to and it has been like that for centuries. But this time, humanity prays that a December like the December 2014, never returns. It is due to the attack at the Army Public School, Peshawar, Pakistan where around 142 people, including 133 children were brutally martyred by terrorists. Although it was not a first, as around 1000 schools have been targeted by the militants, it was however, the first time militants came with a list of students whose fathers were in the army, and those were the kids wh...

28Jan

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New Beginnings

“New year, new start”, Grace muttered as she scooped the beer cans off the counter into an already bulging bin bag. The last night of 2014 had gone by and was now nothing more than a hazy memory of alcohol, music and far too many remaining party-goers asleep on her kitchen floor. Grace had suffered through many hangovers courtesy of an overly boozy night but the one she’d woken up with this morning was a strong contender for the worst ever and the suspicious splashes on her dress weren’t inspiring her with much confidence as to the outcome of the evening. Mercifully, she’d found a stray couple of paracetemol in her flatmate’s cupboard to take the worst of the edge off and was now working through the inevitable task that every host faced after a good party; the clean-up. The overall appe...

28Jan

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Features

Care to go Dutch?

Mention Amsterdam as a holiday destination and the first thing that comes to mind are drugs and rampant sex, making it easy to believe there’s not much else to experience. But with its extensive culture and bustling nightlife – there’s something for everyone. The Museums Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum houses a collection of historical Dutch artefacts and for the history buffs; a visit to the Anne Frank House is a must. Exploring the City by Bike The city is broken up by over 100,000 metres of canals, making the easiest (and cheapest!) way to get around by bicycle. Alternatively, you can discover the city via a ‘Pedalo Treasure Hunt’ – a unique way of adding some adventure to your trip while seeing the sights. Their Clubs If you’re looking for a way to spice up your nights, you c...