Kavita's Blog

  Snape is my friend Marie’s favourite character and it is not hard to deduce as to why. His unrequited love for Lily Potter (nee Evans) which was revealed in my favourite chapter of ‘The Deathly Hallows’ (chapter 33, I believe) is what ultimately saved the wizarding world. The reader learns that Snape had been in love with Lily since they had met as eleven-year-old children. Although she never knew of this love and rejected his friendship after he regretfully called her a ‘Mudblood’, it was his love that had ultimately saved Harry. This was as a result of the fact that upon learning that Voldemort had planned to track the Potters down and murder them all, he went to Voldemort and begged him to save Lily. This what caused Voldemort to ask Lily to step aside; however, for her son, she refused to, choosing death to save the life of her son. The love that Lily had left Harry was so powerful that it overcame the killing curse that Voldemort tried to put on Harry and instead backfired o...

 On the 10th April 1998, the 30 years troubles that affected the island of Ireland (both north and south) and the UK had come to an end, by a single piece of legislation. This piece of legislation helped to cement the fact that Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom; however, it allowed the Irish minority to believe that the north of Ireland was a part of Ireland if they so desire. Citizens of Northern Ireland can now choose to be Irish or British (or both) and the lack of any border (which was crucial to the Irish backstop) was essential in creating the perception of a United Ireland to Nationalists/Catholics. More importantly, the fact that a new government was established where Nationalists and Unionists had to share power - they had to work together and peacefully. I personally think the GFA 1998 (which Brexit puts at risk especially with the border in the Irish Sea) is the best piece of legislation the UK (with help from the EU and the US) has produced. 

 Philomena Lee became pregnant outside marriage in 1951. Her father was so outraged with her that he sent her to a Laundry. She gave birth to a baby boy named Anthony (who was later renamed Michael) and cared for him for three years. During her time at the laundry, Philomena endured three years of unpaid work by doing manual labour. One day Anthony was sold to a wealthy American couple. She never saw him again as Anthony (now Michael) died in 1995 at the age of 43. The laundry was in Roscrea and later Anthony, who had remembered his mother even though he was 3-years-old when he last saw her, was buried there. If you haven't watched the film 'Philomena' (starring Judi Dench) then I would definitely suggest this to watch! 

  The Magdalene Laundries are barely talked about in Britain and I hope I can create awareness of what they were through this blog post. They occurred in Ireland from the eighteenth century to the twentieth century – crucially, and unbelievably, with help from the state. Over 30,000 ‘fallen’ (so unconventional women from that time – e.g. if they became pregnant outside of marriage like Philomena Lee) women were in a laundry. If you had fallen pregnant outside of marriage and weren't rich you were not allowed to keep your baby; instead, they were sold to the highest bidder, often from the USA. A lot of the women were traumatised at what had happened to them. In 2013, Ireland publicly apologised for what those women went through and established a compensation scheme. However, there has been no apology from the Church at Vatican City or from the Irish Church. These nuns were said to be acting according to God’s laws but they showed relentless unkindness to these poor women. Hopefully ...

 I start my volunteering journey with the Hospice of St. Francis today and I'm so excited! My mum sadly passed away at the hospice from lung cancer at the age of 54. They looked after her wonderfully and cared for every member of her family (there were 10 of us who visited every day including my aunt's dog Oscar and my cat Tiffany). I've always wanted to give something back and now I have the chance!

  This film was lambasted by Conservative politicians when it first came out on the basis it was too intrusive in its depiction of dementia-stricken Margaret Thatcher. However, I disagree. I think it is about time that society portrays Thatcher as to who she really was: a human being who faced adversity as well as celebration. Too many of critics of Thatcher dehumanise her and too many followers of hers idolised her to titanic heights. The Iron Lady, starring Meryl Streep (who won an Oscar for this performance and deservedly so), focuses on Thatcher in 2011 as she struggles with her dementia battle, as she believes that her husband Denis (played excellently by Jim Broadbent) is still alive. The film then goes onto showcase her achievements as Educational Secretary and Prime Minister, including how she dealt with the Brighton bomb in October 1984. It also focused on her fall from power brought about by Lord Heseltine (who, to this day, remains one of my favourite correspondents) and...

  As someone who is addicted to both politics and Harry Potter this chapter is a sheer delight to read as Downing Street becomes interlinked with magic. The reader is immediately introduced to the Muggle Prime Minister as he reflects on an emotionally exhausting week, which, as it soon becomes apparent, is the fault of the Death Eaters and Voldemort who were causing havoc on the country. This chapter has some humorous moments especially when learning that the former Prime Minister (perhaps Margaret Thatcher?) tried to throw Fudge out, believing he was a prank planted by the opposition. Moreover, there perhaps is a sense of justice felt by the reader upon learning that Fudge, who had treated Harry in OOTP so badly, was sacked as a result of an inability to keep control of the country. This chapter ends with the new Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, meeting and updating the Prime Minister of the new developments. In short, this is an entertaining and concise read to what is a fant...

 Dyspraxia, formally known as development co-ordinational disorder, affects movement and obviously co-ordination. For a condition that is not well known about, dyspraxia affects 10% of the British population - and 2% severely. It also overlaps with other conditions such as ADHD and autism. Due to a premature birth, I have dyspraxia. I found things difficult when I was younger such as doing ties and the jean button. When I got older I found it trickier to apply make-up and drive. Although I live in my walking boots (they are my main shoes that were bought for the Hospice walk) I find it a struggle to do shoe-laces and my boots are poorly tied. My handwriting is less to be desired and I used a computer for all my exams since GCSE as well as having extra time as my hand hurts after half an hour. Thankfully, however, dyspraxia does not affect intelligence; it only affects movement co-ordination. I dance with two left feet and one of my teachers used to say I hold a pen like you would h...

  Theresa May was Prime Minister of the UK and leader of the Conservative party from July 2016 to July 2019. Although she had strong support at the start from the Conservative party, who saw her as all-powerful, she was an inept leader. May had completely misjudged the public during the 2017 General Election where she lost the Conservatives their slim majority. She was completely reliant on her advisors, Nick Timothy (who came up with ‘Brexit means Brexit’) and Fiona Hill and then on the DUP. May was someone who had kept deliberately low during the 2016 referendum campaign (she barely campaigned for Remain) and then reinvented herself as a Brexiteer who wanted out of the single market and customs union. Although she was never a Brexiteer at any cost (for example she was committed to the Good Friday Agreement and was against a hard border in Ireland) she presented herself as such through her infamous ‘Citizens of nowhere’ speech. May did not have many allies in government or in the ...

 On the 31st October this year I will be walking 10km for a grief charity, Sue Ryder. Grief, I have realised, in England at least, is a very private matter, especially when compared to how grief is dealt with in India and southern European countries. It is easy to feel alone when grieving. The purpose of the Sue Ryder charity offers bereavement support to those who need it. This is essential, especially in a keep calm and carry on mentality of the UK, where people may bottle up their emotions. I hope this blog can raise awareness for the Sue Ryder charity! 

 Stern, formidable and strict, Minerva McGonagall reminds me clearly of a teacher from my secondary school. She is unanimously respected by students and staff alike (apart from maybe Umbridge). Here are a few reasons as to why she is my favourite female HP character: 1) She's an animagus and can turn into a cat! What cooler transformation is there?! 2) She loved and played Quidditch (when she was at school).  3) Far from throwing the book at Harry when he flew to collect Neville's remembrall (not that Harry knew it - he thought she was going to cane him) she recommended him to the Gryffindor team to Oliver Wood and so Harry was the youngest (and most talented) seeker in a century.  4) She's fair and doesn't have favourites (favouritism was rife in said secondary school and I say that as someone who was a favourite with some of the staff) and it's so refreshing - especially when compared to people such as Snape. E.g. when she took 50 points off from members of her ho...

 I was four-years-old when I first discovered The Sound of Music and one of my earliest memories was lamenting that I was younger than Gretl (who was 5). There are videos of me dancing to the 'Do-Re-Mi' sequence with my then baby sister trying to join in. I loved the Sound of Music so much; I nearly fainted with delight when my Dad said he might be able to meet Julie Andrews through his work. One of my all-time highlights was when I, along with sixty other people in my year, was cast as a goat (shout out to Rachael, April and Joanna) in the school's production of the film and we had to make our own goat masks. The fact that we were told to learn 'Do-Re-Mi' for homework filled me with delight. My video and tape of the Sound of Music are still ruined because of how incessantly they were played. It was twenty years ago when I went to a 'Singa-longa-Sound of Music' and I loved it.  You would have thought all this over-exposure of one 2hr and 51minute film would ...

 After Soneva Jani, Ravenclaw and my grandparents' old home in Leicester, Gryffindor is the ultimate place in which to be. My beloved cousins Maya and Arun are Gryffindors as are two of my best friends (Cecily and Marie). They are fabulous company and an asset to the Gryffindor house. I'd always denied myself a place in Gryffindor (unlike my persistent admission to Ravenclaw) because I scream when I see a spider. I didn't do too well in the Pottermore questions either by always shying away from the most brave options (such as duelling). However, it is a house which I would love to be in and here are the reasons as to why: 1) The three main protagonists (Harry, Ron and Hermione) are all Gryffindors! Who wouldn't want to be associated with them?! 2) How many times have Gryffindor (admittedly in recent years) won the Quidditch World Cup and the House Cup?!  3) The head of house is my second favourite character of all time - Minerva McGonagall (who my cat - Tiffany Niamh Mi...

Now, I am not a Thatcherite by any stretch of the imagination (I am a proud centrist / centre-left who yearns for a moderate Labour government to tackle the inequalities our society face today – unlike Thatcher I think the state can be a force of good, rather than something from an Orwellian novel). However, she was undoubtedly the last honest politician. She had unpopular policies but never shied away as to what she believed was right. I disagree enormously with Thatcher on Europe; no doubt had she been alive in the referendum she would have campaigned for Leave (Ken Clarke was right - she would have been leading the European Research Group) even though she was a huge proponent and creator of the Single Market. That all acknowledged, politicians from across the political spectrum would do well to emulate Thatcher’s honesty. If they had there probably would be no tuition fees, no Iraq war and certainly no Brexit. Thatcher would have campaigned for Brexit on a sovereignty issue rather...

 My favourite journalist has to be Lewis Goodall. I was reading 'Labour: Left for Dead' earlier and he, like me, is addicted to politics. 

 What a fantastic dude the man was. My favourite all-time HP character! 

 Audrey Hepburn should have been nominated and won the Oscar for her performance in 'My Fair Lady' in 1965. An absolute travesty that just because she didn't sing she was denied the chance. Her performance was versatile and exquisite and a real pleasure to watch! 

53% of people voted for pro-remain parties in the UK general election 2019. The will of the people was ignored as a distorted FPTP system returned a Tory majority of 80. One Labour MP (I forget who) said the 2019 election was a referendum on Corbyn and I agree. I reckon if there were a referendum today Remain would win by a landslide. The fuel shortage is linked to Brexit, not to mention the constitutional status of Northern Ireland and Scotland. Who knows what will happen in ten years - we may have rejoined. I do hope that we will rejoin sooner or later! 

 In 1932, Marion Crawford, a psychology student, was hired by the Duchess of York (who was later to become Queen Elizabeth and The Queen Mother) to teach her two daughters, then the Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret. Forming a close bond with the two princesses, she stayed with the family for over seventeen years. In 1950, Crawfie (as she was nicknamed by Princess Elizabeth) published a tell-all book about her time with the Royal Family. Deeply hurt and confused, the Princesses and King and Queen never spoke to her again. It appears that years later, Crawfie had regrets about this and tried in vain to contact them. Her efforts were relentlessly ignored. Crawfie passed away in 1988 without reconciling with the Royal Family.  Some members of the Royal Family and Bowes-Lyon family (the family of the Queen Mother) thought that the Royal Family were too harsh on Crawfie. Compared with other tell-alls, such as Paul Burrell, and even Diana, Princess ...

 Hermione Jean Granger should be a role-model for everyone. Unlike other role models where they are seen to be perfect (see my previous post on Audrey Hepburn), Hermione is said to have wonky teeth (until half-way through the Goblet of Fire where she had her teeth corrected by Madame Pomfrey) and bushy hair. As someone who had hair just above her ears, Hermione was a comforting role-model. She also made learning seem cool (similar to how Harry made glasses the new fashion icon). Harry could not have survived without Hermione, from as early as the Philosopher's Stone, where she helped Harry and Ron through Devil's Snare, and Harry in working out the riddles of the potions. She was brave and loyal; showing true friendship to Harry in joining him in the 7th year in his quest to destroy Horcruxes. My favourite characters are definitely Dumbledore (everyone needs a Dumbledore in their life!) and McGonagall, but Hermione comes at a respectable third. 

 Audrey Hepburn is often seen as perfect. However, the real woman behind the myth was flawed; however, that is what makes her loveable, attainable and an icon in her own right.  "God kissed her on the cheek and there she was", remarked Billy Wilder, who directed Audrey in Sabrina. During the making of the film, Audrey broke one of the ten commandments by embarking on an affair with William Holden, who at that time was married. She later dumped Holden upon learning he couldn't have children. Audrey had other affairs, including Albert Finney (who she should have married; they would have been the new Burton-Taylor couple) and Ben Gazzara, the latter of which she conducted when she was in her fifties. Audrey had difficult relationships with men; her two marriages (to Mel Ferrer and Andrea Dotti) were marked by insecurities and unfaithfulness. She was so scarred by the idea of marriage that she actively refused to marry her last partner, Robert Wolders, believing it was more r...

  Although I am proud to be a Hufflepuff with my best KCL friends (Rosie and Holly), Ravenclaw still remains my second dream house (after Soneva Jani in the Maldives). I have countless of friends in Ravenclaw (both of my Rachaels, Joanna and Candace to name a few) and I even bought a Ravenclaw hat from Primark (although I took it off during lectures and seminars). I badly wanted to be in Ravenclaw! And it’s not a bad house to be in as will be explored: 1)       Ravenclaw is the clever house. It is home to wise and witty people such as Luna Lovegood. Fun facts: Hermione Granger and Minerva McGonagall were nearly placed in Ravenclaw. 2)      To enter the common room you have to answer a riddle. 3)      Ravenclaws are creative and original as well as being smart. 4)      They fought in the Battle of Hogwarts on the side of Harry. 5)      They are unique and think outside of the box...

 Although I am a proud Hufflepuff, my two ideal houses (after Soneva Jani in the Maldives) are Ravenclaw and Slytherin. As already mentioned, two of my best friends, Dharini and Ella, are Slytherins, and you couldn't find better friends. Unfortunately, having had Voldemort and Malfoy in the Slytherin house, the reputation of Slytherins is tarnished. However, with Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter being fellow Slytherins, it is proof that there are good Slytherins. I'm now going to explore the ways in which it is cool to be a Slytherin!  Firstly, Slytherins are determined. There are hardly better qualities to have! In pursuing their dreams Slytherins are focused and concentrated in getting what they want. It is essential to be determined in the work-place or at school. Secondly, Slytherins are ambitious. There's nothing wrong with being ambitious and achieving their goals. Furthermore, and as another blogger said, Slytherins are natural leaders. During a time where there lack...

 I think it was wrong of Angela Rayner to have called Boris Johnson 'scum'. It sends out the message that politicians can be childish and resort to derogatory terms. They cannot put themselves in that position because it just gives a green light to Conservatives calling their opponents that or worse. Also, if Labour have a hope in winning the 2024 election they need to win over soft Tory opponents. Dehumanising their leader is a poor place to start. 

  I'm thinking of Johnson and Corbyn and the film Billy Elliot. I'm thinking what would have happened if the miners' strike happened in the winter of 2019.  -Johnson doing a tour of the NE-. -Johnson dressed as a miner complete with a yellow helmet-  Johnson: I love the mines! I love miners too! I've always wanted to be a miner and that's what I would have been if I wasn't PM.  -Billy Elliot comes in- Johnson: Hello young chap! What's your name? Billy Elliot: Billy  Johnson: Ah young Billy! Well, I'm going to do everything I can to save the mines and your father's job! Because we are the Conservatives and we are for each and every single person doing the best they can! Don't worry young Billy - I will speak to that charming Mr. Scargill and I will personally ask him to save the mines.  -few months later- Johnson: Billy, I'm so sorry, but that pro-EU loving Mr. Scargill, Mr.  Milne  and Mr. Corbyn have sold off the mines to Angela Merkel who...

 A very short piece today but I just wanted to write how I think Dame Louise Casey's report on integration is a fundamental document for government. All should read it. 

 "Accept it", said Joanna, my Ravenclaw friend. "You're a puff!" I must have done the Sorting Quiz at least twenty times; however, with each time it came up as 'Hufflepuff'. Most people envisage their dream houses on the coast or abroad; my dream house was Ravenclaw. Most of my friends happen to be in Ravenclaw (as well as my sister) and I wanted to join them. I even bought a Ravenclaw hat (although I took it off in seminars and lectures) in Primark. Failing that, I wanted to be a Slytherin. Two of my best friends (Dharini and Ella) are Slytherins and you couldn't find more solid friends. However, through this journey, which has lasted over three years, I am finally proud to be a Hufflepuff.  Firstly, I reckon it is the most tolerant house. Although Ron once mentioned that there isn't a witch or wizard who didn't go to the dark side who wasn't a Slytherin (although this was before it was publicly known that Peter Pettigrew was working for...

  For a long time, my favourite Harry Potter book was the Half Blood Prince; within the Harry Potter community there is unanimous agreement that it is underrated and overshadowed by the Deathly Hallows and I agree. Harry, although still recovering from the death of Sirius, is in a much better place. Compared with the previous year where he was called mad or insane (until Rita Skeeter’s interview with him in the Quibbler), that year shows a more settled Harry (even if he was obsessed with Draco Malfoy and the Half Blood Prince). However, recently, I stumbled on the Prisoner of Azkaban, and the Half Blood Prince was promptly regulated to second place. The first reason as to why I think Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is brilliant is because how accurately it shows depression via the Dementors. These soul-less creatures literally drain the happiness of a person and reminds them of their darkest memories. It was 1999 when Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was first pu...

 It's baffling that Boris Johnson quoted Kermit the Frog in front of other eminent world leaders. The trouble is, I don't see Conservative England rejecting the Conservative Party in 2024. I reckon Johnson will win again in 2024 and 2029 simply because England is mainly consisted of towns that vote Tory. I think Starmer will stay on in 2024; I don't see him surviving 2029. I think Labour is going to lurch further back to the left post-2029 and it will either do really well or badly in 2034. I don't see Labour winning many elections in this century, sadly! There has never been more of a need for a centre-left party. It's a shame that Change UK were not like En Marche in France. The UK needs to be more proud of New Labour; name one other government that lifted one million people out of poverty and brought peace to Ireland. Obviously Iraq was an unmitigated disaster but other than that the proposals by New Labour are much to be proud of. 

  I first encountered Harry Potter as a nine year old, admittedly several years later than my peers at the time. Having suffered a broken leg (due to a yoghurt pot inconveniently being on a stair) I was at a physio session when my forty something physiotherapist asked me if I had read the books. At the time, I was slightly up myself, and was obstinate in not following the crowd (for similar reasons I also rejected Pokemon and yo-yos). My physiotherapist was determined I should give the books a go. So, with nowhere to run, I read the first chapter, with my Mum sitting next to me, while the physiotherapist worked on my leg. Due to my reluctance to return the book after the session was over, I took the book home with me. It is now in my Music Room (a room namely because my keyboard, violin and saxophone resided there) where it is has been read hundreds of times since. I was excited to turn 9 and 3/4s and watching the first film remains my second favourite memory to date (the first bei...

This piece will focus on the Thursday 9 th June 1983 election. This election was won by the Conservative Party with 339 seats, a majority of 144 seats, with over 13 million votes casted for Margaret Thatcher’s party, and secured 42.4% votes. Thatcher’s Conservatives gained an extra 58 seats. There was a turn out of 72.9% and the Labour Party, under the leader Michael Foot, managed to obtain 209 seats and 8 million votes and lost 60 seats and only got 27% of all votes cast. Although the result was disastrous for Labour, they still managed to be the second biggest party and so formed the opposition. The third biggest party, which obtained 7 million votes, was the coalition between the SDP and Liberal parties only managed to get 23 seats. This landslide election allowed Thatcher to have a stronger reign over her party and the majority of 144 seats remains the highest Conservative win to date. Crucially, however, and as E.H.H. Green states in his ‘Thatcher’ book, Thatcher lost a percent...

The conversation on mental health is turning. I remember when I was a young teenager and those who were sadly suffering from anorexia and bulimia were told that they brought it on themselves and to just eat more. Today, thankfully, partly due to the work done by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in their 'Heads Together' campaign the stigma of mental health is slowly but surely eradicating. A number of well-known people have declared that they in the past or in the present suffer from mental health issues, one of whom is Stephen Fry. Workplaces and universities are far more well-informed about mental health than they were just ten years ago. Approximately one in four people has a mental health condition and a large amount of people are on medication.  However, more action is needed. Whereas conditions such as anxiety or depression are seen to be on par with physical illness, more serious health conditions such as schizophrenia or psychosis still need attention. Hopefully, with ...

 The Hospice of St Francis: The Hospice of St. Francis is a charity run organisation for the most ill in society. It offers end-of-life care to terminally ill patients. I received the benefits of the Hospice of St. Francis when my beloved mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and had only weeks to live. The hospice were amazing to us; they even let my mum meet our newly bought kitten, Tiffany.  I did a walk for the hospice earlier this year with my sister Ronu and we managed to raise over three thousand pounds! I will start work as a volunteer for the hospice in October and I cannot wait to get started! 

 The Samaritans:  On 1st November 2021 until 31st December 2026 I will be walking four miles every day to raise money for the Samaritans. My eventual total will be 7300 miles which is approximately the distance from London to Indonesia. I am doing these walks because the Samaritans offer 24/7 help to those in distress or those who just are feeling emotionally burdened. It has over 200 branches spanning in all four different countries in the UK who treat each call with complete confidence. It is now free to call the Samaritans (on 116 123) and one of the 20,000 volunteers who work for the Samaritans picks the call up to offer a non-judgmental, kind and perceptive approach to the problem in hand. The work the Samaritans do is, in my opinion, not valued enough and I hope the walk that I will do will help bring awareness to this charity.

The Labour Party: I sometimes wonder if the Labour Party don't know how difficult it is to win an election. England has always been Conservative; the Labour Party relies on nations such as Wales and Scotland for Labour seats. Ironically, it is the SNP, opponents against a Tory government and frequently state that successive Tory governments is a substantial reason for independence, that is currently preventing a Labour government. Currently, the SNP have 50 potential Labour seats. Although that is not enough for Labour to win an election (its current toll of around 200 seats means that it needed an extra 125) it would be in a better position to oppose the Conservatives and form a strong opposition. As approximately six million families are on universal credit, and who are going to see an £80 reduction from the 6th October onwards, never has there been more of a need to champion the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable in society. A strong and credible Labour government is what ...

Audrey Hepburn Audrey Hepburn (born Audrey Ruston) was born on Saturday 4th May 1929 in Ixelles, Brussels. Her family were very well-off but Audrey's childhood was a difficult one. At the mere age of 6, her father, Joseph, abandoned the family leaving her mother, Ella, to raise Audrey alone. Ella and Audrey spent the war together in Holland where Audrey nearly died of starvation and jaundice. It is because of Audrey's malnutrition that led her to be very skinny for the rest of her life.  When society tends to think of Audrey they think of her beauty and elegance. Undoubtedly she was very beautiful (for further evidence see 'Two for the Road' where I think she was at her most gorgeous). But I believe her beauty overshadows her acting prowess and humanitarian nature. She was a skilled actress - the first actress to receive a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for her performance in the 1953 'Roman Holiday'). She should have been nominated for an Academy Aw...