My neighbour has many pet cats. They come into my house and wreak havoc. Due to this I have to shut all doors and windows even in this raging heat. This is affecting my sleep. My neighbour is an extremely belligerent man. Even though it is his fault I am afraid to get into any altercation with him. I am at my wit’s end. Please help.

Name and address withheld

Listen you little wimp, in future when you write to me ensure there are no animal issues. I am not Maneka Gandhi who has time only for rude animals and her errant son. I have many important things going on in my life and I couldn’t be bothered a tad, if the damn cats in you rneighbourhood were clawing your eyes out even! I have to sort out smart-assed people who pretend to teach at my former alma mater and then on top of that I have to ensure La Martiniere remains a decent school. So I have very little time for cat fights, son. Set a few pigeons among your neighbour’s cats and if that doesn’t help look for the fellow who started the Stephen’s Court fire and set your neighbour’s house ablaze but after you’ve rescued the cats!

I am a final year B.A student. My father is an alcoholic and wants me to quit studying because he thinks it is futile for a girl. He even brings his friends over during our exams. They stay over and make studying impossible. However, my mother encourages me to study because we are from a poor and uneducated family. Should I look for a job or continue studying? Please help.

Shila Murmu, liluah

Obviously continue studying unless you hate your Dad so much that you want him to die of cirrhosis of the liver and hence work for an alcohol company so that you get booze at a discount. I mean this could be a well crafted strategy but then why kill the bloke when he will die as a de jure? My suggestion would be to keep studying and make something of your life. And as far as your Dad is concerned ignore the twit or better still show him your face only when he is stone drunk!

HELP AT HAND

Alcoholics anonymous

10A, Nandan Road, Near Ganja Park, Calcutta - 25
Ph: 2419 1174
For free help on alcoholism
E-mail: aakolkata_ig03@rediffmail.com
(2p.m. to 6p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)

Ph : 98309 93132
(2p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)
www.india.al-anon.alateen.org

Narcotics anonymous (Kolkata area helpline)

Ph: 9836223071; www.nakolkata.org
Email: info@nakolkata.org
Self-help group of recovering addicts

HelpAge India

1800-345-1253
Free helpline for the elderly for social, legal, economical, financial counselling and also access to government schemes and policies

Lifeline Foundation

Ph: 2463 7401/ 2463 7432
Free helpline for the depressed or suicidal
(10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdays)

Sparsha

AE-36, Rabindra Pally, PO: Prafulla Kanan, Calcutta - 01
Ph: 2591 0334, 2591 3852, 6529, 9856
Free tele-counselling and one-on-one counselling on personal relationships and HIV/ AIDS
(10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays)

Pronam

38/1, Beltala Road,Calcutta - 19
Senior Citizen’s Emergency
Co-ordination Control Room
Ph: 2419 0740