Survival Strategies

I am a 16-year-old boy. My favourite subject is mathematics. I did reasonably well in my board exam in the subject. But I am spending sleepless nights pondering whether I made any silly mistakes. I think of weird things like whether all my answers are correct. I also worry that the examiner might mistakenly think that a four is a nine. I have recently begun to think that he may also have bad eye-sight. Please help me.

Name and address withheld

Look son, apart from being good in maths, you are also good at worrying and this will help you get very far in life. Who knows, one day you might even become the railways minister of India given how much the new gent is worrying about fiscal gain. Be that as it may, my suggestion is either watch a movie before going to bed or douse yourself with some fine sleeping tablets so that we don’t have to hear your constant nonsense. I suggest you just wait for the results. The worst that can happen is you will fail but then again you will be like many of our politicians. So why worry at all?

I am madly in love with a girl who walks past my bus stop as I wait for the school bus every morning. Every time I look at her, I know for sure that she is the one I am destined to be with. However, for the last two years I did not say anything. Recently, my friends goaded me into mustering up the courage and confess my feelings to her sister. I took the easy way out and did this on Facebook. However, I have had no reply from any of them since. I am really scared and have been avoiding them both for almost a month. Please help me get the love of my life.

Name and address withheld

Why on earth did you tell her sister? You should have told the girl you are after, directly. Look this is a bit complicated so let me explain as best as I can. What has happened is that this sister may have harboured feelings for you but then you like a dolt have told her about the girl you are really lusting for and this sister who you spoke to must have poisoned your girl’s mind. Simple. You have lost both of them. I suggest you either change the bus or the bus stop.       

HELP AT HAND

Alcoholics anonymous

10A, Nandan Road, Near Ganja Park, Calcutta - 25,
Ph: 2419 1174
For free help on alcoholism
E-mail: akolkata_ig03@rediffmail.com
(2p.m. to 6p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)

Ph : 8420738682
(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