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Regular-article-logo Sunday, 29 June 2025

Survival Strategies

Suhel Seth has an unconventional take on personal problems — and their solutions

The Telegraph Online Published 20.07.13, 06:30 PM

My best friend and I often joked about getting our children married. For me it was only a joke but I didn't know she had taken it seriously.Recently, my daughter told me that she was seeing someone and wanted to get married. But when I broke the news to my friend she flew off the handle. She has not taken this well and I don't know how to deal with this without jeopardising a 30-year-old friendship. Please help.

Name and address withheld

There is nothing to jeopardise. Both of you are prime dolts: you for shooting your mouth off and that cow for having the kind of memory she has. I suggest you'd be better off not having her as a friend any more. Where is she from? Fiji? In today's times whoever keeps his or her word and you certainly don't seem to be the kind of person who is either loyal or for that matter decent. So, why should you suffer any moral pangs. Just get on with your miserable life and let your friend get on with hers. That's it.

I am in love with my sister's best friend. And when I confided in my sister and asked her to help me express my feelings, she went and complained to my parents. In fact, she has stopped talking to her friend. To make matters worse, she has been telling our parents that her best friend of so many years is not a good girl. I don't know what's wrong with my sister and how I should deal with her. Please help.

Name and address withheld

Your sister is a prime snitch but then most sisters are, which is why my brother and I are happy we didn't have any. Nor the rakhee-sister variety. I suggest you make your own moves and completely ignore your sister. And by the way, how old are you? Do you still need to worry about the reaction your parents will have on who you fall in love with? Do you belong to the Trinamool or what? Just keep calm and carry on and as for your sister, once you begin ignoring her she will knowher place.

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
(2 pm to 6 pm, Mondays through Saturdays)

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)

Ph : 8420738682
(2 pm to 6 pm, Mondays through Saturdays)
www.india.al-anon.alateen.org

Narcotics anonymous (Kolkata area helpline)

Ph: 9836223071;
w ww.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 am to 6 pm, 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 am to 6 pm, Mondays through Fridays)

Pronam

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

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