I love sitting in the first row and giving correct answers to the teachers. The entire class hates me for it and calls me ‘Chatur’ from 3 Idiots. They make fun of me and embarrass me. But I cannot sit in the class without participating. I need your advice. Please help me.
Name and address withheld
Advice? What advice can I give you? My suggestion is allow yourself to be teased but at least do well: it will be those jokers who will become industrialists and go to Tihar while you will go to IIT and become a Cabinet Minister for the Environment. So let them make fun of you: the fact that you’ve written to me is proof that you have a thick skin. Just fatten it further and enjoy my son!
I have a son. But he looks like my neighbour. I am afraid of asking my wife about this. It might just be that I am wrong. But I see it every time I look at my son. I am finding it very difficult to ignore this feeling any more. Please help.
Name and address withheld
You must ask your wife and she seems to be Anna Hazare’s daughter who will willingly tell you the truth right? Are you insane? Instead of asking your wife, do the smart thing. Get her DNA sample through subterfuge and also get your neighbour’s on some pretext and then send them to our esteemed Government labs.One lab will say the son is yours and the other lab will say it is your neighbour’s post which you can be content merely with the balancing effect!
I am a Chartered Accountancy student. My employer makes me work like an ass, scolds me and doesn’t pay me money in time. But I can’t leave the job. What should I do?
Name and address withheld
Chartered accountancy is like national service. Chartered accountants are an invaluable source of enduring joy. They are the people who make this country run. They are braver than some of the decorated soldiers we have had. Look I don’t believe any of what I have just said but this is to appease the CAs because the last time when I cursed them, they almost went on a fast. My views on CAs are well-known so do what you deem best son.
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 : 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)
Pronam
38/1, Beltala Road,Calcutta - 19
Senior Citizen’s Emergency
Co-ordination Control Room
Ph: 2419 0740
