I am 16. I want to attend college in Delhi. But my parents treat it as a joke. They don’t value me at all. I want to leave. Help.
Name and address withheld
You certainly must and you can always go to Ranchi instead of Delhi because that’s how limited your tolerance levels seem to be. Look, your parents treat you this way because you give them the impression of being a light-weight and someone who talks but never delivers. If you do want to go to Delhi (and I can’t imagine why unless of course you’re keen to meet Kalmadi and Raja), then just go ahead, do well in your studies and hopefully your parents will agree. You’re not exactly asking for Rakhi Sawant’s hand in marriage so why would they be like this if you weren’t such a dolt?
I am an air-hostess. I have to wear short skirts, but my mom-in-law hates it. I’ve explained to her that it is my uniform. But she wants me to wear a sari all the time.
Alisha, email
Tell her to go to hell. Simple. Or better still buy yourself a bag. Wear a sari, leave the house and then change into this uniform of yours. Why do only air-hostesses ask me the silliest questions? Is it because you have to spend so much time in the air that you eventually become airheads or what? I mean here I am, addressing large international and national issues and there you are bothering me with trivia related to clothes. How damn silly! Which airline are you joining? Air India? If it is Air India, then you needn’t worry because it will never take-off!
My husband and I have very strenuous jobs. We hardly see each other all week. Dinner is the only time we meet and we eat in complete silence. How can I bring back the romance?
Name and address withheld
Both of you stop working and enjoy unemployment: remember unemployment always creates excitement. Look at some of the members of our Parliament? They are always happy, always animated, always throwing abuses (or microphones) at each other. Look child, this happens in every marriage and romance in a marriage is like getting Poonam Pandey to wear clothes. It’ll never happen. So remain content in this thought and get on with your silent dinners. If noise is what you seek, then have your dinners whilst watching Aaj Tak or 24 Ghanta.
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
