I am a 25-year-old woman. All my friends are married or have boyfriends. I feel bad that I’m single at this age. My parents are looking for a boy but they reject me for silly reasons. I am depressed and have no confidence. Help.
Trina, Calcutta
Darling, age is only a number. And trust me all your friends, or at least some of them will be single again given how happy some marriages in today’s times are turning out to be. My advice is, stay single and postpone marriage for as long as you can. Marriage is an enduring pain and you too will be afflicted by it... sooner rather than later. And as for boyfriends, what’s with the men? Aren’t there any around in Calcutta or have they all left for Nandigram?
I am 17. I love my physics teacher and think of him all the time. I don’t want to have these futile emotions that I know will not amount to anything. Please help.
Name and address withheld
These goddamn physics teachers have all the luck. I never hear of any one telling me they are in love with their English teacher or for that matter even their damn Hindi teacher. I guess these physics teachers purposely complicate our lives and we sadly believe they’re the only ones who’ll be able to simplify them, which is when they move in. In more ways than one. Anyway love, what can I say. If physics teachers give you the jollies, so be it. I am happier with Priyanka Chopra and Angelina Jolie...but to each his (or her) own.
I’m 39 and very attractive. I want to marry a celebrity. Especially, after watching Guzaarish I am obsessed with you. Is this fixation illogical? Please help.
Name and address withheld
Join the millions of women who bleed every day thinking of me. Join the millions of women who have my face, my hair (and that’s a lot of it) and my mind tattooed on their bodies. Join the millions of women who wake up every morning and see my face in their mirrors. Join the millions of girls who carry sandwiches with my face between the tomato and cheese. Can you handle all the envy love? If so, then send me a telegram and we’ll er... talk…
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 074
