I am 16 and love my girlfriend. But her family has chosen another guy as her future husband. He forces her to get physical even though she refuses. She’s very depressed. I suggested that she complain to her mother but her mother didn’t react.

Name and address withheld

Obviously her mother couldn’t care less about whether they get physical or not as long as the two dolts marry. Her mother’s far more practical and clear-headed than you are son. Let me break this to you as gently as I can: forget this babe and look at other pastures because this bird’s been taken and it’s unlikely she’ll return to your nest if you know what I mean. There’s no dearth of women in the world and nor is love in short-supply so just find another babe and fall in love again.

I am 18 and love my friend. He’s possessive and can’t tolerate me being with other boys. He really loves me but is insecure. This leads to repeated fights between us. I’m fed up with him and want this to end. But I don’t want to hurt him. Help.

Name and address withheld

Hurt him? Just dump him and move on because this fellow will drive you nuts forever and my suggestion is the sooner you dump him, the better off you will be and you may also preserve your sanity. These possessive dolts can be nerve-racking and you, at this age in your life, don’t need this kind of pain.

I am 15. I study too much for my age but my parents keep telling me to study all the time. I can’t score more than 90 per cent. I want to be a footballer like Cristiano Ronaldo. What should I do?

Name and address withheld

Footballer? In India? Who’s going to feed you hilsa son? Footballers in this country never make any money nor are they as famous (or infamous) as cricketers. Even shooters are doing better and Kalmadi of course the best! My suggestion is instead of being a footballer try and edge out Praful Patel when you grow up from the Presidentship of the AIFF: you’ll be better off being an administrator than a player: as a player the Indian team may not go to a World Cup for another 100 years but as an administrator you will. So the choice is easy 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 : 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 0740

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