My older brother likes my girlfriend and keeps sending her gifts. He thinks I don’t know anything about all this but my girlfriend tells me everything. He even says nasty things about me whenever he meets her. I am in a fix. Please help.
Name and address withheld
Look son, it is all bad. There is nothing worse than knowing that your brother thinks ill of you and on top of that wishes to steal your girl too. But then what kind of cow is this girl of yours if she accepts the gifts and then squeals about your brother too. Knowing these gorgons as I do, I can wager she must be telling that brother of yours that you too say nasty things about her. The best option is to get rid of this girl and find someone and then pray to god and Mamata Banerjee (in that order) that your older brother will not prey on her. In the good old days brothers fought over money: now they fight over women! What is the world coming to, son?
I am a 20-year-old man. I love my girlfriend very much. Recently, she found out from her astrologer that she will be widowed if she opts for a love marriage. We both believe in astrology. What should we do?
Name and address withheld
Look, this is simple. You are going to die pretty soon if this rascal astrologer is to be belie-ved. Now the choice is to die with a wife left behind or without one. I would choose the former. My sense is that like all astrologers, this one is horribly wrong too and if he is right then whether you like it or not, whoever you marry will become a widow so you might as well marry someone you love. Just go for it. On my part I will keep looking out for some ugly obituary ads to see if you have really departed.
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
(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)
