I am 17 years old. My boyfriend is very possessive about me. He doesn’t even let me make friends with anyone. I have tried dumping him but whenever I do it, I feel horrible. How do I forget him?

Name and address withheld

So how long has this dumping thingie been going on for? You seem to dump him more than the Gandhis dump their loyalists...look my child, my suggestion is just plain walk out of this relationship: things are never going to get better and we don’t want this constant letter-writing nonsense from your end: we have a country to run, remember. So, whoever this possessive jerk is, shake him off and please don’t keep us informed. Frankly neither do we care nor is it exciting!

I’m a 27-year-old professor. Last year I met a boy who is a great student. We fell in love. Some teachers discovered this and are forcing me to quit. They have threatened to expel him if I do not resign. I don’t want to ruin his prospects but this job is perfect. Please help.

Name and address withheld

You will always get a better (or another) job but you may not get this young toy boy so dump the job only if you think this toy boy will be yours forever which too seems very unlikely. I would keep the job if I were you and find another young lad till I got caught all over again. By the way, where do you teach darling? Just curious.

I am 18 and love my classmate. I think he likes me but he doesn’t reply to my messages. We talk a lot when left alone but it is awkward with people around. Does he like me or am I just reading too much into it?

Name and address withheld

I guess you are reading too much into this and these days these goddamn text messages are misleading too. I often send out text messages merely out of boredom not out of excitement but then people generally misunderstand my boredom for something really titillating. I suggest get yourself a real man who besides texting you, will do other exciting things to you...after all how long will you live a pre-paid life?

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
(2 pm to 6 pm, Mondays through
Saturdays)

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)
Ph : 8420738682
(2 pm to 6 pm, 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 am to 6 pm, 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 am to 6 pm, Mondays through Fridays)

Pronam
38/1, Beltala Road, Calcutta - 19
Senior Citizen’s Emergency
Co-ordination Control Room
Ph: 2419 0740