Dear
Mita,
I am a student of Class 12. I want to study abroad but my parents
won't be able to help me as my family's financial situation
is not good. I really need a scholarship, but I don't know how
to go about it. I got both primary and high school scholarships
and my parents and I are confident about getting more. I would
really appreciate it if you tell me the process of applying
or giving exams for a scholarship for going abroad.
--Expected
Dear
Expected,
I am sorry but I do not have information regarding scholarship.
You should rather talk to people who have received scholarships
to study abroad. You should also talk to the institution where
you are studying at present and at the same time go to the USIS
and British Council. There might be some facilities to study
in Australia and you may want to explore that. I am sorry for
not being of much help.
Dear
Mita,
I am 16 and have many friends . I like to go out with them and
most of the time I spend money and they just enjoy themselves.
I don't bother about this because I love my friends very much.
But my mother repeatedly tells me not to keep company with such
friends. She thinks that they are taking advantages from me
and nothing else. My mother also thinks that I'm foolish and
my friends are cleverer than I am. I don't want to leave my
friends. If I stop spending money on them, they may consider
me a miser and leave me. Please advise me so that I can save
my money and my friendships.
--R
Dear
R,
It is generous of you to spend money on your friends. However,
your mother does have a point. There is no reason why you should
always be the one spending money. Friends should contribute
on all occasions as per their ability even if it is a nominal
amount. If your friends leave you just because you have stopped
spending does not speak much of your friendship. As you grow
older you will have to make a distinction between sincere and
insincere friends. Meanwhile, there is no need to do anything
drastic. Gradually and firmly make it clearly that you cannot
be the only person spending for everyone else. I am sure you
will not lose your true friends if you do that.
Dear
Mita,
I sat for my SSC examination this year. From my childhood I
have loved one of my cousins who is very beautiful. She is two
years my junior. I can't tell her about my feelings because
she is my cousin. Moreover, our family may not allow this relationship.
But I desperately want to love and marry her. Her father is
a very pious man and he will force her to marry in a few years'
time. I know that it will take me at least another ten years
before I can marry. Now I don't know what to do. Please help
me.
--S
Dear
S,
You have just completed your SSC and there is plenty of time
to think about such serious topics as love and marriage. You
might have a crush on a cousin which is common among young people.
However, whether this should go to the marriage level is a big
question. Moreover, the girl is not old enough to take such
decisions. Relationships between cousins is not appreciated
by most families and it will be wise if you started to get out
of such feelings.