We asked you readers to tell us about your first salary and how you spent it. Here's the latest set of responses we received. Illustration by Uttam Ghosh
First up, we have Ismail Momin who while telling us about his first salary also reminds us how the price of the yellow metal has escalated over the years:
After completing my graduation in electrical engineering in 1971, I joined as a graduate engineering trainee on October 1, 1971.
Nearly 41 years ago, I got my first stipend of Rs 450, which was a big amount for me. I spent Rs 150 on my food bills and other sundry requirements.
I got a saree worth Rs 75 for my wife (who had only two pairs then), and the remaining Rs 225 was sent to my father in the village to meet his requirements.
With Rs 450, I could have purchased 20 gms of gold at that time because the price of gold was Rs 200 for one tola (10 gms).
Dr M K Khurana, associate professor from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad sent us this response:
My first salary after graduating from Thapar Institute in the year1982 was Rs 960. I would save Rs 300 per month which was one-third of my total earnings. Today, my salary is Rs 88,000 but I am able to save only one-tenth of my earnings.
Balu Thasulu from Bangalore tells us why he was excited on receiving his first salary:
In 1990, I was in my second year pre-university course when I failed in a subject and could not continue my studies. Since my parents were also facing financial problems at that time, I discontinued my studies and decided to look for a job.
Luckily, for me, my cousin brother offered a job in his workshop and that's how I earned my first salary of Rs 450.
I was so exited the day I got my first salary that I was jumping with joy. I handed over the entire salary to my mom because she deserved it.
Abhishek Mohta from Australia recollects the gifts he bought with his first salary:
I got my first salary in the year 2004 when I joined Infosys. It was around Rs 15,000 per month.
It was like a dream come true and the salary was decent. I had brought a Mysore silk saree for my sister and with the rest of the money I brought gifts for my nieces and nephews (there were many of them, since I live in a joint family).
Today, I am deputed at Australia and my take home is Rs 2.5 lakhs per month but the joy and excitement from my first job is never to come again.
Narayanaswamy Krishnan tells us why he could not celebrate his first salary:
I got my first salary in June 1988 while working for a company in Masjid Bunder in Mumbai that manufactured battery covers for Exide. I received Rs 800. Ironically, I had come to the city a few months ago with the same amount -- Rs 800 -- which was given to me by my father when I was living with my uncle.
During the job search which lasted for two months, I'd almost exhausted the money he'd give me and the first salary was a timely reinforcement. I did not have to send anything back home as my family was doing fine.
After receiving the salary, I started looking for bachelor accommodation as my uncle was living with his family in the railway quarters in Matunga -- a one bed room hall kitchen. I could not celebrate my first salary, as I was too pre-occupied with finding a place to live and keeping my monthly expenses under Rs 800. I do remember buying 1 kg sweets and distributing it to my uncle's family and relatives.
After receiving the salary, I'd written to my family back home and I remember my mother sending her blessings in the reply letter.
Dear Readers, what was your first job? Do you remember what your first salary was?
Tell us a little about where you worked and what you did there? And of course, what did you do with your first salary? Did you buy a sari for your mum or a gift for your girl/boyfriend? We want to know so tell us all about it!
Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject line 'My First Salary') and we'll publish the best responses right here on rediff.com!
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'I missed my father on salary day'
Nikhil Deshmukh says he missed his father when he received his first salary:
My first job was in 1998. Since I'd lost my father only two months prior to the job, the first salary was an emotional affair. I remember my first salary was paid in cash -- a sum of Rs 3,000.
When I brought the salary home and handed it to my mother, it was an emotional moment. I missed my father tremendously on that day.
With the first salary, I bought myself new shoes. I don't remember much of what I did with it, but I'd shared the remaining salary with my mother.
Reader Ravi earned his first salary when he was in class 12:
I earned my first salary way back in 1995. When I was in class 12, I started earning by giving tuitions to kids. I earned Rs 350, of which, some I spent on my books and gave the remaining to my mother for household expenses.
Getting that money was kind of an achievement for a 16-year-old and the feeling of ownership that I could do something good was even wonderful.
Since then there has been no looking back for me. My earnings have been consistent since then.
EVR Krishnan remembers the little joys of spending his first salary on his family:
Ha Ha Ha! If I look back, I feel like laughing.
Way back in 1966, I joined in small wholesale cloth merchant in a small town called Palghat. My first salary was Rs 75 per month besides 75 paise per day as lunch allowance, which was paid every day.
In those days, for 75 paise, I used to get a dosa, a plate of vada and a cup of coffee.
With my first salary, I had purchased a bus pass for Rs 15 and shared the remaining with my mother. I had also bought a saree for my sister from the store. I was 16 then and worked there for six months.
M V Ramana from Hyderabad tells us about the first salary he received in 1972:
After completing my graduation in 1972, I joined a theatre to work as a booking clerk so that I could lessen the burden on my father who was a government employee at that time. I belonged to a middle class family, being the eldest of five children.
My first salary was Rs 2 per day. I was given four 50 paise coins in my hand on the first day at work.
After two months, I started received the same amount as monthly salary (Rs 60). Those days, you could survive with that meagre amount.
We also have this response from Vishnu Kumar Srivastava, from Haridwar, Uttarakhand:
I got my first job after completing class 12. I worked as a receptionist at Hotel Park View in Agra from July 12, 1993 and my salary was just Rs 600 per month.
In the first month, I drew a salary of Rs 387 for working 20 days. I was shivering while receiving the amount.
I gave the entire salary to my father to manage home expenses.
Dear Readers, what was your first job? Do you remember what your first salary was?
Tell us a little about where you worked and what you did there? And of course, what did you do with your first salary? Did you buy a sari for your mum or a gift for your girl/boyfriend? We want to know so tell us all about it!
Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject line 'My First Salary') and we'll publish the best responses right here on rediff.com!
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