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 Bhalachandra S Singde from Pune who takes us back to 1954 in memories:
In January 1954, I got my first pay check of Rs 75 while working as a clerk in Syndicate Bank. With the salary, I could spend Rs 23 for meals (both lunch and dinner), Rs 10 for tea and nashta (breakfast). I also paid Rs 15 as room rent, and sent Rs 15 to my parents, saving the remaining for myself.
The money had barakat (blessings or growth in Urdu) in those times.
Vivekanand Shankar also gets nostalgic while revisiting the events from his first salary:
In 1979, I had completed my high schooling in Madras (now Chennai) and after a couple of months of loitering around and enjoying the newfound freedom I joined an antenna manufacturing company. (If you remember, in those days tall and lengthy aluminum antennas were used for viewing television.)
I was hired as an installation technician and my monthly salary was Rs 140 (considered decent salary in those days) when bank managers were drawing Rs 4000 per month.
Our family -- a small one -- included my mother, a retired teacher and me. So as soon as I received my first month's wages, I went to a sweet shop, bought ½ kg sweets and gave it to mom. She distributed it to all our neighbours.
Later, I completed my diploma in printing and I am presently heading a leading printing unit in the UAE with a take home pay of approximately Rs 40,00,000 per annum. But the happiness and merriment of those days are missing. Thanks Rediff for rekindling those fond memories.
Here's what KP Parameswaran remembers about his first salary:
After being jobless for eight months, I finally got a job with C M Gabhawala & Co in Mumbai and my first salary was Rs 300 which I received in November 1984.
Of the salary, I sent Rs 100 to my mother who was living in Kerala.
At that time, I was staying with my uncle so I could keep Rs100 for meals and save Rs 50 per month. However, today, I am unable to save a significant amount from my salary.
Nelson Lobo from Mumbai tells us how he earned his first salary when he was 16:
In 1988, after completing my SSC exams, I had joined my uncle's garage for a mere Rs 16 per day. In those days that was a comfortable salary for a 16 year old.
I gave the first month salary to my mother and she spent it on monthly expenses for the family. After completing three months, I joined Hotel Ambassador in Churchgate, Mumbai and since then, there has been no looking back for me
Pradeep Menon from Mumbai tells us how he helped his sister and mother with his first salary:
I earned my first salary way back in 1980 in Kolkata (then Calcutta). I was working with a small dealer's firm and assisting the proprietor for his daily correspondence on a manual typewriter.
My monthly salary was Rs 225.
When I got it, I immediately sent Rs 50 to my mother through Money Order. I remembered how she struggled to meet household requirements. Although I could not save anything from my first salary, I was relieved that I could share it with my mother.
I was staying with my sister and her family, and since my brother-in-law had lost his job due to a union strike at his factory, I gave a portion of my salary to her for meeting some household expenses.
Although my financial status is better now, I am unable to save much out of my salary. With the grace of God, I bought a flat in Dombivli, (a suburb in Mumbai) which is a must for anyone who comes to the city in search of a job.
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 sent Rs 100 to my grandfather'
Here, reader Ravi Mehdiratta from New Delhi tells us why he felt that his father deserved his first salary:
In January 1968, I joined the Army as a second lieutenant. I received my first salary after about three months -- Rs 1,200.
With my salary, I paid my mess bills for three months and sent the remaining money to my dad.
It was his dream to see his eldest son becoming an Army officer which God had fulfilled. He deserved my salary more than anyone. It feels good to remember the old days.
Speaking of first salaries, Chandramouli from Chennai tells us about the unique custom followed in his hometown:
I drew my first salary of Rs 912.50 while working as a trainee officer trainee in Indian Oil in May 1979.
I was living with my father who was earning well at that time. My mother had passed away six months earlier. I had no expenditure from my earnings at that time
But as per the custom of our village, the first salary was handed over to my father as contribution to the improvement of our family deity's temple in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.
This custom is still in vogue, and my children, who are now earning, also did the same when they started drawing their salaries in 2008 and 2011 respectively.
Mohammad Musa from Ratnagiri spent most of his salary on his siblings:
In 2005, after completing my BTech from IEM Kolkata, I joined a company in Kolkata and got my first salary of Rs 8500.
I spent Rs 2,500 to buy clothes for my younger brother and sister. I gave Rs 6,000 to my elder brother because he helped me during my BTech years.
Now I work in the public sector and earn over a lakh, but the excitement is not the same as receiving my first cheque of Rs 8,500.
Ratish Wahie tells us why his first salary was more like a reality check:
I got my first salary in July 1998. Having graduated from the IIT Delhi, I cried looking at the amount that came my way (that's when I realised how we contribute to our mother country every month!!)
Looking at the smallest five figure salary, I realised I won't be able to grow wealthy through a job irrespective of how hard I worked.
Two years later, I started a business alongside my job and built it for 12 long years. In August 2012, I retired from my job to be a financially free man. Phew! Some journey it has been.
Vijay Kumar Saini shares with us how he made his grandfather proud:
I got my first salary in January 1968. I received a stipend of Rs 400 when I was a trainee with a public sector unit. I sent Rs 100 to my grandfather back at my village.
He was extremely happy for the honour and love I had shown for being the eldest grand son.
We also have Vaibhav Vishal telling us how he spent his first salary:
I got my first salary on August 1, 2007. I received Rs 19,000 for working 20 days.
While I lived in Gurgaon, my parents stayed in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. After receiving the salary, I went to the bank and deposited Rs 8,000 in my mother's account and Rs 2,000 in my father's account.
My mom used the money to renovate the sofa set in my home and my father treated my family friends.
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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