GET AHEAD

'I joined Indian Navy for a salary of Rs 1,200'

By Deepak Verma
March 15, 2020 08:41 IST

We'd asked you, dear readers, to tell us what your first salary was and what it meant to you at the time.

Rediff reader Deepak Verma, 51 from Ahmedabad shares his story:

I joined Indian Navy in 1986 after completing class 12. My first salary was Rs 1,200.

Since I was undergoing training, my salary was deposited at a local pay office.

After completing my training, I received a consolidated amount of Rs 7,200.

It was a huge amount and I had no clue how to utilise it well. So I saved it till the time I visited my hometown.

I took my father to a shop and bought a suit worth Rs 3000.

I gave Rs 3,000 to my mother who used the money to buy a second LPG cylinder for the house.

I spent the remaining by celebrating my first job with friends from my college. Most of them were

All of them still remember the lavish get together which is still remembered despite we spent much more currently in any such parties.

Later, I was transferred to another unit for my professional training. I quit the Navy in 2000 and joined Ison Xperiences, an international BPO in 2001.

Currently I am working as vice president-service delivery in the company.

Looking back at my career, I have realised that the happiness and satisfaction I got from my first salary in 1986 cannot match the perks I have enjoyed over the years.


READER INVITE

Dear readers, do you remember what your first salary was?

When did you receive it? Which year was it?

Do you have a photograph of it?

What did it mean to you at the time? Tell us all about it.

What was your first job and salary? And how did you spend it?

Did you buy a sari for your mum or a gift for your girl/boyfriend?

Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject line 'My First Salary') along with your NAME, AGE, LOCATION and photograph, if possible. We will publish the best responses right here on Rediff.com!

Deepak Verma

Recommended by Rediff.com

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email