First Salary: I still have a photocopy of my first cheque

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 from. Illustration by Uttam Ghosh

First up, we have this response from Neetal Tupe who treasures a photocopy of her first paycheque:

My first salary was Rs 10,000 in the year 2002 when I was working as a freelance computer website developer/designer. I received a cheque which I shared with my parents.

It was also my first solo freelancing assignment which I completed within a month. I'd barely slept for two hours in the night on the last week. It was hard-earned money.

I also remember that the client had agreed to pay me Rs 25,000 when we started, but eventually ended up giving me a cheque of Rs 10,000. Nevertheless, I got what I wanted from the assignment -- rich experience, fun, adventure and the belief that 'I can do it!'

Till date, I have a photocopy of the cheque with me, with a note on it that reads: My first salary, hurry!

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Reader Ramachandran Arunachalam from Chennai tells us why he is extremely proud of his first job despite the meagre salary:

My first salary was Rs 1,200 in the year 2001. I'd completed my engineering and gone to Bangalore to hunt for a job hunt in a software company.

Since it was a period of recession, there were no jobs. I eventually joined an Internet cafe working as a caretaker. My job was to take note of customer's time and collect money for Internet surfing. After receiving my salary I called my mother and told her. She was happy and asked me to visit a temple nearby. My mother also visited a temple and offered an archana (an offering) in my name.

Of course, my friends and juniors from college mocked me for working in an Internet cafe. But the Internet incidentally became my investment. I utilised the time spent in the cafe and collected data and information which I later used as a base for my business. Today, I own an Internet publishing company in Chennai with a strength of 30 people and
earn close to Rs 50,00,000 per annum.

The low pay and the low prestige first job did wonders for me. But I was happy with that meagre salary. I am unable to get the same happiness today.

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We also have Suresh Govindaraj sharing memories from his first salary:

In 1990, after pursuing computer science, I had joined BHEL in Bangalore as a diploma trainee. I got my first salary -- a stipend of Rs 600. Like most others, I gave the money to my mom, who asked me to keep the salary envelope in front of the deity.

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Reader MA Srinivasan earned his first salary when he was barely 19:

I still remember the day I got my first salary -- for doing a full month's work! It was on August 4, 1962.

After securing a first class in BSc Mathematics, I joined Bakthavathsalam Shashtiabda Purthy High School, near Chengleput, Tamil Nadu. I was barely 19 + years at that time. I took up the position on July 4, 1962 and was asked to teach mathematics and English for class 10 and 11 students.

On completion of the first month, I received a total salary of Rs 155 (Rs 140 + Rs 15 as allowances) in the denominations of 14 ten rupee notes and one five rupee note.

The token amount for accommodation came about Rs 15. There was a big prayer hall in the school with a large deity of Goddess Saraswathy. When I got my salary on the evening of August 4, my good friend Shri Thathachari and the all-in-one accountant Sri Pandurangan suggested that I lay the first salary packet at the feet of the Goddess. It was a great feeling standing before the deity along with mother and father.

When I handed over the salary envelope to my mother before Goddess Saraswathy, I felt so great.

I kept that cover bearing my name M A Srinivasan, B Sc., Maths Assistant on it along with the Rs 5 note in it for almost two years, till I got my first salary of Rs 240 from the RBI in October 1964, where I had joined later.

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Satish Krishna spent his first salary on his loved ones and how:

I started my career in translation and worked as a translator in a very small company and my first salary was Rs 2,500. With the salary, I bought saris for my mother, my guru mata and two goddesses.

At the end of it, I did not have money for my own expenses but I was very happy that I could spend my first salary on my loved ones. I will never forget the happiness in a life time.

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Dear Readers, what was your first job? Do you remember what your first salary was?

Today, Sachin Ingalagi from Pune is earning in lakhs, but he tells us why his first salary is still special to him:

I graduated as a mechanical engineer in 2001 and after a struggle of a year and a half due to economic recession, I got my first job as design engineer in a small scale company. My first salary was Rs 2000.

I received it in a white envelope which I still remember vividly. Just a week before my salary day, a best friend of mine happened to join us in Pune to hunt for a job. He was finding it hard to find a decent job and had run out of money and was feeling bit depressed.

The day after I received my salary was a holiday. So I paid Rs 500 as room rent and took this friend and gave him the best treat!! We watched a movie, had lunch as if there were no tomorrow and spent the remaining Rs 1500 in a single day!

But seeing my friend have a good time with that bright smile has been my greatest reward till date. Both of us cherish that moment till today. We are both working for IT firms and earning in lakhs but the Rs 1500 is priceless. I can't buy the same happiness today with money.

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Umesh Malaviya from Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia also wrote to us telling how he could not save much from his first salary:

After completing my graduation in engineering in July 1982, for a few months, I remained undecided whether to pursue my masters (I had got admission in IT BHU in Thyristor Technology) or join a PSU.

After few months, when it was financially not possible to continue, I joined NTPC as an executive trainee in November1982 for a salary of Rs 700 with Rs 410 as dearness allowances. My take home pay was about Rs 950, so I could save about Rs 300 every month.

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Biswajit Pal from Hyderabad took tuitions and earned his first salary:

After passing class 12 in 1986, I was pursuing Bachelors in Science and simultaneously offering tuitions to a class six girl of Bethune School. It fetched me Rs 120 per month.

After a few months, I bought a pair of Bata power shoes and an Allwyn watch with the salary. Today, I earn quite a bit working as a scientist at CCMB, Hyderabad. But after paying my home loan EMIs for a flat I purchased in Hyderabad and school fees for my son, I get tensed at the end of the month about how I would pay my credit card bills!

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Abhijit Moghe tells us how he made his grandparents happy:

After completing my BE in November 1999, I joined a small scale engineering firm-- Abhijat Engineers in Satara. My first salary was Rs 1,800 at that time.

Compared to the rest of my batchmates, my salary was less but it was still a good amount. I hail from middleclass family and at that time both my parents were working.

With my first salary I bought sarees for my grandmothers, both paternal and maternal. They did not expect anything from me but felt really proud that I got a job and bought them a sari.

I still remember the expressions of joy, combined with blessings and the feeling of pride on their faces. I lost my maternal grandmother in 2002 but wherever she is, I hope, her blessings always reach me.

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Reader HS Bhatia also shares memories from his first job and salary:

After completing my senior secondary and learning stenography, I joined my first (also my current company) in 1971 at a monthly salary of Rs 125.

I was delighted to get this much in those days when my friends were still struggling to find jobs that matched their skills. In fact, my father who had completed a service of about 20 years in Bata India, was barely earning Rs 200 per month.

The job involved hard work from my end and given the dynamic management style of my organisation, my company grew and so did I.

Today, I am nearing my superannuation which is due in another five months and I continue to enjoy my current work and role in the organisation.

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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!