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First Salary: The VP who made Rs 50 per week!

Earlier, this week, we invited you readers to tell us about your first salary and how you spent it. Here's the fourth set of responses we received. Illustration by Uttam Ghosh

First, we have Subramani Krishnan narrating his experience:

Each of us has fond memories of starting our careers. I also had a great start of innings when I joined my first company on August 1, 1980.

I was working as a salesman in a store dealing with cut glass chandeliers and used to get Rs 50 per week as my salary.

I earned Rs 200 per month of which I'd give my parents Rs 30 every week. I'd keep the remaining Rs 20 for my expenses which included lunch and evening snacks.

Every day, I would come to the store at 9 am sharp and return home in the evenings after closing the store around 9 pm. I'd reach home at 10.30 pm.

The routine continued for one year until I got a break to join a multinational company in 1981.

Today, I am the vice president of a company and when I look back at the 30 years of my career, I can see that hard work has paid me dividends in life.

'I performed a pooja, bought sarees for my mom and grandma'

We also have Dr M Balaji Prasad from Coimbatore telling us about his first salary and story of success thereon:

I got my first job in 1995 and I was selected as a lecturer in a government aided college located at Coimbatore.

This was soon after I'd completed my post graduation.

After completing my first month at work, I performed a pooja at the Sai Baba temple as thanksgiving. I also bought sarees for my mom and grandma.

I also expressed my gratitude to my teachers by taking them to a nearby chaat centre.

Today, I am working as an assistant professor in a government college.