in 1992 i paid Rs 9/- for a litre petrol, now in 2008 its 55/- so its a hike by 6 times in 16 years..!! but in 1992 a fresher engineering graduate was earning 4000-5000/- per month so multiplying by 6, it comes to be 24000-30000/-. i think thats what a fresher of engineering graduate gets today as a starting salary..!! so its all same........ cost is not a panic....