Guinness entry for 100% attendance?
Mohammad Omar, 17, is seeking an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records for an unusual feat — he has not absented himself from school in the past 14 years.
“In an age when students look for excuses to bunk school, Omar comes as a wonderful example. Ever since he was enrolled in the St. Aloysius School here in Kanpur district, he has won the 100 per cent attendance award without fail,” says one of his teachers.
Omar, who is all set to pass out of school after taking his Class 12 examinations in March, has now applied for an entry into the Guinness Book and his school authorities have provided certificates to prove the boy’s cent-per cent attendance in school.
The boy gives credit to his mother for the achievement. “It was she who encouraged me to attend school and slowly it became a habit. Besides, I liked going to school and would go even if I was unwell. The award for 100 per cent attendance was an added incentive and I kept winning it year after year,” he says while talking to reporters in Kanpur.
Omar’s mother Noor Hashmi says her son’s penchant for attending school often caused problems in the family. “There were times when we had to attend important family functions but Omar simply refused to go and I had to listen to comments from family members,” she recalls with a smile.
His father Mohd. Ikram, a local businessman, remembers how his son, as a kid, waded through knee deep waters in their colony to go to school. “He refused to miss classes even when our locality was flooded during monsoons. Later, we realised that it was futile to even ask him to take a break but, today, I am proud of his achievement,” the father says.
Interestingly, Omar’s younger brother, who is studying in Class 10, also seems to be on his way to matching his brother’s record.
“We are glad that Omar’s habit has become infectious and my younger son is following in his footsteps. In fact, other children in the family are also keen to emulate him,” says Mohd. Ikram.
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