Hassan’s Attendance Problem Summary and Explanation
PSEB Class 12 English Chapter 1 Hassan’s Attendance Problem Summary, Theme, Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from A Rainbow of English Book
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PSEB Class 12 English Chapter 1 – Hassan’s Attendance Problem
by Mohammed Asim Siddiqui.
Hassan’s Attendance Problem is a humorous, thought-provoking short story by Mohammed Asim Siddiqui. The protagonist is Hassan, a bright university student. In the story, Hassan does not struggle with academics; he struggles with the most basic requirement of most colleges: attendance. Through the oddity of Hassan’s little problem and the events surrounding it, we gain insight into student life, academic systems, and human psychology. The story employs light satire to illustrate the irony of rigid systems and strict rules as they sometimes impose themselves on human personalities, and how society tends to categorise people without fully understanding them.
- Hassan’s Attendance Problem Summary
- Hassan’s Attendance Problem Summary in Hindi
- Hassan’s Attendance Problem Theme
- Hassan’s Attendance Problem Lesson Explanation
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Hassan’s Attendance Problem Summary
The story begins with the narrator (a university teacher) considering a student named Hassan, who was notorious in all departments for his bad attendance record. Hassan was sweet, intelligent and provided answers to questions asked by the instructor, but he rarely attended the lectures, which ultimately prevented him from being able to become eligible for the exam.
The narrator recalls that Hassan was an introvert and sincere student who was attentive everytime he attended class, but his attendance issues seemed almost perennial, always overshadowing his academic ability. Hassan often sat in the front row and thoughtfully listened to the lesson. His classmates were failing everything it seemed, yet Hassan, as a non-attendee to class or other lectures, seemed to at least understand the content.
The faculty members often deliberated over Hassan’s case. Some figured he was just an outright manipulative or dishonest person who played games with anyone who tried to support him, whereas some others had zero sympathy for people who did not show up for class. However, in the narrator’s mind, Hassan’s situation was driven by psychological issues rather than being completely disciplinary. The Narrator even attempted to speak with Hassan and offered to give him support. Whenever the narrator would get Hassan to promise that he would attend every week, he would always promise to be present in the course, but he would fail to show up again and again, even after being given several chances.
Things escalated to where the department contemplated banning him from examinations. The narrator, still wanting to believe in Hassan, gave him one last chance, tenuously allowing him to continue to return to school. For a while, Hassan put in effort, going to class and seemingly turning a corner. Then, he vanished again, once again missing important days.
Eventually, the narrator finds out from Hassan’s family that he is now in counselling and receiving treatment for a mental health issue. This helped clarify to the narrator that Hassan’s missing attendance was not due to laziness or rebellion, but because of a personal, and internal battle.
The story ends with the narrator recognising how the education system and society overall often overlook silent suffering in students. Also, it demonstrates that empathy and understanding are just as critical in education as rules and discipline.
Summary of the Lesson Hassan’s Attendance Problem In Hindi
कहानी की शुरुआत कथावाचक (एक विश्वविद्यालय शिक्षक) द्वारा हसन नाम के एक छात्र के बारे में सोचने से होती है, जो अपनी खराब उपस्थिति के लिए सभी विभागों में (बिल्कुल) बदनाम था। हसन मिलनसार, बुद्धिमान था और प्रशिक्षक द्वारा पूछे गए प्रश्नों के उत्तर देता था, लेकिन वह व्याख्यानों में बहुत कम उपस्थित होता था, जिसके कारण अंततः वह परीक्षा के लिए योग्य नहीं हो पाया।
कथावाचक याद करते हैं कि हसन एक अंतर्मुखी और ईमानदार छात्र था जो कक्षा में हर समय ध्यान से उपस्थित रहता था, लेकिन उसकी उपस्थिति की समस्या लगभग हमेशा बनी रहती थी, जो हमेशा उसकी शैक्षणिक क्षमता पर हावी रहती थी। हसन अक्सर आगे की पंक्ति में बैठता था और ध्यानपूर्वक पाठ सुनता था। ऐसा लगता था कि उसके सहपाठी हर विषय में असफल हो रहे थे, फिर भी हसन, कक्षा या अन्य व्याख्यानों में न आने के बावजूद, कम से कम विषयवस्तु को हमेशा समझता हुआ प्रतीत होता था।
संकाय सदस्य अक्सर हसन के मामले पर विचार-विमर्श करते थे। कुछ लोगों का मानना था कि वह एक सरासर चालाक या बेईमान व्यक्ति था जो हर उस व्यक्ति के साथ खेल खेलता था जो उसका समर्थन करने की कोशिश करता था, जबकि कुछ अन्य लोगों को उन लोगों के प्रति ज़रा भी सहानुभूति नहीं थी जो कक्षा में नहीं आते थे। हालाँकि, कथावाचक के मन में, हसन की स्थिति पूरी तरह से अनुशासनात्मक होने के बजाय मनोवैज्ञानिक समस्याओं से प्रेरित थी। कथावाचक ने हसन से बात करने की भी कोशिश की और उसे सहयोग देने की पेशकश की। जब भी कथावाचक हसन से हर हफ़्ते आने का वादा करवाता, तो वह हमेशा पाठ्यक्रम में उपस्थित रहने का वादा करता, लेकिन उसे एक और मौका देने के बाद भी वह बार-बार नहीं आता था।
बात इतनी बिगड़ गई कि विभाग ने उसे परीक्षाओं से प्रतिबंधित करने पर विचार किया। कथावाचक, अब भी हसन पर विश्वास करना चाहता था, उसने उसे एक आखिरी मौका दिया, जिससे उसे स्कूल जाने की अनुमति मिल गई। कुछ समय तक, हसन ने कोशिश की, कक्षा में गया और ऐसा लगा जैसे कोई मोड़ आ गया हो। फिर, वह फिर से गायब हो गया, एक बार फिर महत्वपूर्ण दिन छूट गए।
आखिरकार, कथावाचक को हसन के परिवार से पता चलता है कि वह अब मानसिक स्वास्थ्य समस्या के लिए परामर्श और उपचार ले रहा है। इससे कथावाचक को यह समझने में मदद मिली कि हसन की अनुपस्थिति आलस्य या विद्रोह के कारण नहीं, बल्कि एक व्यक्तिगत और आंतरिक संघर्ष के कारण थी।
कहानी का अंत इस बात से होता है कि कथावाचक यह समझता है कि कैसे एक शिक्षा प्रणाली—और समग्र समाज—अक्सर छात्रों की मूक पीड़ा को नज़रअंदाज़ कर देता है। साथ ही, यह दर्शाता है कि शिक्षा में नियम और अनुशासन जितने ही सहानुभूति और समझ भी ज़रूरी हैं।
Theme of the Lesson Hassan’s Attendance Problem
The primary theme of Hassan’s Attendance Problem consists of the opposition between academic policies and individuality. The story explores how someone as smart as Hassan, who had no problem understanding and learning, could still experience failure simply because he did not conform to the institution’s policies, such as mandatory attendance. In the story, the author addresses themes of misperception, academic pressure, social identity, and kindness. The author indicates concern with the strict policies of an educational institution that sometimes values adherence to academic rules over actual learning, and questions through humour and irony what education should look like for the human being and not the other way around.
Hassan’s Attendance Problem Lesson Explanation
Passage: Mrs. Sudha Murthy is a teacher, social worker and a philanthropist. Her work speaks more than any words will. She is the spouse of humble, Mr. Narayan Murthy, the founder of Infosys. Her contribution towards family, company and world is immense. Her humbleness reflects in her writing. Hassan’s Attendance Problem describes the consequences of not taking things seriously and not working for the sake of knowledge. Only working for marks or money will lead one nowhere. She explains it with a quintessential example of her student Hassan who used to bunk a lot of her class.
For many years now, I have been teaching Computer Science to students studying for their Master’s in Computer Applications at a college in Bangalore. I have interacted with many students, and though it is not possible to remember all of them now, the memories of some are etched in my head. That is not because they were all brilliant, but rather because something in them was very different from the others.
Word meanings:
philanthropist: a rich person who helps the poor and those in need, especially by giving money
spouse: a married person
immense: very big or great
humbleness: the quality of not being proud or arrogant’
quintessential: being the perfect example of something
etch (v): make strong impression on one’s mind, cut lines into a piece of glass/metal etc.
Explanation of the Passage: This excerpt introduces Mrs. Sudha Murthy not only as a teacher but also as a respected social worker whose life reflects humility and service. As the wife of Narayan Murthy, the founder of Infosys, her contributions extend beyond her family to the company and society. Her writing style, marked by simplicity and sincerity, mirrors her values. The story “Hassan’s Attendance Problem” exemplifies the theme that education should be pursued for knowledge, not just for marks or money. Through the case of Hassan, a habitual absentee in her class, she presents the consequences of neglecting one’s studies. While she has taught many students over the years, she remembers only a few, not necessarily for brilliance but because of something unusual about them. Hassan’s case, in particular, stands out and prompts deeper reflection on what truly makes a student memorable, not grades, but the story behind their struggles and choices.
Passage: In my first batch, there was a very bright boy called Hassan. He was tall, handsome, with a very good memory. He came from an affluent family where he was the only son. Initially, I did not come to know of his existence at all, mainly because he was hardly ever present. I normally take the first class of the day, which is scheduled at 9 a.m., or the one after that at 10 a.m. I prefer this time as this is when students are fresh and very attentive.
Word meanings:
batch: class
affluent (adj): prosperous, wealthy (a very affluent neighbourhood)
Explanation of the Passage: In this paragraph, the author describes Hassan, a student from her first batch, as bright, tall, handsome, and with a good memory. He was from a rich family, their only child; therefore, it’s fair to assume that he had a privileged childhood. The author says she didn’t notice him initially because he barely came to class. She explains that her lectures were usually in the early morning hours, her preferred teaching time when she liked a fresh and attentive class, and that with Hassan not frequently coming to class, he became almost invisible in her classroom. This paragraph begins by touching on Hassan’s attendance issue, which becomes the main issue of the lesson.
Passage: Once in a while, Hassan would turn up, particularly if there was a class test or during examinations. I met him more often for attendance shortage meetings. He would beg for attendance in such a manner that it was very difficult for me to say ‘no’. Sometimes I would get upset and tell him, ‘No, I can’t give you attendance. There should be discipline.’
‘Yes, madam,’ he would reply apologetically, ‘pardon me. From the next semester onwards, I will attend your class. Can you not pardon me this time? To err is human, to forgive is divine. You have only taught us this.’
Word meanings:
apologetically (adv.): in the manner of saying sorry for something that has been done wrong or that causes a problem
pardon me: used to indicate that one has not heard or understood something.
err: to make a mistake
divine: connected with god
Explanation of the passage: The author discusses Hassan’s pattern of sporadic attendance, he would show up from time to time, usually on test or exam days, and was hardly ever in class. She acknowledges she saw him more in the meetings regarding his absences than in class. During those meetings, she would find Hassan begging for his attendance with such sincerity that while rejecting his request, she felt emotionally responsible for not accommodating him. Regardless of their relationship and her sympathy for his pleas, she too had to enforce standards, and so, she did her best to deny him attendance in class; she reminded him of his shortage in attendance. Hassan, in turn, was polite and clever and used what he had learned from the teacher, the moral position of “to err is human, to forgive is divine” as a rationale for leniency. This paragraph demonstrates both Hassan’s charming and apologetic nature, his lack of discipline, and his tendency to manipulate situations with emotional appeals, even though he obviously respected his teacher’s position.
Passage: I could not remain angry for long. Teachers do get upset with students who are not regular, but if the attendance shortage affects their appearance in the final examination, they tend to melt like snow against the sun. A good teacher will always wish for the best for her student, though I do agree discipline is very important too.
As he was very bright, Hassan would invariably get a first class in the exam. However, before the exam started, every semester, this drama with Hassan would be repeated. I would get upset, threaten and ultimately give in. Each time Hassan would promise to improve his attendance record, and for one week would attend all classes, then the same old story would follow. Each time he had a different reason for his absences. Unfortunately, they always seemed genuine to me.
Word meanings:
shortage: a situation where there is not enough of something
tend: to usually do or be something
invariably: almost always
Explanation of the Passage: In this passage, Mrs. Sudha Murthy reflects on her inability to remain angry with students like Hassan, despite their irregularity in attending classes. As a compassionate teacher, she believes that while discipline is essential, a teacher’s ultimate wish is always for the success of her students. Hassan, being exceptionally bright, always secured a first class in exams, but his lack of attendance became a recurring issue every semester. The author describes how Hassan would promise to improve, attend classes for a short while, and then return to his old ways, often giving excuses that appeared sincere. This highlights both Hassan’s intelligence and carelessness, as well as the teacher’s struggle between enforcing discipline and showing kindness.
Passage: Once I got tired of his stories and called his parents. Your son is a bright boy, he is not arrogant but he is indisciplined. If only he came to class regularly and attended the lab I am sure he can get a rank. I have failed to convince him. I will be happy if you could look into the matter more seriously, because this is going to affect his life,’ I said to them.
Hassan’s father was a busy man and did not take my words very seriously. He said, ‘As long as he does well that is fine with me because after a certain age children do not listen to their parents. Only life will teach them.’
But his mother was in tears.
‘Madam, I have failed as a mother. He does not listen to me at all. He spends all night listening to music, and chatting with his friends. He sleeps at six in the morning. How can he come to any class? He does not pay any attention to what I say and tells me I repeat the same thing always.’
The meeting ended in an argument between his parents. His father said, ‘You are the mother. It is your duty to correct him. You should spend more time with him, I am so busy. You have failed.”
His mother said, ‘You are the father. It is difficult to control boys. You can speak to him man to man. Earning money is not the only thing in life.’
This continued for a while and the meeting ended fruitlessly. Hassan continued in his ways till he passed out of his course, as usual in first class. He was a nice boy. He came and thanked me.
‘Madam, thank you for teaching me for the last three years. Because of your kind heart I could get all my attendance. I wish all teachers were like you in the college.’
I laughed.
‘God willing, we will meet again.’
Word meanings:
arrogant: thinking that you are better and more important than other people
fruitlessly: in a way that does not produce any useful results
Explanation of the passage: Mrs. Sudha Murthy, describes a crucial moment when she attempts to intervene in Hassan’s careless attitude by involving his parents. She acknowledges Hassan’s intelligence but expresses concern about his lack of discipline, especially his poor attendance, which could ruin his future. While his father dismisses the issue with a fatalistic attitude, claiming that children must learn from life, his mother is emotional and regretful, admitting her failure to control Hassan’s habits. The conversation between the parents turns into a blame game, revealing a lack of unity and responsibility in addressing Hassan’s behaviour. Despite the teacher’s sincere efforts, the meeting ends without resolution. Hassan, however, continues to pass with good marks and later expresses gratitude to his teacher for her kindness in granting attendance. This reflects both the teacher’s compassion and the irony of Hassan’s continued lack of change, suggesting that intelligence alone cannot guarantee success without discipline and parental guidance.
Passage: But I did not meet Hassan for a long time and forgot all about him. Years passed. I taught many students. Some of them became very good human beings, some became famous, some became rich, and some remained ordinary. As far as I was concerned, they were like my children. Some remember me still and send invitations to weddings, naming ceremonies, housewarmings, etc. If I am in town, I try and attend, because for me their immense love is my strength.
One Monday morning, my secretary told me that a person wanting to sell the latest software for high school teaching wanted to meet me. I was extremely busy, and the piles of unanswered letters were looking at me accusingly. I had no time to talk to a salesperson. So I told her, ‘He can meet someone else. I don’t have time.’
Word meanings:
accusingly (adv): showing that you think somebody has done something wrong. (She was looking accusingly at her husband for his bad deeds.)
concerned: worried
Explanation of the Passage: This passage reflects the passage of time and the emotional bond the narrator, Mrs. Sudha Murthy, shares with her students. Though she forgets about Hassan over the years, her role as a teacher remains significant, with many former students still staying in touch and inviting her to personal events. This shows the deep respect and affection her students feel for her, and she reciprocates that love by attending such occasions when possible. The mention of students becoming famous, rich, or remaining ordinary underscores the diverse paths life takes. On a busy Monday morning, overwhelmed with work, she receives a request from a salesperson seeking to demonstrate new software. Unaware of who it is, she refuses the meeting, highlighting the contrast between her daily responsibilities and the unexpected reappearance of a figure from her past, which sets the stage for an important turning point in the story.
Passage: But my secretary said he was insisting he wanted to meet only me and that he was my student. She knew how fond I was of all my students, so she had not been unable to say ‘no’ to him.
‘In that case, let him see me at 2 p.m.”
In the afternoon, a man of about thirty-five years, plump, with a bald head and moderately dressed was waiting for me in the office. In his hand was the CD with the software. I could not place him though he seemed familiar. He smiled at me and said, ‘Madam, can you recognize me? You may not, because how can you remember all your students? From a window you can see the outside world but from the outside you cannot see all that is inside.’
I liked his analogy and was sure he was my student because I often used this phrase in my class. Still I could not guess who he was.
‘Madam, I was the perpetual latecomer of your class.’
Word meanings:
plump (adj): having a soft round body; slightly fat (a plump woman)
perpetual (adj): continuous (the perpetual noise of traffic)
Explanation of the Passage: Sudha Murthy describes a surprise reunion with a former student who insists on meeting her personally. Though she is initially too busy, her secretary, knowing her deep affection for her students, persuades her to make time. At the scheduled time, a modestly dressed, slightly overweight, bald man in his mid-thirties arrives with a software CD. Though he looks vaguely familiar, Sudha cannot identify him. The man uses a clever metaphor she used in class “from a window you can see the outside world but not the inside” which confirms he was once her student. His final remark, calling himself the “perpetual latecomer,” reveals that he is Hassan, the boy who had long struggled with discipline and regularity in her class. The scene captures the emotional moment of recognition and sets the stage for a deeper reflection on Hassan’s journey.
Passage: That’s when the coin dropped. ‘Hi Hassan, How are you? It’s been a long time since I last met you.’ I was very happy to see him.
‘Madam, I am fine and remember many of your lessons.’
‘Is it Database Management? Or C? Or Pascal?’
‘None of the software Madam, I remember the moral lessons.’
I didn’t know what moral lessons I had taught, though I do tell some stories during my lectures on computer software.
‘Hassan, what are you doing now?’
Now his face became a little pale.
‘Madam, I am selling this software which is useful in teaching Maths, Physics and Chemistry. It is of help to both teachers and students. I know your foundation helps a lot in education at the high school level. I thought it may be of some interest to you.’
‘Hassan, what did you do for so many years?’
I knew all his classmates by this time were in very high positions in the software industry. Hassan being a bright student, should have done well. Yet, on the contrary, he seemed to be doing a small job of selling high school software door-to-door.
Word meanings:
coin dropped: someone has finally understood something, often after a period of confusion or misunderstanding
moral: concerned with what is right and wrong
pale: (used about a person or their face) having skin that is light in colour, often because of fear or illness
Explanation of the Passage: In this passage, the narrator experiences a moment of surprise and recognition when she realises the salesperson is none other than her former student, Hassan. Her joy in seeing him again is genuine, and she affectionately recalls his time in her class. However, she is surprised when Hassan says he remembers not the technical lessons, but the moral teachings she shared, something she did casually but which left a lasting impact. When she inquires about his career, Hassan’s hesitant and pale expression reveals his discomfort and possible embarrassment. The narrator notices the contrast between Hassan’s current modest job selling educational software door-to-door and the successful careers of his former classmates in the software industry. This moment highlights the long-term consequences of Hassan’s earlier lack of discipline, despite his academic brilliance, and subtly reveals the emotional tension in reconnecting with a once-promising student who did not fully realise his potential.
Passage: ‘Madam, you know I was very irregular in college. The same habit continued even after my graduation. I would get up late and was very lazy. My mother would lose her temper and peace of mind. I did not bother. I took her for granted. After a lot of pressure from my parents I took up a job. But I continued with the same habits of going late to office, not keeping appointments and not being responsible. I did not have the proper knowledge also. In college, I hardly studied. Getting a first class in the examination is not an index of the amount of knowledge one has. I would study just before the exams, guess the probable questions, and skip the chapters. I always thought I could somehow make it later. But without proper knowledge it is difficult to work. I always laughed at those people who were hard workers. I used to make fun of them and called them “nerds”. Today those “nerds” have become millionaires. Nobody liked me in my office because of my behaviour. No employer would keep such an employee, and I lost whatever job I took up. In my frustration I started quarrelling at office as well as at home. Finally my father got so fed up that he told me to stay separately. He always gave me a lot of freedom but I never picked up my own good habits. My state today is the result of my own habits.
Word meanings:
nerd (n): a person who is boring, stupid and not fashionable
temper: anger
quarrelling: to have an angry argument or disagreement
Explanation of the Passage: In this emotional confession, Hassan honestly reflects on the consequences of his past actions and bad habits. He admits that his irregularity, laziness, and lack of discipline that began during college continued into his professional life, eventually ruining his career prospects. Despite having achieved a first-class degree, he recognises that good marks in exams alone do not equate to true knowledge or workplace competence. Hassan confesses that he relied on last-minute cramming and shortcuts instead of genuine learning. His disdain for hardworking peers, whom he mockingly called “nerds,” now turns into regret as he watches them become successful while he struggles. His poor attitude and irresponsible behaviour led to strained relationships at work and home, ultimately causing his father to ask him to live separately. This passage highlights the painful truth that intelligence without discipline, humility, and hard work can lead to personal and professional failure.
Passage: I felt sorry for Hassan, who with all his intelligence and good nature, could not make it.
‘Hassan, you knew your faults, you could have improved and made a better life for yourself. There is always a start at any age. Don’t get disappointed. You may have lost a battle but you can still win the war.’
‘Madam, old habits die hard.’
‘But Hassan it is possible to change your habits. There is nothing which is impossible. You only require will power. You are yourself not aware of all your potential. Please remember when elders say something they do so because they want you to lead a better life than them. Excellence does not come by accident but by practice.’
I could see a twinkle in his eyes. I thought I saw a glimpse of the young bright Hassan. ‘I will try my best, Madam,’ he promised, as he rose to leave.
I have not met Hassan since that day. I hope to bump into him unexpectedly once again, and this time find him happy and successful.
Word meanings:
bump into:- to meet somebody by chance
glimpse (n): a look, or see something or somebody for a very short time (He caught a glimpse of her in the crowd.)
Explanation of the Passage:In the final paragraph of the story, the teacher shows sympathy and concern for Hassan despite those habits that had led him to squander the opportunities that should have enriched his life. She encourages him not to give up. She says it is never too late to make a change. She tells him that excellence comes through effort and discipline, and that older people make suggestions from sincerity, care, and most importantly, experience. Hassan listens quietly, and for a moment, the teacher sees a flash of the Hassan who used to be—she saw a flash of a brilliant student who had not become bitter and who had potential. After promising to do his best, Hassan leaves. The story ends on an uplifting and redemptive note with the teacher wishing to one day meet Hassan again and see him transformed.
Conclusion
This post provides summary, word meanings, lesson explanation of PSEB Class 12 English A Rainbow in English book’s Chapter 1 – Hassan’s Attendance Problem. Students can prepare the lesson by getting the gist and get a quick grasp on the lesson.