Staff Report
KARACHI: An influential Urdu novelist and short story writer, an academic, and a journalist Qurrat-ul-Ain Haider is being remembered on his death anniversary today (Tuesday).

Qurrat-ul-Ain Haider was born on January 20, 1926 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. She was an Urdu novelist and short story writer, an academic, and a journalist. She is one of the most outstanding literary names in Urdu literature Popularly known as "Ainee Apa".

A prolific writer she began to write at the young age of 11. Her literary works include some 12 novels and novellas and four collections of short stories. Haider has also done a significant amount of translation of classics. Her own works have been translated into English and other languages.

Her first short story, Bi-Chuhiya (Little Miss Mouse), was published in children’s magazine Phool and at the age of nineteen wrote her first novel “Mere Bhee Sanam Khanay".

She won Sahitya Akamedi Award for her collection of short stories Patjharki Awaz (The Sound of Falling Leaves) in 1968.

Her works include, Aag Ka Duriya, Mere Bhi Sanam Khane, Safina-e-Gham-e-Dil, Patjharki Awaz (The Voice of Autumn), Raushniki Raftar (The Speed of Light), Chayeke Bagh (Tea Plantations), Dilruba, Sita Haran, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Na Kijo and the family chronicle Kar e JahanDarazHai (The Work of the World Goes On).

She received the Jnanpith Award in 1989 for her novel Aakhir-e-ShabkeHamsafar (Travellers Unto the Night). She received the Sahitya Akademi Award, in 1967, Soviet Land Nehru Award, 1969, Ghalib Award, 1985.

She was conferred Padma Shri by the Government of India for her outstanding contribution to Urdu literature, and in 2005 she was conferred the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India, for her contribution to Urdu Literature and Education.

Qurratulain Haider died in a NOIDA hospital, near New Delhi, India on August 21, 2007. SAMAA