Bano Qudsia (right) and the Google doodle.

Jabeen Adil, Gulf Today

Google has paid homage to Bano Qudsia, one of Pakistan’s best-known novelist and playwrights, on the occasion of her birthday through a doodle.

Born on November 28, 1928, in Firozpur, British India, she had begun writing short stories while she was in class 5. She graduated from FA Islamia College Lahore and BA Kniard College. She passed the graduation examination in 1949 and had migrated to Pakistan at that time with her family.

Banu Qudsia enrolled in Government College Lahore for her MA in Urdu where her soon-to-be husband, Ashfaq Ahmed, was her classmate. They got married in December 1956.

 The Google doodle on the writer.

She wrote novels, plays and short stories in Urdu. Qudsia is best recognised for her famous novel “Raja Gidh.” She has also written many television and stage dramas. Her play “Aadhi baat,” has been called a classic play.

Banu Qudsia has been paid a tribute by Google Doodle today in view of her services on the occasion of her birthday.

In recognition of her literary services, the government of Pakistan awarded her Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) in1983, and Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) in 2010.

She has also been awarded several national and international awards. The shining star of literature died at the age of 88 on February 4, 2017, after a long illness.