Identity: Children's Writer and Translator

Syed Ghulam Haider was born on 1 January 1937 in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, into a scholarly and religious family. He received his early education at Madrasa Mansabia in Meerut and later completed his matriculation from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and an M.A. in Economics from Aligarh Muslim University. He served as a Research Officer in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, and took voluntary retirement in 1988 to devote himself entirely to literary pursuits.

Ghulam Haider is regarded as one of the leading writers of Urdu children's literature. He began writing for children in the 1960s, and his first book, Paise Ki Kahani (The Story of Money), was published in 1973. He authored more than seventeen books for children and also produced several works and translations on literary, educational, and historical subjects.

He adopted a planned and research-oriented approach to children's literature. Themes such as civilization, social and economic development, science, history, and the freedom movement were presented in an engaging manner suited to young readers. His notable works include Paise Ki Kahani, Khat Ki Kahani, Bank Ki Kahani, Akhbar Ki Kahani, Azadi Ki Kahani, Ghar Se Jhonpadi Tak, Pagdandi: Jangal Se Khet Tak, Ped Ped Mera Dana De, Aakhiri Chori, Jamia Ki Kahani Jamia Walon Ki Zubani, Meri Do Darsgahein, Ro Mein Hai Rakhsh-e-Umar, and his autobiography Apni Duniya Aap Paida Kar.

In 1984, he founded the Bachchon Ka Adabi Trust (Children's Literary Trust) to promote children's literature. Through this organization, quality books were published and seminars, workshops, and literary activities were organized. The Trust also played a significant role in publishing and translating children's books into Urdu.

In 2010, the Sahitya Akademi honored his story collection Aakhiri Chori with its Children's Literature Award. He became the first Urdu writer to receive this prestigious recognition for children's literature. He also received several other honors, including awards from the Urdu Academy Delhi, Haryana Urdu Academy, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Writers and Illustrators (2012), and the Fakhr-e-Amroha Award (2014).

Proficient in Urdu, English, Hindi, and Persian, Ghulam Haider is known for his simple, engaging, and informative style. Through his writings, he fosters curiosity, a love of reading, moral awareness, and a realistic outlook among young readers. His contributions to children's literature are widely regarded as institution-building and of lasting significance.