Urdu humorist. From the numerical count of his essays in Patras ke Mazamin it is almost impossible to fathom the depth of the multi-faceted personality of Prof Bukhari. More than a humorist, as he is commonly known, he was an inspiring educationalist, intrepid journalist, insightful critic, an imaginative translator, stern administrator, an able broadcaster, and a seasoned diplomat. When All India Radio was founded in 1937, Patras became its Assistant Controller and later Controller General in 1940 where he injected a freshness of approach into its programmes. He returned to Government College, Lahore as its Principal in 1947. Prof Patras diplomatic career started in 1949 when he accompanied Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan on his historic visit to the USA and earned recognition for his services rendered as spokesman of Pakistan. He was appointed Pakistan's permanent representative at the UN in 1950. Later on he became the first Asian to be appointed deputy secretary general of communication at the U.N (1954). In the corridors of the UN Headquarters, he was an amiable person dear to his staff, colleagues and newsmen. Patras Bukhari authored many books and also translated many books from English masterpieces into Urdu - a translator par excellence with his enormous command on different languages including Urdu, English, French, and Persian. Ahmad Shah Bukhari was born in Peshawar, and hailed from a religious noble family. His fine intonation in speech, wide reading and a quest for learning had earned him fame while he was still at school. Later on, he was educated at Lahore and Cambridge that facilitated the blossoming of his intellect. Patras Bukhari died of a heart problem in New York. E M Foster once said about him, 'many can shine in the universe but only few can shine from the darkest of eclipses, and Bukhari is one of them.' Patras as Ahmad Shah Bukhari was popularly known was conferred the Hilal-I-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan, in 2003, 45 years after he died - the recognition of which was long due.