THE Urdu Department of Government College University (GCU) Lahore on Monday hosted a Patras-Faiz Seminar to mark the death anniversary of Prof. Ahmed Shah Bokhari ‘Patras’, a great writer, translator, teacher, broadcaster and finally a diplomat at the highest level of the United Nations, and to pay tribute to Fiaz Ahmad Fiaz, a noted poet and student of Prof. Ahmed Shah Bokhari ‘Patras’.
GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq was the chief guest at the seminar which was also addressed by Faiz’ grandson Ali Madeeh Hashmi, Faiz’ daughter Muneeza Hashmi, Patras’ son Haroon Bokhari, noted critic Dr. Saadat Saeed and GCU Urdu Department Chairperson Dr. Shafeeq Aajmi.
Addressing the seminar, Prof. Khaleeq said the GC University was proud of being the alma mater of great poets and men of letters like Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Prof. Ahmed Shah Bokhari ‘Patras’ and Faiz Ahmed Faiz and will keep its traditions alive. He said the literary works of these great men were like lampposts which guided them to peace and progress.
Speaking on the occasion, Ali Madeeh Hashmi described that Prof. Ahmed Shah Bokhari ‘Patras’ was merciless on students who did not display originality of thought. One former student, author Kanhaiya Lal Kapoor, writes in an essay: “In my first exam, I wrote several quotes from famous critics and writers. Mr. Bokhari gave me a zero and wrote ‘you have written verbatim quotes in several places from FL Lucas and Professor Quiller-Couch. They were my teachers in Cambridge and obviously I am not qualified to be their examiner. I am examining you.’”