Eminent poets, cultural personalities and politicians spoke lovingly about the late Mahbubul Haque Shakil, who was the Prime Minister’s special assistant (media), yesterday. The occasion was unveiling of his last book of poetry, ‘Jol-e Khuji Dhatob Mudra’ (‘Looking for Coins in Water’), at the Ekushey Book Fair at the Bangla Academy premises in the city.  
An informal discussion on Shakil's third poetry book took place at the Shamsur Rahman Seminar Hall at the Bangla Academy.
The book, published by Annesha Publications, has 84 unpublished poems of Shakil. Dr Syed Manjurul Islam, Professor of the English department of Dhaka University, has written a prologue titled ‘Purbokotha’. Ekushey award winner poet Helal Hafiz, poet Habibullah Siraji, actor-director Pijush Bandyopadhyay, poet Farid Kabir, president of the standing committee on foreign affairs, Dr Dipu Moni, the writer’s wife Advocate Nilufar Yasmin, daughter Rubaba Yasmin, publisher Shahadat Hossain, fans, friends of the writer and others were present.
While addressing the programme, Dipu Moni said: “Some authors are experts in writing poems, some experts in writing short stories. But Shakil was an expert in all fields of literature. Shakil penned poems, short stories, he even wrote some very good articles. Shakil was at the centre of power, but never misused it. He always served the deprived sections of society.”