A three-year-long grand programme to celebrate 400 years of dhaka as a capital was declared open on friday at south plaza of jatiya sangsad bhaban by chief adviser fakhruddin ahmed. fireworks show and releasing of around 400 balloons from the audience marked the colourful opening of the programme organised by the cultural ministry. a number of non-government organisations have also arranged several programmes including processions with horses and elephants, kawali concert, dances, discussions, poetry recitals and traditional comic arts. there will be 'dhakaiya' food festival, boat race, kite festival and display of dhaka's world famous muslin and jamdani. special arrangements have also been made to put up shows at historical places and heritage sites.

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain / Shawkat Jamil