Dhaka  - Authorities in Bangladesh launched Friday a three- year-long celebration of 400 years of Dhaka, historically recognised as the country's capital since 1608, calling for measures to make the life in the crowded city of 12 million more liveable.

"A meaningful scheme is urgently needed ... as rapid population growth and unplanned urbanisation have hampered the pace and liveliness of our beloved city," the chief of the military-backed government, Fakhruddin Ahmed, said inaugurating the celebration programme at the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad [national parliament] premises.

Fakhruddin released four pigeons and 400 paper balloons into the sky and inaugurated four postage stamps marking the occasion.

A series of cultural and social events have been organized to mark the occasion, to run until 2010.

"The city must be kept lively, green and clean. It has to be built as an exquisite city," Fakhruddin said, urging all concerned to work together to make a modern metropolis with modern amenities. (dpa)