The countdown to the birth centenary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman began on Friday through a gala opening ceremony.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and former Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi are expected to visit Dhaka next year to attend the birth centenary celebrations of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.