Bangladesh, March 26 -- Bangladesh is set to observe this year's Independence and National Day on Thursday with a range of ceremonial and cultural programmes across the country.

The day marks the formal beginning of the armed struggle for the nation's liberation on the night of March 25, 1971, and is celebrated on March 26 in remembrance of the sacrifices made during the Liberation War.

Following nine months of struggle, in which three million lives were lost and 200,000 women were subjected to atrocities, Bangladesh achieved independence on December 16, 1971. The day is a public holiday.

The government has planned extensive programmes at the national and local levels to mark the occasion. The celebrations will begin with a 31-gun sal...