PARADE, MARCHERS WITH BANNERS; BANDA ARRIVING FOR PRESENTATION; PARADE.




Initials DHC/V/RM/PC



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Background: PRESIDENT KAMUZU BANDA OF MALAWI INAUGURATED THE NATION'S FIRST NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK EARLY THIS MONTH. THE WEEK WAS PLANNED AS A SHOWCASE FOR THE ACTIVITIES OF MALAWI'S YOUTH, WHO ARE THE SPEARHEAD FOR DR. BANDA'S DRIVE FOR NATION-WIDE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.

IN HIS INAUGURATED SPEECH PRESIDENT BANDA DENOUNCED THE MORALS AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF WESTERN YOUTH. PRESIDENT BANDA, WHO RECENTLY BANNED MINI-SKIRTS, TOLD A YOUTH WEEK RALLY THAT THE YOUTH OF THE WEST WAS BEING RAISED THE WORKING WAY.

PRESIDENT BANDA SAID MATERIALLY AND SCIENTIFICALLY EUROPE WAS VERY ADVANCED, BUT "MORALLY AND SPIRITUALLY I AM NOT SO SURE".

LATER DR. BANDA SAID NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK WOULD BE HELD IN THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL EVERY YEAR T COMMEMORATE HIS RELEASE FROM A COLONIAL PRISON ON 12 APRIL, 1960.

DR. BANDA TOURED THE COUNTRY DURING THE WEEK. HE OPENED THE CELEBRATIONS IN ZOMBA, AND WATCHED PARADES IN BLANTYRE, THE CAPITAL, AND LISANOWA.

IN LISANDWA YOUNG PEOPLE MARCHED CARRYING BANNERS BEFORE THE PRESIDENT. THEY PRESENTED DR. BANDA WITH GIFTS, MANY OF THEM THE FRUITS OF RECENT AGRICULTURAL SUCCESSES.