Media Release
Chicago, March 30: District 1-A, Mother District of Lionism held its District Convention at the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel in Northbrook this weekend. There were more than 500 attendees from all over Chicagoland for three days events. International Director Beverly Stebbins from Arlington, Texas was the International guest for this event.
Beverly Stebbins congratulating Austin Prabhu after awarding International President's Medal.
First Plenary Session started on Friday with Hospitality Rooms. Saturday morning there were three seminars - one on MERLOW team, second one was on Lions Open University and third one was on Are You Smarter Than PDG? District 1-A Leadership Chairmperson Austin Prabhu held Lions Open University session and proved his case by saying, "Nothing is impossible in life!" He showed the video of Cara Dunn - a visually impaired woman who lost her eyesight when she was a toddler and nothing stopped her ever since. She took part in bicycle racing, skiing and became the first visually impaired lawyer from University of California, Los Angeles. She took part in several Special Olympics and won silver and gold medals. Attendees were touched with her video and many wept!
During luncheon there were Melvin Jones Fellow presentations by International Guest Director Beverly Stebbins. Austin Prabhu was awarded with Seven Diamond Progressive Melvin Jones Award and praised for his dedication and hard work in promoting lionism in District 1-A. He is the one who started Lions Open University in Chicago in 2004. This concept of training leaders have been spread all over the US now. He was also instrumental in initiating a program - Vision First to provide eyeglasses to needy school children in Chicagoland. This program was also started in 2004 when Austin Prabhu was the District Governor of Mother District of Lionism in Chicago and ever since more than 40,000 school children were provided with free eye exam and eyeglasses.
In the evening District 1-A lions celebrated District Banquet where Beverly Stebbins gave a key note speech. She praised District 1-A where lionism took place 93 years ago. She said that this district produced many great leaders and also many new programs to help the needy people in their communities. After her speech she recognized some District Leaders. Austin Prabhu was awarded with International President's Medal by International President Al Brandel from New York in honor of his exemplary performance during Lions Clubs International's Sight First II program as one of 185 Sector Coordinators worldwide which produced more than $200 million in three years of its campaign.
Austin Prabhu receiving Seven Diamond Progressive Melvin Jones Award from Beverly Stebbins. Next to him is District Governor Bob Zavorka
On Sunday, March 29 District Convention concluded and Ray Jachim got elected as the District Governor for 2009-2010 for District 1-A. Governor Elect Ray Jachim appointed Austin Prabhu as his District Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer for District 1-A.
Comment on this article
Ln. Alwyn Saldanha Dist 323-A3, Bajpe / Mumbai
Tue, Mar 31 2009Congratulations Lion Austin on receiving Seven Diamond Progressive Melvin Jones Award & International President's Medal. Keep up the good job. wish you all the best in your future endeavours. May God bless you.
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H M Pernal, Mangalore
Tue, Mar 31 2009Congratulations Dr. Austin D'Souza Prabhu. We salute your determination and hard work. I pray to God to bless you and your family with health and prosperity.
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Wilson Kalakar, Kulshekar/ Israel
Tue, Mar 31 2009Dear Austin, Congratulations and best wishes for securing the Seven Diamond Progressive Melvin Jones Award and International President's Medal. Wish you All the best in your future endeavors!!!
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Paul D Souza, Mangalore/Sharjah
Tue, Mar 31 2009Congratulaions Dear Austin Prabhu for the Int'l President's Award.May have many more all the best for future.May God Bless you and your family. - Paul D Souza
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Kiran Vas, Kulshekar
Tue, Mar 31 2009Congratulation !!!! Mr Austin... wishing u all the best in ur endeavours...
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Lawrence Mascarenhas, USA
Tue, Mar 31 2009Dear Austin, Congratulations on achieving the Seven Diamond Progressive Melvin Jones Award. We are specially proud of you because you are one among us. We wish you all the best in your mission to uplift the poor and downtrodden. Medals or no medals, you are always a honorable man. President & Members MKCA/USA
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Gerry D'Mello & family, Bendur / Canada
Tue, Mar 31 2009Dear Austin, hearty congrats! For your achievements sky is only the limit! Whatever you have achieved in life is nothing but the fruits of your commitment, hard work and sincerity. Great going Austin, keep it up, we are proud of you!
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Ronald Mathias, Mangalore / Bahrain
Tue, Mar 31 2009Dr. Austin D'Souza Prabhu..Congratulatiuons...you are GREAT. (Ronald Mathias (president Catholic Action League - CAL yr.1990-1992) Bendur Parish Mangalore
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Lancy Pinto Nayak, Kulshekar /Kuwait
Tue, Mar 31 2009Dear Austin Baab, Congratulations , Keep up your good work. We are also proud of your achievements in Konkani Art and Culture. Your support for our MAMA MARINAKA Drama we are not forgotten. God Bless you and grant good health and long life happiness. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours. MAMA MARINAKA TEAM, KUWAIT Marinaka Team.
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selma dsouza, mangalore
Mon, Mar 30 2009dear Austin,congratulations on you being conferred the prestigious award.looking forward for many more awards to follow.we are really proud of you.
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Thomas D'Mello, Kundapura
Mon, Mar 30 2009Dear Austin, congratulations from all at Kundapura. As a District President of Catholic Sabha you have done wonders in Mangalore. Now, You are continuing the task as a LION in USA. Keep up the good work. The D'LImas and all the D'Mellos join me to wish you.
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Ln Tony D'Cruz, Belman/Kuwait
Mon, Mar 30 2009Abhinandan!! Congratulations Dr Austin bab on receiving Seven Diamond Progressive Melvin Jones Award & Int'l President's Medal. We are proud of You.
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MJF LN FAMIDA IBRAHIM, MANGALORE
Mon, Mar 30 2009congrats LN austine on getting the international presidents award ! may god bless u more and more to serve the community. im proud of you.
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FLORA , KALMADY-JERIMERI(MUMBAI)
Mon, Mar 30 2009Hearty Congratulations dear Lion Austin Prabhu. Delighted to note your extra ordinary achievement. You are a great MANGALOREAN personality blessed with wonderful qualities!!! May Almighty God give you more strength and knowledge to continue your service and all the success in the years to come and may you always shine in whatever you do.
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joegonsalves, U.S.A. Mangalore
Mon, Mar 30 2009It is once again Austin. Indeed he is praising others for their achievements. What about Austin himself? His too is a success story. All along his diction and choice of words have helped him to climb up every rung of the ladder. I have know this young man from the time he was a peoples' man in Mangalore. I recall his astounding speech at the public maidan where he kept the audience spellbound. Kudos to you Austin. Do keep up your good work and may do even better in future Joe Gonsalves
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Cyril and Judith Pereira, Abu Dhabi
Mon, Mar 30 2009Dear Austin, Congratulations. Happy to read about your achievements. Wish you many more awards. Warm regards.
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Donald Roche, Mangalore/Rosario Parish
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratulations!!! Dear Lion Austin Prabhu on being conferred with the International Presidents Award for your excellent service and achievement. Best wishes from Delson Roche.
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Santhosh Colaco, Perth
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congrats and this endeavour should reach the shores of Perth.
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Lion Ronald Gomes, Lions Dist.324 D5 (Mangalore)
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratulations Lion Austin on receiving Seven Diamond Progressive Melvin Jones Award & International President's Medal. Keep up the good job. God Bless you
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Michael, Saudi Arabia
Mon, Mar 30 2009Jai Ho, Mr. Prabhu, who deserves the lion's share of praise for his achievement.
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Oswald M. D'Souza, Bendore/Abu Dhabi
Mon, Mar 30 2009Dear Austin, Congratulations and best wishes for securing the Seven Diamond Progressive Melvin Jones Award and International President's Medal and also for your appointment as the District Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer for District 1-A.
We do not have to highlight your achievements since your early days in Mangalore and in the US, as the whole Mangalorean Community as well as the world knows what you have given to the society through your hard work and leadership capabilities. You are the pride of Mangalore. We wish and pray that the Almighty may give you good health and strength to carry on with your selfless service to the society.
With best wishes
Ozy, Blanche, Brian and Colin Abu Dhabi
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Dr Eugene D'Souza, Moodubelle/Dombivli
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratulations to Lion Austin Prabhu on being conferred with the International President's Award for his excellent service and achievement.
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Joseph Fernandes, Mangalore/Qatar
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratulations Mr. Austin Prabhu, Wish you all the best.
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Mark Denis D'souza, Niddodi/Sharjah,U.A.E.
Mon, Mar 30 2009Dear Austin,nice to read about you and your achievements, keep it up and make to governer of Chicago one day,wish and pray for your endeavors. Mark Denis D'souza
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CGS, Mangalore
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congrats and Best wishes to you Dear Austin D'Souza Prabhu.You are a born leader with multiple talents.I am extremely happy to note the Kala Sampat flag flying so high in the skies of Chicago!
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Manohar Dsouza, Mangalore/Bahrain
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratulations and good luck. We are proud of you. Best wishes from Manohar D’Souza and family.
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Hemacharya, Dubai
Mon, Mar 30 2009I may have to recall my comments in one of my books, where the title of my column read: "A great loss to our community upon Austin's departure to the US". He has proved me and others wrong. Probably we were short sighted who failed to foresee a bigger perspective during those days. But he on the other hand was destined to go places and was empowered to belong to a greater – International - community.
Indeed, Austin has made us proud and when we read about his achievements we feel great to realize that once upon a time we rubbed shoulders with him. He is a born leader and socialist at heart. It is sheer hard work and simple lifestyle that has lifted him to this high. We look forward to greater milestones in his life which will surely have a bearing on our lives too.
Being a supporter of Daiji Movement and as an active member of Daiji Foundation, he has played his role to the tilt. The recently concluded Daiji Drama Competition is one such instance, where our old time friends felt his absence although many of them were unaware that it was he was behind in rejuvenating the memories of drama competitions held by both Konkani Natak Sabha and Kala Sampath.
As Daiji celebrates its 10th anniversary we all members of Daiji family salute him for his sacrifices and pray to the GOOD LORD to grant him good health all his life. Hemacharya On behalf of members of Daiji Foundation
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Carol Martis, Kuwait
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratulations Bab Austin for the Int'l President's Award. You are a great konkani leader. All the best for future.
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Irene Sequeira, Derebail/Kuwait
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratulations Mr. Austin Prabhu. May you have many more.
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Richard D Souza, Mangalore/ Abu Dhabi
Mon, Mar 30 2009Dear Austin, Congratulations, Keep up you goog work with warm regards Richard D Souza
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Letitia D Souza & Fly., Mangalore/Canada
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratualtions Mr. Austin Prabhu on receiving International President's Award. We are very proud of you and wish you all the best in your future endeavours. May God bless you & your family.
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Reena Fernandes, Mangalore/dubai
Mon, Mar 30 2009congradulation Mr Austin. great achievement.
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ALBERT PERIS, Kulshekar
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratulations ...Austin for getting International President's Award. from Albert Peris SANGEETH GHAR
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L N Rego, Bendur
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratulations Austin we know you are a true leader. Your determination and restless work ethics have taken to the level where you are today.May all your aspirations may come true and your life be an example to many specially those who are Mangaloreans but forget their roots and live as foreigners even when they are here. Keep up the good work and keep going.
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George & Jacinta Borromeo, Angelore, Mangalore
Sun, Mar 29 2009Brother Austin Congratulations for getting International President's Award and being offered Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer of A-1 District.Great achievement! and we are proud of you.Sky is the limit dear Austin, climb high and high.We wish you, Terry and your offsprings Anita, Anil,Atina and Angel all the best.
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Vincent Mascarenhas, Moodbidri
Mon, Mar 30 2009Congratulations Mr.Prabhu.
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