Mangalore: ‘VOZRAM’ book by Dr Austin D’Souza Prabhu to be released on Dec 29
Media Release
Mangalore, Dec 25: ‘VOZRAM’ a collection of Konkani short poems (Chutuks) by Dr. Austin D’Souza Prabhu, Chicago, USA and brought out by Mariads Prakashan, Mangalore will be released on Dec 29, 2009 in Mangalore. Vateran Konkani Leader of Mumbai Albert W. D’Souza, M.D. of Printania Offset Pvt. Ltd., Chairman of St. John – Engineering, Management and Pharmacy Colleges, and Chairman of Model Co-op. Bank, Mumbai will release the book. ‘Vishwa Konkani Sardar’ Basti Vaman Shenoy, President, Konkani Bhas ani Samskruti Pratistan, Mangalore will preside over the function.
During 1970’s Austin published three Konkani periodicals ‘Mithr’ Weekly, ‘Jhelo’ Fortnightly and ‘Kannnik’ Monthly simultaneously. He was the Mangalore Diocesan (undivided DK and Kasargod Taluk) President of Catholic Youth Movement (CYM) for 6 years, Founder Secretary for Konkani Bhasha Mandal ® Karnataka for 7 years, Joint Secretary of All India Konkani Sahitya Parishat held in Mangalore in 1976, Secretary for Konkani Natak Sabha, Mangalore for 6½ years. He was the General Secretary of Yuva Janata Party in Mangalore in 1977.
In September, 1981 Austin migrated to U.S.A. and lives ever since in Chicago. Besides M.B.A., he has a Ph.D. in Business Management, Six Sigma Green Belt and Lean Manufacturing Certificates from Northern Illinois University. He is working for Deltrol Fluid Products – an engineering firm as Manager
Austin organized Broadview Kala Sampath Lions Club, USA; Kala Sampath Cultural Association, Chicago; Mangalorean Konkan Christian Association, USA. Austin was the Secretary of Federation of Indian Associations in Mid-America, Director of Republic of India - International, Advisor of International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England. His biography is published in several national & international magazines and websites.
Austin received ‘Millennium Leadership Award’ from Federation of Indian Associations (2000), “Asian American Hall of Fame” award (2003) special award for literary contributions in Dubai(2004) and Chicago Mayor’s Award (2005) for his project – “Vision First” – which in five years of span provided more than 55,000 pairs of eyeglasses to Chicago Public School System students. This project is holding two week long eye clinics in Chicago and helps the needy students to have free eye exam and eyeglasses on the spot. Austin’s family received “Asian American Humanitarian Family of the Year 2005” Award from Asia TV Chronicle. He is also a Certified Public Service TV Program Producer by Comcast Public Television. Received “Life Time Community Service Award” from the President of the United States, George Bush in 2007. In 2009 Austin and his wife Terry were bestowed with “Chicago’s Prestigious Couple” award.
Austin was the first ever of Indian origin “District Governor” of Mother District of Lionism 1-A, Chicagoland in 2004. He is also a certified Faculty Development Instructor for Lions Clubs International. He organized and presented numerous presentations to Industries, Lions Clubs, Districts, Multiple Districts, USA/Canada Leadership Forum and for International Conventions
Austin has written several stage plays, radio plays for AIR when he was in Mangalore. He has 5 books in Konkani to his credit. His new book ‘Vozram’ is a collection of 3500 small poems (limerics) with rich vocabulary full of ‘Navarasas’ and wisdom.