Street in Illinois to be named after Mangalurean

A street in Illinois in the US will be named after Mangalurean Austin D'Souza Prabhu.

Mayor of Forest Park, Illinois, US, has passed a resolution to name Dunlop Avenue from Harrison Street to York after philanthropist Austin, considering his social services.

Austin is currently settled in Illinois. He was born and raised in Mangaluru and later migrated to the US. He has been living there for the last 37 years.

Austin had recently won the 'International Konkani Icon' award during a programme in Kallianpur near Udupi. He received an award from the President of India in December 2009 in Mangalore for promoting Konkani culture and literary contributions through his books and articles in the US. He was named in the Asian American Hall of Fame in 2003 for Community Service. Lion Austin's family received the Asian American Humanitarian Family of the Year 2005 Award from Asia TV Chronicle, to name a few of the recognitions he has received.

Twice he was the governor of District 1-A and Council vice chairman of MD1 for 2004-2005 and 2012-2013. He initiated 5 new clubs in 2004-5 and one new club in 2012-2013, He started district 1A signature programmes like Lions Open University in Chicago, VisionFirst programme in District 1A with the help of Lion Ron Johnson from Beverley Ridge. He ensured donation of more than 80,000 pairs of eyeglasses to needy students in Chicago with the help of Lens Crafters Luxotica and collection of $48,000 for Tsunami Relief Fund in District 1A with great success.