Although numbering just around one lakh worldwide, the bawa community has proven itself as a force to reckon with
l_shanaya@dnaindia.net
Although numbering just around one lakh worldwide, the bawa community has proven itself as a force to reckon with. Having spread to almost every corner of the world, the global clan has devised ingenious ways to stay in touch. Ushtatebook—an online community was formed just to do so. The iconic imagery of the Persepolis splashed across the website makes for a quirky backdrop that even the most non-zealous of Zoroastrians could not resist.
It all started back in 1984, when Leena Lakdawala and Aurelio Useche met in high school. Inseparable, the two soon got married and currently reside in Montreal, Canada with their three children. “The idea,” says Leena (age 40, who is currently a business owner and manager of indoor air quality equipment manufacturing firm), “came about in November last year from personal investments in other social networking sites. We wanted to create a site for all Zoroastrians around the world. We felt that Ushtatebook would help shorten the physical distance between the community members.”
Several years ago, the couple attended a conference conducted by religious speaker Khojeste Mistree, in which, he spoke of the meaning of the word Ushta in the prayers and of the expression Ushta-Te, which means ‘wishing you well.’ “We looked at several other names,” says Aurelio (age 40, who co-owns and manages the business with his wife), “but none expressed the true sentiment and purpose of the site as Ushtatebook (Wishing you well book).”
The response has been very positive to date—the community has over 1,700 active members and over 12,000 outstanding invitations. “We have received several letters and emails, thanking us for the site, and this has been more than enough to make it all worth the effort,” insists the couple. The site is structured on a ‘by invitation only’ basis. The couple believes that this will enable every member to contribute by inviting close friends and families from the community.
The couple is considering several alternatives to get people to bond at a deeper level, but for the time being, getting the community to connect through Ushtatebook is their top priority.
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