E-Paper
New seven wonders: Taj in contention
This initiative was launched in 2000 by the Swiss film producer Bernard Weber, reports Vijay Dutt.
The Taj Mahal is among the 21 contenders shortlisted for the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The New Seven Wonders initiative was launched in 2000 by the Swiss film producer Bernard Weber.
More than 19 million voters worldwide nominated hundreds of sites they consider worthy rivals to the seven wonders of the ancient world named by Antipater of Sidon and Philon of Byzantium in 200 BC. Of that selection only the Pyramids of Giza — which also made the list — remain.
The shortlist was drawn up from the 77 most popular sites by a seven-member panel chaired by the former Unesco secretary general Federico Mayor, and including leading international architects.
Half of the funds raised by the project will be used for restorations, mainly of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan, destroyed by the Taliban four years ago.
The winners will be announced on New Year's Day, 2007.
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Beauties all
The 21 sites vying to be a wonder of the world are:
Taj Mahal, India
Acropolis, Greece;
Alhambra, Spain
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Christ Redeemer, Brazil
Colosseum, Rome
The statues of Easter Island
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Great Wall, China
Hagia Sophia, Turkey
Kiyomizu Temple, Japan
Kremlin, Moscow
Machu Picchu, Peru
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Petra, Jordan
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Statue of Liberty, New York
Stonehenge, Britain
Sydney Opera House, Australia
Timbuktu, Mali.
