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Taj in the race for `New Seven Wonders'

Photo: PTI

SCALING NEW HEIGHTS: Founder of New 7 Wonders Foundation, Bernard Weber, poses with folk dancers at Taj Mahal in Agra on Tuesday after the monument has been shortlisted as one of the `new 7 wonders'.

Agra: Taj Mahal, India's most famous architectural wonder, on Tuesday joined the race to be named one of the ``New Seven Wonders of the World''.

``Taj Mahal symbolises India. It is a beautiful monument representing love and passion. Love that we need for humanity, that we respect each other and passion that gives a sense to our lives. That is why it has been included in the list of 21 finalists across the world,'' Bernard Weber, founder of a Switzerland-based firm `New 7 Wonders' which is behind the contest, said here.

The aim of the contest is to revive the concept of the ancient seven wonders of the world by ``democratically selecting and declaring the New Seven Wonders of the World'', Mr. Weber said as he handed over the official candidacy certificate to the Agra Tourism's Joint Director, D. K. Burman, near the over 350-year-old monument on the banks of the Yamuna here.

Asserting that the Taj has greater chances to be one of the new wonders, Mr. Weber said: ``The New Seven Wonders of the World will be chosen on the number of votes received around the globe -- people of India, let your voices be heard in this global vote.''

Millions of people have voted for their favourite ``wonder'' through internet, television and SMSs, he said.

This journey would reach its pinnacle on July 7 next year when at an event in Lisbon in Portugal, the world will discover which monuments have been named as the New Wonders, Weber said adding votes can be submitted until July 6.

The Taj is presently in top seven of nominated wonders with more than 17 million votes already cast.

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