Wonder Out of this World

Each year, thousands come to India just to have a look at the Taj Mahal. A paragon of the Indo-Islamic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it also made it to the New Seven Wonders of the World today, in 2007.

The diadem; Image Source: Public Domain

On 7/7/7, the world waited with bated breath. Even though it was a competition between history and heritage from around the world, there were no losers or winners. This was the poll of the selection of the New Seven Wonders of the world- a common human heritage.

The race began with 200 monuments that were eventually narrowed down to 21 candidates. Interestingly, this entire process was the brainchild of the New 7 Wonders Foundation, an organisation that relied entirely on private investments.

They also tried to form a partnership with the United Nations to promote the  UN's Millennium Development Goals but UNESCO denied any association with them.

In a way, all of this was happening without the scaffolding of any recognised international organisation but there is no greater legitimacy than the emotional investment of the people. The poll took place and members of royal families and high-profile celebrities all started campaigning for their country's monuments.

The Taj Mahal, love set in stone, a piece of heritage that is poetry written in marble was a part of the final 21. Needless to say, Indians were set on the path to get it into the Seven Wonders list.

In the month of July, all channels of communication from news channels to radio were motivating people to participate in the poll. When the results came out, the entire nation went into a cheer. Taj, the country’s pride was now a piece of joy that could be shared with the world.

In the largest poll on record, as claimed by the New 7 Wonders Foundation, much love was ushered on Taj and Indian heritage. While many pointed out that a single person could vote multiple times, making the claim questionable, the results were accepted by almost everyone.

The world got its new wonders and amidst places like the Chichen Itza, Petra, and Colosseum, stood the Taj- an exquisite ode to undying love.