[deep_agrawal]

Well, I did vote too... And alongwith it other wonders like great wall. This is purely because on the one visit to TAJ i found it breathtakingly beautiful. I didn't want to prove my indian-ness(pardon me if such a word doesn't exist) to anyone. But this whole thing about voting for TAJ just because its Indian is preposterous. Indeed, the media has become so strong these days that even an UNOFFICIAL poll like this is hogging the headlines. (Well, it should obviously - headlines are by the media themselves).

In fact, this point raises questions about another debate: Should we or should we Not vote in the elections?

[CrazyFreak]

Originally Posted by fandoo

It is a better idea to have a group comprising of good architects and historians from the world and let them decide based on their findings and the votes polled.

Anyway if the selection is through votes let it be that way. If TAJ is selected India can certainly be proud.....

There already is an official body like that. It's the UNESCO's World Heritage Division. The heritage/cultural ministries of different countries nominate the monuments in their regions to this body. This body examines the monuments, their current state, their maintenance, and adds it to the World Heritage Monuments list, a list which is considered to be very prestigious.

[CrazyFreak]

Originally Posted by deep_agrawal

Indeed, the media has become so strong these days that even an UNOFFICIAL poll like this is hogging the headlines. (Well, it should obviously - headlines are by the media themselves).

In fact, this point raises questions about another debate: Should we or should we Not vote in the elections?

Don't bring out the issue of being UNOFFICIAL. Why don't you think it as just another survey? The issue of media giving so much importance to it, what's wrong in that? Abhishek Bachan's marriage is tele-casted for a whole day, A half an hour show on Rajni's Shivaji movie is broadcasted in CNN, some foreign prince's wedding is headlined in our news, with things like these happening, why are you so offended with the screen time given to the scrollings of survey and requests for voting? Well, In my opinion this is much better and reasonable than a whole day screening of some wedding.

[CrazyFreak]

Originally Posted by just08in

An excerpt:--
(AP) -- Egypt is scoffing at a global contest to name the new seven wonders of the world, saying it is a disgrace that the ancient Pyramids of Giza - the only surviving structure from the traditional list of architectural marvels - must compete for a spot.

Check the website now, Pyramids of Egypt are already included into the final list without any voting as a "Honorary Candidate" due to the pressure from the Egypt. You can get more information about this from Wikipedia : New Seven Wonders of the World - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[HarshaRocks]

I am an ordinary Indian. I have never been to the TAJ. I just cannot but marvel at the beauty of the structure. One of my desires is to be able to visit the place in my lifetime.
Whenever, the Taj has been in the news,more often than not it has been for the wrong reasons. The judiciary of this country(SC) has done a great job of protecting the Taj. Be it by passing strictures on the industries around the Taj ,mandatory use of non-polluting vehicles around the Taj and of late in the Taj Corridor scandal. What the judiciary of this country does not realise it might have to sometime soon have to deal with a new threat to the TAJ -That of mind-blowing history written by mind-blowing historians . Given that there are not many takers for such a version of history at this point of time,I can be sure that I'll be able to fulfill at least one of my desires

Btw, what was the intention of the thread starter? Will the new poll make any difference to tourism or revenues or to the Taj itself?
As far as I can see this thread is becoming a victim of some non-existent virtual "Indian" Renaissance on one of the other threads:neutral:

Edit: I found a wiki article on the mind-blowing historian Purushottam Nagesh Oak - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Interested souls can browse all the links possible(both for and against) and come to their conclusions.

[catapult]

Originally Posted by Plumber

Excellent. What was the need to chop off someone else's fingers? Couldn't he have expressed his Love without resorting to such violence? In any case, such tyrannical violence doesn't speak highly of civilization, does it?

Just because Mumtaz would not get laid with Shahjan, unless he built Taj Mahal, doesn't make it a symbol of Love, unless by Love you imply doing everything possible to sleep with someone. This is not some Bollywood movie about Show Jaan and B*mtaaz. And yes, there's a theory that says that love stories was just a dodge invented to justify building of Taj Mahal .(It's evident that people shout "But it was Love" the moment any argument against Taj is made...Not that it would have any credence amongst the junta who want to face only facts!)

And intentions are not the only thing that define a monument/action. A child-molester thinks by molesting the child, he's really expressing his love, Would you consider the room (built specially) in which child-molester molests the child as a symbol of Love? No, isn't it? Go back and read your point. Your arguments would even justify that. Pardon me for using such a gross analogy, but didn't see any better way to make my point.



Taj Mahal is a corrupted version of Tejo mahalay. For more facts, and before you come out with a reply, head here:

Taj Mahal - A Hindu Temple-Palace

We really have no proofs for all the allegations levelled - Fingers chopped, Temple razed etc. I'm not saying that they wouldn't have happened. But that's past. Its over. What is the point in clinging to them going forward - Do you wish chop fingers (or more) of Show Jahan's decendants? Would you destroy the Taj and build a temple? (You should contact Mr. Advani for that )
And anyway, your analogy was gross. My arguments would never justify that.

The link you sent, its been blocked in my company under 'Intolerance & Hate' - Does it tell you something?. It has no credibility whatsoever.

[catapult]

Originally Posted by CrazyFreak

Don't bring out the issue of being UNOFFICIAL. Why don't you think it as just another survey? The issue of media giving so much importance to it, what's wrong in that? Abhishek Bachan's marriage is tele-casted for a whole day, A half an hour show on Rajni's Shivaji movie is broadcasted in CNN, some foreign prince's wedding is headlined in our news, with things like these happening, why are you so offended with the screen time given to the scrollings of survey and requests for voting? Well, In my opinion this is much better and reasonable than a whole day screening of some wedding.

Speaking of media hypocricy - They would crib for anything that happens around.

So, A brand starts backing up Taj for the Seven Wonders list - They say, hey you are exploiting Taj for marketing benefits. Another 'Taj' brand doesn't do anything - They say, Hey...you have benefitted from the brand for so long..You are not doing anything to support the monument.
They say SMS companies are making money - Yet they keep scrolling a message 'SMS 4567 for Taj' every minute in their broadcasts.

Wah Taj! is all we can say for now.

[Plumber]

Originally Posted by catapult

We really have no proofs for all the allegations levelled - Fingers chopped, Temple razed etc. I'm not saying that they wouldn't have happened. But that's past. Its over. What is the point in clinging to them going forward - Do you wish chop fingers (or more) of Show Jahan's decendants?

The link you sent, its been blocked in my company under 'Intolerance & Hate' - Does it tell you something?. It has no credibility whatsoever.

What do you mean by "clinging to them". Do you consider reading about Nazi atrocities on Jews as 'clinging to past'; do you consider reading about Hiroshima bombings as 'clinging to past'?

Let me put the same questionto you: Whay are you desperate to get Taj Mahal selected as one of the 7 wonders of the world. It is past isn't it? Why wallow in past glories? Why waste time over a monument? Why not go forward?

Wow; so it's the IT managers who are equally ignorant of the real History and facts, who will decide what is credible and admissible in History? Do you know the real History of India has been supressed by leftist, psuedo-secularists, by terming it as "propoganda", and as "encouraging intolerance and hate"? Have a look at Conundrum thread. Do some independent research!!

And yes, even someone who works for Left party has this link blocked in his office? A startling fact? Whose point does it strengthen? In China, everything that goes against the govt. propoganda is censored within 2-3 days? Won't be surprised if you dismiss all the dissent that emanates from China as "having no credibility whatsoever".

Anyways!!!
Cheers!

[HarshaRocks]

Plumber- That historian appears to be a "bee in his bonnet" in the words of the supreme court. There are other historians like him have different stories to disprove that someone else other than Shah Jahan built the tomb. Which story do we believe?

[HarshaRocks]

Originally Posted by Plumber

What do you mean by "clinging to them". Do you consider reading about Nazi atrocities on Jews as 'clinging to past'; do you consider reading about Hiroshima bombings as 'clinging to past'?

Clinging on means not trying to settle historical scores. That Nazi's committed atrocities on Jews does not mean the Jews now repeat the same on the germans. Likewise, the Japanese need not bomb the the Americans in retaliation. What do you want the present generation of Indians to do? Right historical wrongs?The so called historical wrongs cannot stand facts and questioning.

Originally Posted by Plumber

Do some independent research!!

I did read a lot of the link that you sent. It just bad mouthes a religion and propogates a theory that cannot stand facts. There is no explanation for this hate mongering.What is the site's objective?