• Who’s behind this “voting” to select the seven wonders?

Firm called New7Wonders based in Zurich. Kicked off campaign in 2000 with 177 monuments nominated by “people around the world.” 77 made it to shortlist. “Experts (unnamed)” pruned it to 21, which are up for vote.

• How seriously should you take the results?

No more no less than how you take SMS polls. This has no sanction from any international body. Just choice of those who vote.

• But there’s a list of current seven wonders, isn’t there?

There is only one list of seven wonders universally recognized as such — prepared by the Greeks more than 2000 years ago and, no surprise, all on the list were Greek monuments. Only one, the Great Pyramid of Giza, survives. We don’t even know what others looked like.

• But everyone told us Taj is one of the seven wonders.

Well, they weren’t lying but they weren’t being accurate either. Taj is widely recognized as one of the wonders. Just as the Great Wall of China. These monuments appear in various lists prepared at various times to rival the Greek one. There is no one universally accepted list. In fact, there are lists like Seven Underwater Wonders, even Seven Forgotten Wonders.

• If Taj is not “voted” into the list tomorrow?

Well, nothing happens. There will be no change in its status as a World Heritage monument. Recently, Red Fort was included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. That changed its status, this campaign means nothing. In case you believe in hint, Bipasha Basu has been invited to be present during the final announcement. Few want to disappoint Bipasha Basu.

• So why did New7Wonders start this campaign?

Speaking to The Indian Express, company spokesperson Tia Viering said: “It’s not about competition, it’s about awareness, monument appreciation.” Spin-off: besides media coverage, it will earn about a fifth of the revenue generated by phone calls and SMS. Says it will spend 50% on conservation.

• Is there anything positive about this campaign?

If this gets the Govt to clean up the area around Taj, upgrade its facilities, even get a decent website running, it could be worth it.

• Just for the record, how many voted?

Viering says nearly 100 million votes but then they allow multiple voting. So relax, have a nice weekend.