New Seven Wonders of the World list: Aishwarya Rai votes for Taj Mahal

On December 1st, the Taj Mahal was added to the list of nominated Wonders of the World. Bollywood actress, Aishwarya Rai was in India to promote the Taj nomination. A total of 70 sites have been nominated in this new list. The monuments with the most votes by the end of February 2005 will be reviewed by the N7W panel of experts for inclusion in a shortlist of 21 monuments, which will again be short-listed to the final seven.

A Swiss adventurer flew past the Taj Mahal in a hot air balloon on Wednesday to give momentum to his campaign to get India’s 17th-century monument to love on a new list of the Seven Wonders of the World, sponsors said.

Former Indian Miss World Aishwarya Rai waved as Bernard Weber, who travels the world via hot air balloon and seaplane, hovered close to the Taj for 15 minutes as part of his internet campaign to choose a new list of wonders for the new millennium.
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Mauritius has scrapped the visa system for Indian tourists from next month to give a fillip to tourism.

‘‘We have taken this very important decision to abolish the visa system for all bonafide Indian nationals willing to visit Mauritius and this law will be effective from October,’’ Mauritius Tourism and Leisure Minister Anil K. Gayan told reporters here on Wednesday.

Gayan, who was here to inaugurate the Mauritian Food Festival, said his country held India ‘‘in high esteem’’.

‘‘Abolishing visas for Indian tourists, will go a long way not only in further promoting tourism but also strengthening bilateral ties with New Delhi,’’ the Minister said, adding that tourism fetches most revenue for the island country.
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All foreigners visiting India must hold a valid visa. They are very easy to obtain and the application is very straight forward and can easily be obtained from your nearest Indian Mission (Embassy, consulate or high commission). In India, the Foreigners’ Registration Office can help you in extending your visa, in case required.
Foreigners’ Registration Offices
1st Floor, Hans Bhavan, Near Tilak Bridge, New Delhi, India. Pin : 110001
Phone : +(91)-(11)-3319489
This office is open weekdays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm.

A Tax Clearance Certificate is required, in case your stay is more than 120 days and can be obtained from Central Revenue Building during weekdays.
Central Revenue Building
Income Tax Office (Foreign Section), Vikas Marg, New Delhi, India. Pin : 110001
Phone : +(91)-(11)-3317826
Office is closed for lunch break during 1 to 2 pm.

Always carry photocopies of your important travel documents, which should be kept separate from the originals. A separate visa is required to visit restricted areas like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland.