And Sify/UNI reported:
"A R Rahman's Vande Mataram has bagged the fifth place in a worldwide top ten list of songs compiled by the BBC"

Here is my letter to Sify for explanation on behalf you all. Feedback link: http://www.sify.com/content/feedback.asp?site=news

Is BBC also doing mischief with our national song? They were updating scores every day till Dec 6. After our tremendous participation they have stopped updating their site. Have they stopped the voting too? Is some foul play going by this British company against our national song that gave us Freedom? (I have already complained to BBC and awaiting their response). If the above things are true, it is a shocking disruption by the organizers themselves.
-----------------------

> Dear Sify Editors,
>
> I am Mahendra Joshi from http://www.IndiaCause.com A Representation
> of Indians in North America and across the globe with more than 5000
> members that care for India.
>
> Please refer to your news item on Dec 8:
> Rehman's 'Vande Mataram' among world's favorite songs
> http://headlines.sify.com/1430news4.html
>
> I am shocked at the way Sify.com is misleading Indians about our national song
>
> You reported :
> "The song (Vande Mataram) has bagged the fifth place in a worldwide top
> ten list of songs compiled by the British Broadcasting Corporation
> (BBC)"… "The first place in the list, compiled by the BBC as part of
> its 76th anniversary celebrations, has also been bagged by an Indian
> song - the Tamil ''Adi Rakamma Kaiya Thottu''
>
> Please understand well, Vande Mataram is at TOP position #1 since Dec 6
> with nearly 50% of votes. After IndiaCause call to our members this
> song came to top position in just 30 hours. Since Dec 6th morning
> "Vande Mataram" is at the TOP position #1 till the moment this response
> is written. Please verify the following link to know how false your
> story was on Dec 8. (I have a printed copy of this BBC report as on Dec
> 6 and also on Dec 9)

> http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/us/features/topten/
>
> Please note the whole sequence of songs published by you is absolutely
> incorrect. Also note BBC is celebrating their 70 year of service and
> not 76 as reported by you.
>
> Please read following two newsletters from IndiaCause that made this
> difference:
> Vote for "Vande Mataram" on BBC: Dec 05, 2002
> http://www.indiacause.com/NL_021205.htm
>
> Great Job Friends! "Vande Mataram" is at TOP #1 Position: Dec 07, 2002
> http://www.indiacause.com/NL_021207.htm
>
> Now coming to more important point:
> You reported: "Prolific maestro A R Rahman's ''Vande Mataram'', which
> had the whole nation dancing to its beat a few years ago, is also among
> the world's top ten favourite songs"
>
> All 5000 members of IndiaCause would like to know from Sify – Since
> when "Vande Mataram" has become "A R Rahman's" property? Has BBC
> mentioned name of "A R Rahman's" anywhere on their site? Is any
> editor at Sify aware about following facts? And if the answer is yes – Why
> was it not reported in story?
>
> Countless martyrs of India's Independence struggle went to their deaths
> with the words "Vande Mataram" on their lips. This was the song that,
> more than any other, captured the hearts of millions throughout Bharat,
> and served as an inspiration to the whole nation during Freedom Struggle.
>
> If by any chance I have missed other news on BBC or any other source
> that confirms your story please let me know. I would like to write all
> news agencies that have made this blunder or to BBC for their link
> which currently shows "Vande Mataram" at position #1 because of our
> member's contribution.
>
> I shall appreciate your response to this letter.
>
> Thanks
---------------

The Sify news -
Rehman's 'Vande Mataram' among world's favourite songs
New Delhi, Dec 8

Prolific maestro A R Rahman's ''Vande Mataram'', which had the whole nation dancing to its beat a few years ago, is also among the world's top ten favourite songs.

The song, from the music director's music album of the same name, has bagged the fifth place in a worldwide top ten list of songs compiled by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

''Chhaiyyaan Chhaiyyaan'', another song from the stable of the musical genius who recently made waves on the international circuit through songs composed for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical ''Bombay Dreams'', has been placed seventh in the list.

The first place in the list, compiled by the BBC as part of its 76th anniversary celebrations, has also been bagged by an Indian song - the Tamil ''Adi Rakamma Kaiya Thottu'' tuned by the renowned Ilaiyaraja for Mani Ratnam's ''Dalapathy'' starring Tamil superstar Rajnikanth. The song was sung by S P Balasubramaniam and Swarnalatha.

The second place in the BBC poll went to the song ''We Don't Talk Any More'', sung by Lord Cliff Richard while American singer Cher's ''Believe'' was at the third spot. The final results of the poll will be published on December 21.

UNI