Will an Indian get the world's best job?

Two Indians are in the race to get the 'best job in the world' -- caretaker of Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef -- out of 50 persons of different nationalities. They were shortlisted by the Australian government from 34,684 applicants.

Besides people from the UK, Russia, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Greece, Ireland, China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Kenya and Australia, the top 50 also include television presenter Kim Jagtiani from Mumbai and Anjaan RJ of Bangalore.

The search to hire someone for 'the best job in the world' is part of a tourism promotion campaign initiated by the Queensland state government. The 'employee' will be paid $AUD 150,000 (about Rs 5 million) for six months to act as caretaker of Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef.

The 50 short-listed candidates from 22 countries include a dance instructor, a physiotherapist, a chef, a radio jockey, a scientist, an actor, interpreters, adventurers, students, television journalists and photographers.

The Top 50 will be narrowed down to a final 11 -- 10 of whom will be chosen by Tourism Queensland and an 11th 'wild card' applicant chosen by popular vote (see the related links box on the top left hand side of your monitor for the voting link).

These top 10 and the wild card candidate will fly to Hamilton Island in early May to take part in the final selection process with the successful candidate announced on May 6.