IANS

New Delhi, Jun 18: Does 'Dilli' more effectively describe the cosmopolitan character of the national capital than 'New Delhi'?

So feels Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister M.S. Gill, who wants the name of the Indian capital changed to Dilli, saying the word is more close to the people's heart.

Speaking at a conference 'Delhi - A World Class City in the Making' here Thursday, Gill appealed to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to change the name to Dilli before the Commonwealth Games 2010.

"I always feel that Dilli, as the national capital is known locally, is more close to the hearts of people than New Delhi. It also better describes the vibrant and cosmopolitan culture of the capital. After all it is 'sadi Dilli' or 'hamari Dilli' (our Delhi)," said Gill.

He said that if the Delhi chief minister is ready to take up the issue he will do the needful from his side and raise the matter before the central government.

"We have already changed Madras to Chennai, Trivandrum to Thiruvananthapuram, Bombay to Mumbai and Bangalore to Bengaluru - for the names give a local touch and feeling," he said.

However, Dikshit who was present at the conference, merely responded with a smile to Gill's request.