Sun sets on colonial centre of Delhi

New Delhi - The Indian government has renamed the capital's centre after Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, ending a century-old association with British colonialists. Some MPs were angered, however, by the decision to rename Connaught Place and Connaught Circus - named for the Duke of Connaught - after the late Indian leaders. They suggested the prime minister, P V Narasimha Rao, was trying to win favour with Sonia Gandhi, Rajiv's influential widow. The circle of white, columned buildings houses shops, airline companies and offices.

One historian questioned whether the name change would stick. "We were ruled for 200 years by the British and English names have become a part of our heritage," Khuswant Singh said. "You can't change them in two days.'' AP