Pruning corruption is of no use, uproot it.

The new Prime Minister, Mr Modi must be the most hated man by the older politicians. He has a wife but has been separated from her for decades. He has no children so he does not have to steal or provide cover for criminals so that the children can follow him into politics. Apart from visiting his old mother for her blessings he has little contact with his family so there is no need for nepotism. He has traveled alone to Bhutan on his first foreign trip whereas other politicians take their entire families along. The worst thing is that there is no customs check on them when they return so they are able to smuggle in vast quantities of contraband. There are no security checks either which puts all other passengers at risk. Mr Modi has not accumulated billions of rupees, as other politicians have done, despite being Chief Minister of Gujarat for nigh on 13 years. But personal probity and thrift are not enough. In fact, this was the constant refrain of the previous Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, even as he presided over the biggest loot of the exchequer by coalition partners. The thieves must be sent to prison and kept there and not allowed out on bail to continue with their lives of luxury on looted wealth. Governors appointed by the Congress have been asked to resign but some are reluctant to do so. Ms Sheila Dikshit was appointed in a hurry, after she lost her seat in the assembly elections last December, to protect her from any investigation of the Commonwealth Games scam. She should be given the opportunity to stay if she reveals every detail of the scam and how the booty was divided. Or else force her to step down and go after her. Either the posts of governors should be abolished altogether or only people from civil society, who have no contact with politics or the government, should be appointed as governors. The Rajya Sabha must not be a dumping ground for failed or decrepit politicians who refuse to pass away. At least two thirds of the seats must be for eminent people from civil society. Sachin Tendulkar is a good start. The Prime Minister must be elected by the people and not sneak in through the backdoor of the Rajya Sabha. Politicians must not have control of banks, Prasar Bharti, Air India or manufacturing companies. VIPs are an abomination and must be abolished forthwith. There must be a time limit to finish every case and lawyers should not be allowed to seek endless extensions. No sinecure for judges after retirement. We realise that these wishes cannot be fulfilled in a hurry as the opposition will be ferocious but we hope that some start will be made. Mr Modi says he is proud to be Indian so he would want to leave a legacy. That is why we dare to hope.