GAME OVER
   Date :04-Sep-2020

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THE third round of ban on China-linked mobile applications, including the top-draw game PUBG, is New Delhi’s clear message to Beijing that any misadventure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) will come with huge costs elsewhere. The Centre has blocked 118 apps in the third round of penalty on Chinese mobile applications “which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of State and public order”. India’s action, coming against the backdrop of China’s latest posturing near Pangong Tso, will have solid consequences on the neighbour’s digital-platform revenues. As per data, India has over a quarter of PUBG Mobile’s lifetime installs. The mobile game was a big hit in India and saw its downloads rocket during the coronavirus-related lockdowns. The Indian action can find resonance with many countries who are at crossroads with China over origin of the COVID-19 outbreak. India’s ban on TikTok had also prompted several countries to take a hard look at the company. The Government should now look into companies that have Chinese investments and use Chinese tech in their products.
 
AMBITIOUS MISSION
 
AN AMBITIOUS and goal-oriented initiative is set to change the face of civil services in India once the biggest bureaucratic reforms are unleashed in post-recruitment training through the ‘Mission Karmayogi’. The exercise promises radical improvement in Government’s human resources management practices with its capacity-building plans. Judging by the draft available after Cabinet nod to the reforms, the exercise holds great potential of shaking up the complacent bureaucratic system prevailing in the country. A new architecture for civil services can be created by shrugging off the subjective evaluation of officers in absence of a continuous education system. ‘Mission Karmayogi’ has the capacity of producing a force of civil servants with right attitude, skills and knowledge to deal with the future challenges. Competency-led capacity building is essential for any work force. The bureaucracy, holding a prime place in the country’s ecosystem, is in dire need of a shake-up through such reforms. The Mission needs to be implemented in the right earnest and with total transparency to rule out any parochialism.