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2022-01-11T12:58:42Z

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{{short description|Indian quiz master and politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Derek O'Brien
| honorific_suffix = [[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]]
| image = Derek 98744.png
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = O'Brien in 2019
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age |1961|03|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Calcutta]], [[West Bengal]], India
| alma_mater = [[Scottish Church College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| office = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| term_start = {{Start date|2011|08|19|df=yes}}
| predecessor = [[Arjun Kumar Sengupta]]
| constituency = [[West Bengal]]
| office2 = [[Leader]] of [[All India Trinamool Congress]] in [[Rajya Sabha]]
| term_start2 = {{Start date|2011|08|19|df=yes}}
| predecessor2 = ''post created''
| party = [[All India Trinamool Congress]]
| spouse = {{ubl|{{Marriage|Rila Banerjee|1991}}<ref name="Dad">{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calcutta-times/Dads-hobby-is-my-profession-Derek-O-Brien/articleshow/26302503.cms | title=Dad's hobby is my profession: Derek O' Brien | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=26 October 2002 | access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref>|{{Marriage|Dr. Tonuca Basu|2006}}}}
| children = 2
| other_names =
| occupation = {{hlist|[[Politician]]|[[wikt:Special:Search/quizmaster|Quizmaster]]}}
| website = {{URL|www.derek.in}}
|order=}}
'''Derek O’Brien''' (born 13 March 1961) is an Indian politician, television personality and quiz master.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.anandabazar.com/state/not-only-movies-generation-ext-are-also-conscious-about-sabuj-sathi-and-kanyashree-1.574372?ref=hm-new-stry|title=বাংলাতেই ভরসা, জানাল বই-আড্ডা|last=বসু|first=ঋজু|work=Anandabazar Patrika|access-date=2017-03-11|language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/in_schools_students_01publications.aspx|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/in_schools_students_02tvshows.aspx|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/derek-o-brien.html|title=Derek O Brien Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history|website=www.elections.in|access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref> He is a [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]] in the [[Rajya Sabha]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.5/newmembers/Website/Main.aspx|title=Members Page|website=164.100.47.5|access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref> (Upper House of India's Parliament) from [[West Bengal]] and member of the [[All India Trinamool Congress]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/meet_derek.aspx|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/in_parliament.aspx|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref> He is the chief national spokesperson as well as leader of the Trinamool Congress Parliamentary party in the Rajya Sabha.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/derek-obrien-appointed-trinamool-congress-chief-national-spokesperson/articleshow/46623083.cms|title=Derek O'Brien appointed Trinamool Congress chief national spokesperson|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref> Prior to his Parliamentary career, he became well known as the quizmaster for the Bournvita Quiz Contest and other shows.

== Personal background ==
O’Brien comes from an [[Irish people|Irish]] family and can trace his paternal origins to an Irish soldier who came to India in the early 1860s and whose descendants married into the [[Bengalis|Bengali community]]. O’Brien is based in Kolkata and speaks, reads and writes [[Bengali language|Bengali]]. O’Brien's grandfather, Amos O’Brien, was the first Christian to serve as head of the Department of English, [[Banaras Hindu University]], and also taught at [[Ravenshaw College]] in [[Cuttack]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=O'brien|first=Derek|date=2012-08-15|title=Derek O'Brien: The O'Briens of India and Pakistan|url=http://quizderek.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-obriens-of-india-and-pakistan_13.html|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Derek O'Brien}}</ref>

O'Brien went to [[St. Xavier's Collegiate School]] in [[Kolkata]] and for a short period, [[St. Columba's School, Delhi|St. Columba's School]] in [[Delhi]], and then spent two years at [[Scottish Church College]], Kolkata.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/meet_derek.aspx|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref> O’Brien is the oldest of three sons of Joyce and Neil O’Brien (1934{{endash}}2016).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/meet_derek.aspx|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref> Neil O'Brien worked in publishing and retired as the chairman and managing director of [[Oxford University Press|Oxford University Press India]] as well as leading the [[Anglo-Indian]] community for two decades.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/Neil-OBrien-Indias-first-quizmaster-dies/article14399306.ece|title=Neil O'Brien, India's first quizmaster, dies|last=Agencies|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-04-03|language=en}}</ref>

He is married to Tonuca Basu, who is practising medicine in [[Brooklyn, New York]]. He was earlier married to Rila Banerjee <ref>{{cite web | url=http://aitcofficial.org/aitc/celebrating-women-power-by-derek-obrien/ | title=Celebrating Women Power by Derek O'Brien | publisher=[[All India Trinamool Congress]] | date=2 October 2014 | access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref> and the couple have a daughter Aanya.<ref>http://www.derek.in/pages/meet_derek.html</ref>

== Professional and quizzing career ==
O’Brien's first job was as a journalist at [[Sportsworld (magazine)|''Sportsworld'' magazine]]. After a short stint there, he joined the [[advertising agency]] [[Ogilvy & Mather|Ogilvy]] in 1984 and became its Creative Head for Kolkata and Delhi. Simultaneously, he embarked on a career as a [[quiz]]master and [[Game show|quiz show host]], having been introduced to quizzing by his father, Neil O’Brien, who had conducted the first open quiz in India in 1967.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://penguin.co.in/author/derek-obrien/|title=Derek O'Brien - Penguin India|work=Penguin India|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/let-s-get-quizzical-108080901018_1.html|title=Let's get quizzical|last=Gupta|first=Gargi|date=2008-08-09|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1110923/jsp/sports/story_14543256.jsp|title=Champion of class & decency|website=www.telegraphindia.com|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref> In 1988, O’Brien hosted his first all-India quizzes as a professional quizmaster: the Bata North Star Quiz and the Maggi Quiz for Schools. In 1990, he joined hands with ''Economic Times'' for the Brand Equity Quiz for business corporations. In 1991, he finally quit Ogilvy and set up his own knowledge, education and publishing company, Big Ideas – since renamed Derek O’Brien and Associates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2001/08/04/stories/1304110j.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130095628/http://www.thehindu.com/2001/08/04/stories/1304110j.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-11-30|website=[[The Hindu]]|title=It's a quizzer's world|date=2001-08-04|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/the_company.aspx|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calcutta-times/Dads-hobby-is-my-profession-Derek-O-Brien/articleshow/26302503.cms|title=Dad's hobby is my profession: Derek O' Brien - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/with_corporates.aspx|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.forbesindia.com/printcontent/37542|title=Forbes India Magazine - Print|website=www.forbesindia.com|language=en|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:43J-pkG8CjEJ:https://www.telegraphindia.com/1130428/jsp/calcutta/story_16826273.jsp+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in#.WMfGUdKGOM9|title=Man of questions to man of answers|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref>

Derek O’Brien has conducted quizzes in the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)]], [[Bahrain]], [[Kuwait]], [[Qatar]], [[Oman]], [[Singapore]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Bangladesh]] and the [[United States]]. In 2008, he travelled to [[Pakistan]] to host a television quiz for schools from [[Islamabad]], [[Lahore]] and [[Karachi]]. For three years in a row (2003–05), O’Brien won the [[Indian Television Academy Awards|Indian Television Academy award]] for Best Host in a Television Gameshow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2002/05/10/stories/2002051001160600.htm|title=The Hindu Business Line : What makes Bournvita quiz tick again?|last=blsmr|website=www.thehindubusinessline.com|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/in_schools_students_02tvshows.aspx|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pearsoned.co.in/web/authors/1445/Derek_O-Brien.aspx|title=Author Summary : Derek O' Brien - Pearson Education, India|website=www.pearsoned.co.in|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Derek O'Brien to quiz Pak children|url=http://www.ndtv.com/video/zany/news/derek-o-brien-to-quiz-pak-children-26764|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref>

O’Brien has spoken at, among others, [[Harvard]], [[Yale]] and [[Columbia University|Columbia]] Universities in the United States as well as several [[Indian Institutes of Management|Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)]] and [[Indian Institutes of Technology|Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)]], the [[National Law School of India University]], [[Bengaluru]], [[Hindu College, Delhi|Hindu College]], and [[Shri Ram College of Commerce]] in Delhi, and [[Loreto College, Kolkata|Loreto College]], [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-harvard-university-keen-on-inviting-mamata-banerjee-derek-o-brien-2268986|title=Harvard University keen on inviting Mamata Banerjee: Derek O' Brien {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2016-10-31|work=dna|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.anandabazar.com/state/not-only-movies-generation-ext-are-also-conscious-about-sabuj-sathi-and-kanyashree-1.574372?ref=hm-new-stry|title=বাংলাতেই ভরসা, জানাল বই-আড্ডা|last=বসু|first=ঋজু|work=Anandabazar Patrika|access-date=2017-03-14|language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://dubeat.com/2016/02/the-srcc-business-conclave-2016-in-touch-with-tomorrow/|title=Day 3 of SRCC Business Conclave 2016 ends with Adi Godrej and Rajat Sharma|date=2016-02-06|work=DU Beat|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/nls.bangalore/posts/1560818203943890|title=National Law School of India University, Bangalore|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://insideiim.com/making-knowledge-interesting-to-people-derek-obriens-mission-statement/|title=Making Knowledge Interesting to People – Derek O'Brien's Mission Statement {{!}} InsideIIM.com|website=insideiim.com|date=8 February 2014|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/harvard-university-keen-on-inviting-mamata-o-brien/1/799117.html|title=Harvard University keen on inviting Mamata: O Brien|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/quizderek/status/828162638043451393|title=Twitter|website=mobile.twitter.com|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref>

He has served as president of the Dalhousie Institute Club.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1150902/jsp/t2/story_40162.jsp#.WLlf6ThIy9t|title=DI has a lady Prez|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref>

== Political career ==
O’Brien joined the [[All India Trinamool Congress|Trinamool Congress]] in 2004, when the party was still in opposition in West Bengal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/meet_derek.aspx|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> He later wrote that he was drawn to the charisma and personality of the Trinamool Congress leader (now chief minister of Bengal) [[Mamata Banerjee]], and felt she was the only one who could defeat the then [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]]-led government in the state.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/opinion/why-i-cannot-discuss-the-cpi-m-calmly-1273023?site=full|title=Opinion: Why I Cannot Discuss The CPI(M) Calmly|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/meet_derek.html|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref>
=== Spokesperson for the Trinamool Congress ===
O’Brien soon became a spokesperson for the Trinamool Congress and was identified as the rare [[White-collar worker|white-collar]], [[English language|English-speaking]] politician in the party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1110409/jsp/nation/story_13831831.jsp|title=The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) {{!}} Nation {{!}} Team Mamata|website=www.telegraphindia.com|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> He came to national media attention during Mamata Banerjee's protest against the CPI(M) government's land acquisition attempt in Singur (2006), and then in the run-up to the 2009 Lok Sabha election, in which Trinamool Congress handed the CPI(M) its first defeat in West Bengal since 1977.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/opinion/why-i-cannot-discuss-the-cpi-m-calmly-1273023?site=full|title=Opinion: Why I Cannot Discuss The CPI(M) Calmly|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/meet_derek.html|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> He pioneered his party's [[Social media marketing|social media outreach]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maamatimanush.tv/articles.php?aid=701|title=Maa Mati Manush :: M3 Leads - Election campaign on social media|website=www.maamatimanush.tv|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/2014-lok-sabha-polls-bjp-congress-social-media/1/249471.html|title=Election #2014: As cyber war rooms get battle-ready, BJP and Congress are reaching out to a new constituency spread across social media 18022013|website=m.indiatoday.in|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref>

O’Brien is frequently seen on news television shows and is a regular commentator on political and policy issues.<ref>{{Citation|last=Derek O'Brien|title=Derek O'Brien on The Big Fight {{!}} NDTV|date=2016-12-18|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JbQfypRimk|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Derek O'Brien|title=Derek O'Brien speaks on the demonetisation issue on CNN News 18|date=2016-11-17|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_Ni7Hvfhzw|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref> He wrote a weekly column for ''[[NDTV]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/author/derek-o-brien|title=Derek O Brien – Author, NDTV.com|website=www.ndtv.com|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref> and his articles have appeared in ''[[The Times of India|Times of India]],''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/author/derekobrien/|title=Derek O'Brien Blog - Times of India Blog|website=Times of India Blog|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref> ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' and [[The Indian Express|''Indian Express''.]]

In 2011, following the Trinamool Congress victory in the West Bengal assembly election, O’Brien was sent to the [[2011 Indian Rajya Sabha elections|Rajya Sabha]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1110820/jsp/entertainment/story_14398794.jsp|title=BRAND BENGAL|website=www.telegraphindia.com|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aitcofficial.org/elected-member/?mid=17567&mcat=rajyasabha|title=Elected Representatives : All India Trinamool Congress|website=aitcofficial.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref>

===First term in Rajya Sabha===
He was sworn in as Member of Parliament on 19 August 2011 <ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2372412.ece Yechury, Ahmed Patel take oath in Rajya Sabha]</ref> and is one of 16 MPs elected to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://aitmc.org/elected_rep.php?sid=3 |title=Archived copy |access-date=22 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115141/https://aitmc.org/elected_rep.php?sid=3 |archive-date=26 August 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2012, Trinamool Congress named him as its Chief [[Whip (politics)|Whip]] in the Rajya Sabha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/iebrief-derek-obrien-is-tmc-chief-whip-in-rajya-sabha/|title=Derek O'Brien is TMC Chief Whip in Rajya Sabha|date=3 Aug 2012|website=www.indianexpress.com|publisher=www.indianexpress.com}}</ref>

In 2012, O'Brien cast a vote in the [[2012 Indian presidential election|presidential election]] to elect the 13th [[President of India]]. His vote is believed to be the first presidential vote cast by an elected member of the Anglo-Indian community—as members of the community have previously been ''nominated'' to the [[Anglo-Indian reserved seats in the Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha]] and other assemblies and are not eligible to vote.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131225074810/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/president-poll-derek-o-brien-first-angloindian-to-vote/272311-37-64.html President poll: Derek O' Brien first Anglo-Indian to vote], ''IBN Live'', 19 July 2012.</ref>

In 2012, he addressed the [[United Nations General Assembly]] as a member of the Indian parliamentary delegation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Derek-OBrien-shares-UN-experience-with-students/articleshow/17316579.cms?|title=Derek O'Brien shares UN experience with students - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref>
==== Parliamentary Committees ====
He was the Chairman of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, from September 1, 2017 to September 12, 2019. Presently, he serves as a member on the following key parliamentary committees - General Purposes Committee, Business Advisory Committee, Ethics Committee, Transport, Tourism and Culture Committee, Human Resource Development Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/Committee_site/MainPage.aspx|title=Derek O Brien Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history|website=www.elections.in|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://prsindia.org/mptrack/derekobrien|title=Rajya Sabha-Membership of Parliamentary Committees|website=164.100.47.5|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> He served on the Railway Convention Committee <ref>{{Citation|last=Rajya Sabha TV|title=Sh. Derek O'Brien's comments on a resolution approving recommendations of Railway Convention Comm.|date=2016-08-09|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o-9hBfGKv24|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/meet_derek.html|title=DEREK|website=derek.in|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> and has also been a member of parliamentary select (specific issue) committees <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.5/webcom/composition.aspx|title=Rajya Sabha-Membership of Parliamentary Committees|website=164.100.47.5|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> on the Goods and Services Tax Constitutional Amendment Bill,<ref>{{Citation|last=Derek O'Brien|title=Derek O'Brien makes a point of order in RS on GST Bill|date=2016-08-17|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl7fIzgOHAE)%20http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/gst-can-be-interpreted-as-girgit-samjhauta-tax-derek-obrien-on-bjp-congress-understanding/,http://aitcofficial.org/aitc/in-parliament-rajya-sabha/derek-obrien-speaks-on-the-gst-bill-full-transcript/?0&cat_id=8|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> the Insurance Bill,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/media/in_parliament/Derek%20O%E2%80%99Brien%20speaks%20on%20Insurance%20Laws%20(Amendment)%20Bill,%202015.pdf|title=Insurance Bill}}</ref> the Land Acquisition Bill,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aitcofficial.org/aitc/aitc-chief-whip-in-rs-derek-obrien-speaks-on-land-acquisition-bill-2013/|title=Derek O'Brien speaks on Land Acquisition Bill, 2013 : All India Trinamool Congress|website=aitcofficial.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-15}}</ref> the Citizenship Act Amendment Bill.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Citizenship Act Amendment Bill|url=http://164.100.47.5/rsnewjournals/sessionno/240/120816.pdf.|journal=The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016}}</ref> He has spoken in Parliament on a range of issues, from [[Legal tender|demonetisation]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/demonetisation-derek-obrien-hits-out-at-govt-says-anybody-who-opposes-the-move-not-anti-national/454675/|title=Demonetisation: Derek O'Brien hits out at govt, says anybody who opposes the move not anti-national|date=2016-11-24|work=The Financial Express|access-date=2017-03-26|language=en-US}}</ref> to [[Net neutrality in India|net neutrality]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aitcofficial.org/aitc/in-parliament-rajya-sabha/derek-obrien-calls-attention-of-the-it-minister-at-rajya-sabha-on-net-neutrality/?0&cat_id=1|title=Derek O'Brien calls attention of the IT Minister at Rajya Sabha on Net Neutrality {{!}} Full Transcript : All India Trinamool Congress|website=aitcofficial.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/will-keep-fighting-for-net-neutrality-says-trinamool-congress-derek-obrien-782233|title=Will Keep Fighting For Net Neutrality, Says Trinamool Congress' Derek O'Brien|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref> [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/media/in_parliament/derek-o-brien-speaks-in-zh-on-comments-made-jk-cm-transcript.pdf|title=Comments on JK}}</ref> [[Rail transport|railways]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aitcofficial.org/aitc/derek-obrien-speaks-on-fdi-in-railways-and-defense/?0&cat_id=8|title=Derek O'Brien speaks on FDI in Railways and Defense {{!}} Transcript : All India Trinamool Congress|website=aitcofficial.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref> and [[juvenile justice]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://derek.in/pages/media/in_parliament/Derek%20O'Brien%20speaks%20on%20the%20Juvenile%20Justice%20Bill.pdf|title=Justice bill}}</ref> and participated in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President of India's address to Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aitcofficial.org/aitc/in-parliament-rajya-sabha/derek-obrien-speaks-on-the-motion-of-thanks-on-the-presidents-address-2/?0&cat_id=8|title=Trinamool's Derek O'Brien speaks on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address : All India Trinamool Congress|website=aitcofficial.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-26}}</ref>

===Second term in Rajya Sabha===
His second term as an MP of the Rajya Sabha began on 19 August 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prsindia.org/mptrack/derekobrien|title=Derek O Brien|date=2016-10-25|website=PRS|language=en|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref> and is slated to end on 18 August 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.5/newmembers/MemlistElDate.aspx|title=Alphabetical List of Rajya Sabha Members|website=164.100.47.5|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref>

On 20 September 2020, when the Farm Reform Bill was placed in the Rajya Sabha for passage,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trinamool's Derek O'Brien Tries To Tear Rule Book During Farm Bill Debate|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/trinamool-congress-mp-derek-obrien-tries-to-tears-rule-book-in-rajya-sabha-amid-protests-against-farm-bills-2298275|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-23|website=[[NDTV|NDTV.com]]}}</ref> Derek O’Brien protested, tore and threw the Rule Book as he, along with other members, heckled the [[Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha]] [[Harivansh Narayan Singh]]. Apparently, in the ensuing melee with other members also protesting, and papers being flung in protest towards the Deputy Chairman, then the Rule Book in question was torn by Derek O’Brien. Media verifiable sources mention that the house was under complete chaos and unrest to protest the bill.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trinamool's Derek O'Brien Tries To Tear Rule Book During Farm Bill Debate|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/trinamool-congress-mp-derek-obrien-tries-to-tears-rule-book-in-rajya-sabha-amid-protests-against-farm-bills-2298275|access-date=2021-05-23|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> This chaos led to a 10-minute suspension of the house.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trinamool's Derek O'Brien Tries To Tear Rule Book During Farm Bill Debate|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/trinamool-congress-mp-derek-obrien-tries-to-tears-rule-book-in-rajya-sabha-amid-protests-against-farm-bills-2298275|access-date=2021-05-23|website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-21|title=If govt had the numbers, why didn't they allow the vote to happen: Derek|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/if-govt-had-the-numbers-why-didnt-they-allow-the-vote-to-happen-derek-6604127/|access-date=2021-05-23|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> [[Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (India)|Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs]] sought his suspension, along with some other members, as a consequence for his actions under rule 256 of procedure and conduct of business. He along with eight other MPs were suspended for one week on account of his unruly and unparliamemtary behaviour.<ref name=":0" />

He was suspended once again on 21 December 2021 for allegations of throwing a rulebook, as he was protesting against the [[Elections Law Bill, 2021|Elections Law (Amendment) Bill, 2021]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien Suspended From Parliament|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/trinamool-rajya-sabha-mp-derek-obrien-suspended-from-parliament-for-rest-of-session-2663449|access-date=2021-12-21|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

==== Parliamentary Committees ====
He is a member of the Parliamentary [[Standing Committee on Home Affairs]].<ref name="Reconstituted October 2021">{{cite news |title=Parliament Panels Reconstituted, Congress Leaders Retained As Chairmen |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/parliament-panels-reconstituted-congress-leaders-retained-as-chairmen-2570063 |access-date=8 January 2022 |work=NDTV.com |date=10 October 2021}}</ref> On 6 January 2022 he wrote to [[Anand Sharma]], head of the committee to discuss the secret app "[[Tek Fog]]" that "has serious ramifications and could jeopardise national security". He wrote, "This application is capable of penetrating encrypted messaging platforms and secure social media conversations, in order to heavily manipulate and exploit narratives on said platforms."<ref name="Derek O’Brien">{{cite news |title=‘Could Jeopardise National Security’: Derek O’Brien Wants Standing Committee To Discuss ‘Tek Fog’ |url=https://thewire.in/government/tmc-mp-derek-o-brien-standing-committe-home-affairs-tek-fog |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=The Wire |date=6 January 2022}}</ref>

== Other work ==
O’Brien is also a celebrated author. His books include the bestseller, ''Inside Parliament: Views for the Front Row'', ''Derek Introduces the Constitution and Parliament of India'', ''My Way'', a motivational book, ''Speak Up Speak Out'', a compilation of elocution pieces, and several reference, quiz and text books''.''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/inside-parliament-views-from-the-front-row-review-crossing-the-floor/article22430184.ece|title=Inside Parliament – Views from the Front Row review: Crossing the floor|last=Gupta|first=Smita|date=2018-01-13|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-10-07|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Speak Up, Speak Out: My Favourite Elocution Pieces and How to Deliver Them|last=O'Brien|first=Derek|date=2013-01-01|publisher=Red Turtle|isbn=9788129121158|location=Place of publication not identified|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/no-shortcuts/article5736978.ece|title=No shortcuts|date=2014-02-28|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-10-07|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Derek Introduces the Constitution and Parliament of India|last=O'Brien|first=Derek|date=2015-05-03|publisher=Rupa Publications India|isbn=9788129136558|edition= First|location=New Delhi|language=en}}</ref>
==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.derek.in/ Official website]
*[https://www.prsindia.org/mptrack/derekobrien Derek O Brien] at [[PRS Legislative Research]]
*[https://penguin.co.in/book_author/obrien-derek/ Derek O'Brien] at [[Penguin India]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:OBrien, Derek}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:All India Trinamool Congress politicians from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian television presenters]]
[[Category:Politicians from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Indian Christians]]
[[Category:Scottish Church College alumni]]
[[Category:University of Calcutta alumni]]
[[Category:Indian people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:St. Columba's School, Delhi alumni]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Anglo-Indian people]]

Derek O'Brien politician - Revision history

->Goldsztajn at 12:58, 11 January 2022