Derek O’Brien

The writer is Trinamool's Parliamentary party leader, Rajya Sabha

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Derek O’Brien writes: Number of public-sector vacancies is alarming. Can the government do something about them?

October 24,2025 06:41:22 AM

From teachers and doctors to scientists and security personnel, staffing shortages have spared no sector. This has precipitated not just a jobs crisis but also a gaping governance deficit.

Fri, Oct 24, 2025

India is staring at one of its biggest crises: Unemployment of the educatedSubscriber Only

October 10,2025 08:35:38 AM

In 2024, over 46,000 graduates and postgraduates applied for jobs to be contractual sanitation workers in Haryana.

Fri, Oct 10, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: Books will survive the AI invasion, if their fate is in the hands of womenSubscriber Only

September 26,2025 07:11:36 AM

If women stopped reading, the book market would collapse overnight. And if women are reading, why are we not talking enough about women who write?

Fri, Sep 26, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: From Arun Jaitley to Sushma Swaraj, what my rivals have taught meSubscriber Only

September 12,2025 07:00:51 AM

In my three terms as a student in the university called Parliament, this kind of learning has been an enormously educative experience

Fri, Sep 12, 2025

Dear Union government, let Parliament functionSubscriber Only

August 29,2025 06:52:13 AM

Rushing bills and rejecting discussions on issues of national importance have become the norm.

Fri, Aug 29, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: 79 suggestions for the Union government on 79th I-DaySubscriber Only

August 15,2025 06:49:45 AM

These cut across health, education and law among other spheres. For one, withdraw the SIR exercise in Bihar

Fri, Aug 15, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: 8 suggestions for the Vice President of India — whoever that may beSubscriber Only

August 01,2025 07:27:45 AM

Raising a Point of Order is a legitimate parliamentary tactic. The Chair cannot, and must not, look away

Fri, Aug 01, 2025

Question Hour is one of the few tools still available to hold this government accountableSubscriber Only

July 18,2025 07:11:57 AM

Here are 12 questions asked in the Budget Session of Parliament, 2025. Each answer from the government tells a story

Fri, Jul 18, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: Two quizmasters, on the factsSubscriber Only

July 04,2025 06:49:19 AM

Facts are important. The need today is also to train people to sift out misinformation and propaganda

Fri, Jul 04, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: Unseeing the NortheastSubscriber Only

June 20,2025 07:58:22 AM

Coverage of Meghalaya honeymoon case, Modi government’s attitude to Northeast is proof of continuing discrimination

Fri, Jun 20, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: Cagey in the HouseSubscriber Only

June 06,2025 06:53:15 AM

Centre's skittishness about calling a Special Session is of a piece with its attitude to parliamentary precedents and principles

Fri, Jun 13, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: A quizmaster’s tribute to the Indian Armed ForcesSubscriber Only

May 23,2025 06:55:15 AM

Name the Operation launched by the Army and the IAF on 13 April 1984 to establish full control over the Siachen Glacier. And other questions.

Fri, May 23, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: With child labour, law is not the problem — enforcement isSubscriber Only

May 09,2025 07:31:00 AM

Sectors that require urgent attention to address the worst forms of child labour include the production of matches and fireworks, glass, and leather products, as well as work in brick kilns, coal mines, and construction, among others

Fri, May 09, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: He was my PopeSubscriber Only

April 25,2025 07:10:10 AM

Pope Francis had qualities that made me — made us — want to identify with him

Fri, Apr 25, 2025

Answers to questions asked in Parliament are a veritable goldmine. It’s a pity this wealth of information is often overlooked in parliamentary reportage. (Illustration: C R Sasikumar)

Ten questions during Question Hour — and what the government’s responses revealSubscriber Only

April 11,2025 07:10:19 AM

Convictions by the ED, dues under MGNREGS, sickle cell anaemia — areas where MPs sought accountability in Parliament this year

Fri, Apr 11, 2025

Seven issues raised by MPs in ParliamentSubscriber Only

March 28,2025 07:03:39 AM

The subjects may have not made multi-column stories or news tickers but are serious interventions on citizen welfare

Fri, Mar 28, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: Government is not serious about human-animal conflictSubscriber Only

March 14,2025 07:00:14 AM

It is clear we need public-private partnerships to strengthen conservation, but they must be accountable

Fri, Mar 14, 2025

How I went from cricket fanatic to cricket apatheticSubscriber Only

February 28,2025 07:50:04 AM

There's much to remember, and revel in nostalgia, about the sport from the past

Fri, Feb 28, 2025

We could broadly classify the consumption of political news content under three different kinds of media platforms

Derek O’Brien writes: How to be a visible politicianSubscriber Only

February 14,2025 07:04:50 AM

Those who can harness the power of different kinds of media platforms will win the perception battle

Fri, Feb 14, 2025

nirmala sitharaman budget, Union Budget 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: Notes from my Parliament DiarySubscriber Only

February 03,2025 06:55:49 AM

What to expect, and what not to, in the Budget Session.

Mon, Feb 03, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: How laws are passed under NDA – in silence, without consultationSubscriber Only

January 17,2025 06:58:55 AM

The ability to sidestep consultations without clearly defined criteria opens the door for arbitrary decisions, potentially resulting in laws that do not adequately reflect public. In essence, this undermines the fundamental aim of the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy

Fri, Jan 17, 2025

Derek O’Brien writes: Will the church please speak up?Subscriber Only

January 03,2025 07:27:04 AM

Church leadership needs to listen to the people and heed their concerns and insecurities

Sat, Jan 04, 2025

Derek O’ Brien writes: Guess who spoke the most in Parliament?Subscriber Only

December 20,2024 08:05:20 AM

Standout themes, fresh faces, drawn out odes, and a heartening birthday dinner - the House this winter witnessed a myriad of festive and memorable moments that won’t soon be forgotten.

Fri, Dec 20, 2024

Derek O’Brien writes: A list of laws that need to be repealedSubscriber Only

December 06,2024 04:15:08 AM

From UAPA to the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, here are some laws that must be repealed to ensure justice and liberty for all citizens.

Fri, Dec 06, 2024

Derek O’Brien writes: Indian cricket commentary on radio needn’t be mediocreSubscriber Only

November 22,2024 04:20:48 AM

Except for four or five commentators, Indian cricket commentary on radio is a droning litany of facts and figures, and nothing else. No colour, no context, no history, no banter. This is a lost opportunity

Fri, Nov 22, 2024