Articles - Derek O'Brien

How this government is stifling the autonomy of education, one institute at a time

As a responsible Opposition, it is our duty to protect the country’s independent institutions. So whether it is our Parliament, judiciary, Election Commission, RBI, central investigative agencies, or others, it is time we defeated all attempts to undermine them and destroy their autonomy. It is these vital institutions that protect the citizen against state power,… Continue reading How this government is stifling the autonomy of education, one institute at a time

Parliament is the people’s voice. On EC, government is gagging it

Let me say this again. The government is accountable to Parliament. Parliament is accountable to the people. When Parliament is dysfunctional, the government is accountable to no one. Middle school civics books told us the three arms of the State are the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a body… Continue reading Parliament is the people’s voice. On EC, government is gagging it

Take The Bihar Quiz Challenge

1. Bihar is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If one is Nalanda University, which is the other? a) Barabar Caves b) Rohtasgarh Fort c) Mahabodhi Temple 2. Who is the international airport in Patna named after? a) Rajendra Prasad b) Jayaprakash Narayan c) LN Mishra 3. In 2025, Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest… Continue reading Take The Bihar Quiz Challenge

FIVE MEN WHO SOLD US DREAMS

There were other advertising greats. The only reason they do not feature in the list above is because I did not know them personally: Alyque Padamsee, Subhas Ghosal, Gerson da Cunha… and many more. To all of them: May you Rest In Perfection (RIP). Won’t you give me my flowers while I’m living/ And let… Continue reading FIVE MEN WHO SOLD US DREAMS

How To Lose Your Seat In 30 Days?

It has been quite a week in the Supreme Court. The Union Government’s petition against the Calcutta High Court’s ruling on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was dismissed. The High Court had directed that the 100-day work scheme be restarted in the state from August 1, 2025. This has vindicated what… Continue reading How To Lose Your Seat In 30 Days?

JOB CRISIS IS GOVERNANCE CRISIS

Public sector vacancies affect service delivery – from education to civil aviation, railways and healthcare. They also hurt national security. I have been writing for this newspaper for the last six years. When was the last time I did back-to-back columns on the same subject? Never. This is a first. A fortnight ago, the topic… Continue reading JOB CRISIS IS GOVERNANCE CRISIS

Why States, Not Centre, Should Get All The Credit For GST ‘Savings’

“If everything around seems dark, look again, you may be the light.” – Rumi During Diwali week, the Prime Minister was a de-light-ful winner of the national Fancy Dress Contest cosplaying as a brave soldier. You might have seen the reels by now and the blanket coverage. You might have also spotted a mugshot of… Continue reading Why States, Not Centre, Should Get All The Credit For GST ‘Savings’

Indians Are Loving Their Music Concerts … But Not Their Venues

Rapper and songwriter Travis Scott will hustle onto stage in Delhi this coming weekend. Music to the ears of rap aficionados. Not my scene. But a month later, one hopes to be at the concert in the capital by the Oscar and seven-time Grammy-winning musician, Jon Batiste. From Coldplay to Ed Sheeran to Guns N’… Continue reading Indians Are Loving Their Music Concerts … But Not Their Venues

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

Special Intensive Revision. Corruption. Caste equations. Out-migration. Education. Yes, Bihar is weeks away from speaking its mind. Like any election — experts, observers and shoot-in-the-dark psephologists are deconstructing “strategy” and “stance”. Over the next few weeks, your neighbour, your niece in her second year of undergraduate studies, and your uncle will turn into electoral pundits.… Continue reading India is staring at one of its biggest crises: Unemployment of the educated

Books will survive the AI invasion, if their fate is in the hands of women

A friend told me not to do a column on this subject. It is completely pointless writing about three women, international literary rock stars, who get thousands of column centimetres of media attention and are feted all over the world. Why bother to write a column on these three much-decorated writers? They get enough. In… Continue reading Books will survive the AI invasion, if their fate is in the hands of women