Inside Parliament: Views from the Front Row
Derek O’Brien dominated Indian television as the country’s most well-known quizmaster for over two decades, asking questions to millions across India. Now he plays a key role in the Rajya Sabha, raising difficult questions from the front row in the Upper House. One of the most candid, courageous voices of the Opposition, O’Brien is articulate, incisive and provocative – qualities that are apparent in his writing. In this book, comprising his best political essays, Derek O’Brien reflects on the state of the nation, offering insights from a unique vantage point – inside Parliament. Never afraid of controversy or contention, he covers topics ranging from the Constitution, the effects of a hasty GST rollout and demonetization to the media, the lessons he’s learnt as an MP and the 2019 elections. Thought-provoking and captivating at once, Inside Parliament is required reading for all interested in understanding today’s India and all who care about its future.
Who Cares About Parliament
Derek O'Brien, India's favourite quizmaster and now an award-winning parliamentarian, has observed parliamentary proceedings from the first row of the Rajya Sabha while playing a key role for the Opposition and raising difficult questions. In Who Cares about Parliament: Speaking Up to Protect India's Great Institution, he explains how Parliament has been undermined in the last decade. The book narrates how rules, precedents and conventions established over the years have been bypassed and ignored; how this glorious institution is being mocked at and destroyed. With an in-depth insight into legislative procedures, O'Brien reminds us that Parliament is not just a new building; it is an establishment with old traditions and values-it is the foundation of Indian democracy. Who Cares about Parliament is a must-read for those who want a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by our nation today.
My Way: Success Mantras from 12 Achievers
What is success? Is it the natural goal of all human pursuit? Is it measurable in numbers: rupees and dollars, metres and miles, square feet and column inches? In a world obsessed with being successful, it is important to understand what success really means. In a series of essays by people who have reached the pinnacle of their professions, My Way delves into the pressures, motivations and mindsets that bring about success in any venture. N.R. Narayana Murthy describes certain crucial events that went towards making Infosys a multibillion-dollar company; Donald Trump talks about how it was his unshakeable belief that he would not be a failure that pulled him back from the worst setback of his career; M.S. Dhoni tells us about the physical and mental conditioning that are imperative for a champion; Derek O'Brien analyses some lessons he learnt in tough negotiation and maintaining core competency (among other business skills) from Mother Teresa. What emerges from the voices of the remarkable men and women featured in this book is the significance of the values of integrity. fortitude, aspiration and vision. Skilfully edited by Derek O'Brien, who has himself constantly striven to excel, My Way: Success Mantras of 12 Achievers will inform, excite and motivate its readers in equal measure.
Speak Up, Speak Out: My Favourite Elocution Pieces and How to Deliver Them
Are you stumped about what to speak at the upcoming elocution contest? Are you tired of surfing the Internet searching for a piece that is right for you? Are you wondering how you can speak more confidently? Then this handy collection is just what you need. It has a specially and carefully selected anthology of poetry, prose and speeches, suitable for junior, middle and senior school students. Each piece comes with a short introduction by Derek, along with his recommendations on how best to deliver it. So, grab this book and let Derek O’Brien take you into a world of literary masterpieces and you will discover that all you need to be a winner is to speak up, and speak it right!
Derek Introduces The Constitution and Parliament of India
The Constitution of India is a remarkable document that lays down the rules, principles and ideas according to which India is governed. It delineates the basic framework of various institutions and specifies the rights and duties of citizens. Every citizen needs to know about it in order to preserve the spirit of democracy and equality of independent India. In this book, Derek O’Brien tells in a simple and concise manner, how the Constitution came to be written, who were the people who shaped it and the concepts and thoughts that went into creating it. He also explains how the Parliament of India functions. Filled with hundreds of interesting facts as well as detailed informative entries, The Constitution and Parliament of India will instil a sense of pride about the country in readers and will also inspire them to be more responsible citizens.
Derek Introduces 100 Iconic Indians
Derek introduces is a new series of reference books that provides intelligent, relevant information on topics that every student needs to know. In 100 Iconic Indians, read about a hundred great people who changed the history of our nation. The story of India, is also the story of the extraordinary men and women who helped build this remarkable country. In this book, Derek O'Brien picks a hundred iconic Indians from among them and Introduces them to a new generation of readers From Chanakya to Mahatma Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar to Narayana Murthy, 100 Iconic Indians contains succinct biographies along with interesting anecdotes. ‘Good to Know’ facts and fun quizzes on each personality Divided into easy-to-refer sections such as Politics, Sports, Films Language and Literature, Art and Culture, History, and General, these remarkable stories are brought alive in a clear, concise and immensely readable style by one of the country's highest selling reference book writers.
Derek O'Brien's Essential Knowledge Quiz Book
Whether you're preparing for a quiz contest or a competitive exam, "Derek O'Brien's Essential Knowledge Quiz Book" has all the information you're looking for. This definitive quiz companion packs in 3000 questions that will test the mettle of any aspiring quiz enthusiast or ambitious young professional. There are no less than 1000 General Knowledge questions here, divided into fifty sections. In addition, there are 2000 questions on specialized subjects that range from the Indus Valley Civilization and Hindu Mythology to Earthquakes and the Italian Renaissance, and from Buddhism and Bill Gates to Comets and the FA Cup. For those looking to hone their skills for the quiz circuit, there are also sets of questions on favourites such as Indian Presidents and Prime Ministers, the Mughal period, Bollywood, Odd Cricket Stats and the Human Body. Set in a multiple-choice question format, "Derek O'Brien's Essential Knowledge Quiz Book" simulates the environment of an actual quiz show - readers will have hours of fun with it, whether they're quizzing alone or with friends and family.
Derek's Challenge: For a Smarter, Sharper and More Confident You
Derek's Challenge is a unique programme that currently reaches students in more than 1,500 schools across the country. It is a fresh approach to inform and educate and aims to provide schoolchildren with the tools for self-improvement. Through a series of fun and lively exercises, Derek's Challenge encourages logical thinking, builds creative expression, helps improve memory skills and aids in developing general awareness. So come, take up Derek's Challenge, and be a smarter, sharper and more confident person.
Derek's Picks: The Best Quizzes of Derek
"Personal favourites of Asia's no. 1 quizmaster"
Derek O'Brien has been entertaining us with his quizzes for two decades now. From his vast repertoire of questions that span the informative and educational thought-provoking facts and trivia, he has gleaned hundreds of his favourite sets for this unputdownable volume. The questions cover subjects as diverse as the Chinese New Year, coffee, crocodiles and Cleopatra to the Grammy Awards, Gujarat. Mars, swans, tsunams and West Asia. There are also sets of questions on famous personalities like Asta Bhonsle, Isaac Newton, Lady Diana, Pablo Picasso, Shakespeare and Winnie the Pooh. Each set tests both the extent and depth of the readers' knowledge on the subject Among the questions readers will find answers to in this book are:- Millions of years ago, which super-continent did Antarctica originally form a part of?
- What were the two styles of shading which Leonardo used to great effect in his paintings?
- What special feature of a camel's eyelids protects it from dust and sun?
- What is the study of fishes called?
The Best of Cadbury Bournvita Quiz Contest
Ace quizmaster Derek O’Brien is back, as the legendary Bournvita Quiz Contest airs on television again. Packed with questions from the first two seasons, the Bournvita Quiz Contest Quiz Book contains over 500 questions that will test your knowledge, wits and thinking skills . So if you want to be among the top quizzers in the country, or just want to hone your general knowledge, have fun answering these questions, and many many more. In 1863, cartoonist Thomas Nast was the first to paint whose definitive portrait? The name of what comes from the Arabic word meaning ‘that which prevents sleep’? During the 2011 census of India, what were people given so that they could figure out their dates of birth? Which Mughal emperor was the son of a Mughal emperor but not the grandson of one?
Challenge Your Mind: The Very Best of Derek O’Brien
Derek O’Brien has been synonymous with quizzing for three decades now. Starting as a quizmaster who worked on weekends conducting quizzes, he went from strength to strength and started his own quiz and knowledge company—Derek O’Brien and Associates. Over the years, Derek and his colleagues have conducted tens of thousands of quiz shows. In this book, he has chosen some of the best, most challenging and most informative questions that were asked in his path-breaking and entertaining Bournvita Quiz Contest series, as well as other quizzes conducted in schools. With this book, get ready to learn interesting facts across a range of subjects and to challenge your mind with the incomparable Derek O’Brien.
The Bournvita Quiz Contest Collector's Edition: Volume 2
A celebratory edition with 1000 questions! Which Nobel laureate wrote articles under the name Gul Makai? Hilsa is the national fish of which neighbouring country of India? In which organ of the human body would you find the aqueous humour? Which is the oldest national park in India? With fun Q&As carefully curated from the exhaustive twenty-year-old archives, this definitive book is a treat for all quiz aficionados who can choose from an array of fifty sections including:
- Art and Culture
- Science
- Politics
- Mythology
- Books and Authors
The Bournvita Quiz Contest Collector’s Edition: Volume 1
The award-winning Bournvita Quiz Contest started as a radio programme in 1972, then shifted to television in the 1990s. Since 1994, it has been hosted by Asia's best-known quizmaster, Derek O'Brien, in his inimitable style, and it holds the record for being the longest-running knowledge game show on Indian television. This definitive edition comprises a selection of the best Q & As from this iconic children's show. Featuring 1000 questions, carefully curated from the exhaustive twenty-year-old archives, this book is dotted with heartening anecdotes, fun trivia and thoughtful essays by people who worked on this muchloved show.
The Bournvita Quiz Contest Quiz Book 2014
The Bournvita Quiz Contest has been an integral part of growing up for countless schoolchildren across the country for over forty years now. Hosted by Derek O’Brien, it has been one of the most-watched quiz contests on Indian television since 1992. In 2014, this beloved show is back, with over 4,000 schools across eighty cities. In BQC Quiz Book 2014, Derek O’Brien brings together the best questions that are being asked on the latest season of the show, divided into sections such as History, Science, Geography, Language and Literature, Food, Sports for easy reference. Relevant, contemporary and fun, the questions here will test the reader’s knowledge and delight every quiz enthusiast.
The Bournvita Quiz Contest Quiz Book 2017
The Bournvita Quiz Contest (BQC) has been an integral part of growing up for countless schoolchildren across the country. Hosted by Derek O’Brien since 1992, the show has moved on to the digital age from television and is available on an exclusive mobile app. Dynamic and contemporary, BQC now reaches out to every corner of India and the world. In BQC Quiz Book 2017, Quizmaster Derek O’Brien brings together brand new questions from the show. These questions are relevant, fun and informative and will delight every quiz enthusiast, old and young.
BQC Quizbook 3: Exciting New Q & A from the Latest Season of the Iconic Quiz Show
Bournvita Quiz Contest started out in 1972 as a live quiz show, before moving on to being a weekly radio show. Since 1992, it has been hosted by Derek O'Brien and has been the country's longest-running quiz show on Indian television. In 2014 and 2015, it embraced the digital age fully. After the preliminary rounds that were conducted in 3500 schools across the country, the top teams vied for the BQC trophy in a final nail-biting series of episodes telecast online on YouTube. In BQC Quiz Book 3, Derek O'Brien brings together the best questions that were asked on the latest season of the show. The questions range in topics from history to science to language and literature to sports and more. Interesting and informative, this collection of questions will delight all quiz enthusiasts, old and young.
The General Knowledge Quiz Book
Which Indian film lost to Nights in Cabiria by one vote in the Best Foreign Language Film category in the Oscars? In which country were mock elections held on 21 April 2007 to prepare the people for the change to democracy? Who coined the name 'Invention Factory' for his research and development facility at Menlo Park? Test your General Knowledge quotient with more than 500 questions asked by everyone's favourite quizmaster Derek O'Brien. With topics ranging from Cartoon and Comics, Clothes, Famous Detectives to Harry Potter, Insects, History and Science Fiction, Derek's questions will take you through the A-Z of General Knowledge. Accompanied by fun facts in every section, these questions will puzzle and amaze every knowledge enthusiast.
The India A-Z Quiz Book
A discovery of India with the ace quizmaster! Which fort in Rajasthan did Rudyard Kipling refer to as the work of giants? What are you wearing if you have put on Saleem Shahi? Who is the first Indian to be dismissed for handling the ball in an ODI? Answer all these questions and more as Derek O'Brien takes you on a grand tour of India with over 600 questions that cover topics as diverse as Cricket, Food, Film, Geography, Music, Travel and others. Filled with information on famous Indians, landmarks, achievements, this A-Z of India is a quiz book that will help you know the country in a new and exciting way.
The School Quiz Book
Who was the author of Abhijñanashakuntalam? Which is the smallest ocean in the world? What is the fear of bees called? Which city was known as Prayag in ancient times? Find answers to these and more such questions in The School Quiz Book which serves as every school student's ready reference. Divided into subject categories such as Science, History, Geography and Literature, the questions in the book relate to what students may want to know. Derek O'Brien brings his years of expertise as quizmaster in creating these fun, relevant and interesting questions. The School Quiz Book is a treasure trove of knowledge that will delight and educate students across all ages.
The Sports Quiz Book
A collection of exciting and informative questions on sports, from one of India's most well-loved quizmasters. Who named Milkha Singh, who won India's first Commonwealth gold, 'The Flying Sikh? According to Usain Bolt, what inspired him to come up with his famous 'To Di World' victory pose? The 2010 film Invictus revolves around which sport? Which footballer was described as 'Pythagoras in boots' for the complexity and precision of his angled passes? Find the answers to these and many more in The Sports Quiz Book. In these pages, Derek O'Brien brings together an astonishing range of questions in categories that include Athletics, Badminton, Board Games, Boxing, Card Games, Entertainment and Sports, Formula 1, Fifa World Cup, Indian Premier League, Olympic Games, Tennis, Cricket-to name just a few. Also to be found after every chapter are fun, unusual facts and trivia about sports and a compilation of some of the best and most inspiring quotations by sportspersons. So whether you are a quiz buff, a sports maniac or just want to brush up your knowledge about every aspect of sports, The Sports Quiz Book is what you need to catch up on!
The Ultimate Bournvita Quiz Contest Book of Knowledge Volume 1
The Bournvita Quiz Contest (BQC) started as a radio programme in 1972, and continues to engage and entertain generations of quiz whizzes in India and abroad. It is legendary for its innovative blend of knowledge and entertainment. Having researched and presented the show since its television debut in 1994, Derek O'Brien, Asia's best-known quizmaster, has for the first time, made available a selection of these questions in two handy volumes. Divided into easy-to-refer sections, and combine with challenging IQ puzzles and fact pages, these questions showcase all that has made BQC a quiz show like no other. Read The Ultimate Bournvita Quiz Contest Book of Knowledge (Volumes 1 and 2) to grow, to gain knowledge, and to become a champion in life.
The Ultimate Bournvita Quiz Contest Book of Knowledge Volume 2
he Bournvita Quiz Contest (BQC) started as a radio programme in 1972, and continues to engage and entertain generations of quiz whizzes in India and abroad. It is legendary for its innovative ablend of knowledge and entertainment. Having researched and presented the show since its television debut in 1994, Derek O'brien, Asia's best-known quizmaster, has for the first time, made available a selection of these quiestions in two handy volumes. Divided into easy-to-refer sections, and combine with challenging IQ puzzles and fact pages, these questions showcase all that has made BQC a quiz show like no other. Read The Ultimate Bournvita Quiz Contest Book of Knowledge (Volumes 1 and 2) to grow, to gain knowledge, and to become a champion in life.
The Ultimate Bournvita Quiz Contest Book of Knowledge Volume 3
The Ultimate BQC Book of Knowledge Volume 3 brings together selected questions from the iconic Bournvita Quiz Contest television show. These questions have puzzled, delighted and enlightened quizzers and followers of this quiz contest. Now in this handy volume, some of the best questions have been compiled and arranged according to subjects. These include categories such as History, Literature, Maths, Geography and many more, all interspersed with informative and exciting Fun Facts sections. A treasure trove of knowledge and information, this book will be treasured by quiz enthusiasts everywhere.
The Ultimate Bournvita Quiz Contest Book of Knowledge Volume 4
The Ultimate BQC Book of Knowledge Volume 4 brings together selected questions from the iconic Bournvita Quiz Contest television show. These questions have puzzled, delighted and enlightened quizzers and followers of this quiz contest. Now in this handy volume, some of the best questions have been compiled and arranged according to subjects. These include categories such as History, Literature, Maths, India and many more, all interspersed with informative and exciting Fun Facts sections. A treasure trove of knowledge and information, this book will be treasured by quiz enthusiasts everywhere.
Ultimate India Quiz Book
Commemorating sixty years of India's independence and reflecting India's many facets, this definitive volume packs in 3000 questions in sixty chapters, testing the answering skills of any quiz-lover. Each chapter contains fifty questions on a range of subjects from ancient, medieval and modern India to alternative medicine, and fairs and festivals, Indian cricket, Indian diaspora, Hindi and regional films to science, traditional sport and youth affairs, travel, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Put your knowledge of India to the ultimate test with this valuable volume for facts, figures, events, history, literature, politics, and much more.
Derek O'Brien's Ultimate Sports Quiz Book
Sporting legends. Statistical curiosities. Little-known sporting facts. For sports buffs everywhere, this is a comprehensive quiz book, with a total of 1000 questions on subjects ranging from basketball, boxing, chess and golf to hockey, indoor sports, motorsports and tennis. For the serious sports enthusiast, there are specialized sets on topics like the English Premier League, One-Day and Test cricket, sports and entertainment, the Summer and Winter Olympics, and the World Cup Football. Supplementing the questions are 200 bonus factoids on various interesting aspects of the sporting world that will fascinate and intrigue the reader.
In the pages of this book, you will find out:- The name of the boxer who broke Muhammad Ali's jaw in their first fight.
- The NBA team for which Paula Abdul was a cheerleader
- The footballer on the Kolkata maidan who was nicknamed 'Bade Miyan'
- The legendary motorsports venue that is sometimes referred to as the 'Brickyard'
- The name of Sunil Gavaskar's last new-ball partner in Test cricket
- The tennis legend who strengthened his wrists by milking innumerable cows on his father's property
- What the 'sin bin' is in ice hockey
- The Vietnamese soldier from whom Tiger Woods got his name
- The colour of the goalkeeper's cap in water polo
- The football coach who was referred to as the 'Ayatollah of the Bench.'
Coming from the quiz bank of Derek O'Brien, Asia's best-known quizmaster, this is a quiz book that will provide hours of entertainment to readers of all ages.
The Ultimate Winning Minds Quiz Challenge
Take on the ultimate weekly quiz challenge by India’s ace quizmaster. Is quizzing your passion? Do you want to answer new quizzes regularly? Are you looking for questions that will enhance and test your knowledge? Derek O’Brien has prepared the perfect quiz book for every kind of quizzer—beginner or advanced. Take his weekly quiz set—there are 52 sets, one for every week of the year—and test your knowledge on topics ranging from history to science to sports, politics, music and more. So put on your thinking caps and get ready for a year of quizzing with Derek.
Best Quizzes Of Derek O'Brien: Volume 1
1500 top-drawer questions from Asia’s best-known quizmaster. Derek O’Brien is identified with top-class quizzing in India, for schoolchildren, professionals and quiz aficionados alike. From his vast range of questions that range from the informative and educational to curious facts and trivia, he has culled 1500 of his favorites, divided into seventy-five sets, for this very special book. The questions range from subjects as diverse as the Boston Tea Party, the Chinese New Year, Cleopatra and C.V. Raman to the Grammy Awards, Gujarat, Vasco da Gama and the Wright brothers. There are whole sets of questions also on famous personalities like Arundhati Roy, Asha Bhonsle, Charles Lindbergh, George Harrison, Isaac Newton, Martin Luther King Jr., Pablo Picasso and Winnie the Pooh. Each set contains twenty questions that will test both the depth and breadth of the readers’ knowledge on the subject. Among the questions readers will find answers to in this book are:
- By what name is Agra mentioned in the Mahabharata?
- Who is the author of a famous article titled ‘The Great Indian Rape Trick’?
- Which famous classical musician ran away from home after being denied a second serving of ghee?
- Who coined the term ‘information superhighway’?
- Which Indian prime minister accepted a spinning wheel as dowry?
- What did Phoolan Devi say she wanted to be reborn as?
- Which city did Jawaharlal Nehru describe as the ‘Oxford and Cambridge of India’?
- What was Queen Victoria’s first name?
Bumper Bournvita Quiz Contest
Which cartoon character is called Skipper Skræk' in Denmark? In Kerala, if you are eating karimeen, what would you be eating? What four-letter word best describes the stitching on a cricket ball? The Bournvita Quiz Contest has been the longest-running quiz show on Indian television. Since 1992 quizmaster Derek O'Brien has asked thousands of questions that have puzzled. delighted and been a source of knowledge for generations of quizzers. With the quiz now telecast on YouTube and with an interactive quiz app available for all to play along, the show has become more broad-based and appealing to people of various age groups. In Bumper BQC, DEREK O'BRIEN compiles some of the most interesting questions asked on the show. Ranging in topics from history to science to sports and even mathematics, and in sections that include multiple choices and what's the word, these questions will tickle the brain and get readers to think, recall and apply their knowledge in a unique way.
