Derek O Brien – Author, NDTV.com

Opinion: Nirbhaya Fund Remains Unspent. Happy Women's Day

Derek O'Brien | Tuesday March 07, 2017

From 2013 to 2017, the Rs 3,000 crore in the Nirbhaya Fund has remained almost entirely unspent. In 2016 and 2017, the Finance Minister didn't even mention women's safety in his Budget speech. It's back to normal.

Opinion: 10 Tips For Mumbai, With Love From Kolkata

Derek O'Brien | Monday February 27, 2017

Following the municipal elections in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai, I've been struck by the cynicism and apathy in the media and even among politicians. They appear convinced that our cities are irredeemable and nothing can be done to rescue them.

Opinion: Dear Suresh Prabhu, Pause On Bullet Trains To See This

Derek O'Brien | Monday February 20, 2017

In India, the railways serve a social as well as an economic purpose. That is why not every Indian Railways project, investment or train service is seen in commercial terms but considered with regard to the connectivity and developmental purposes it serves. Railway hospitals and infrastructure, for instance, help a larger community in the places they are located in.

Opinion: <i>Chinnamma</i> Has Not Replaced <i>Amma</i> In Breast Pocket Photos

Opinion: Chinnamma Has Not Replaced Amma In Breast Pocket Photos

Derek O'Brien | Sunday February 12, 2017

The first segment of the Budget Session of Parliament had its interesting moments for me, especially as MPs began to gather in Central Hall and discuss the new political challenges of the New Year. Central Hall is formally used only once each year: for the address by the President to the joint sitting of both Houses. For the rest of the period, it is an exclusive coff...

Opinion: The BJP's Social Media Armies Seek To Divide

Derek O'Brien | Sunday February 05, 2017

The social media armies of the BJP have systematically threatened religious harmony and social peace in Bengal. I stressed this in the Rajya Sabha, explaining how "Digital India" was being turned into "Divisive India". The examples I gave should be scary and worrying for anybody in government. Out of nothing, a Twitter trend was created by manipulating timelines and u...

Opinion: Trinamool Will Skip Budget On Feb 1, Here's Why

Derek O'Brien | Sunday January 29, 2017

Parliament begins its Budget Session earlier than usual this year, on January 31, 2017. A day previously, on January 30, the all-party ritual will take place in Parliament House. This is meant to be a meeting of all parties to discuss the upcoming session and its broad agenda, but becomes an occasion for the government - and sometimes not just the government - to mout...

Opinion: No Party Picks A Politician's Child Without Thinking Of Winning

Derek O'Brien | Wednesday January 25, 2017

Is this first break deserved? No party contests an election to lose, even a single seat is not wasted. Therefore, if a ticket is given to a son or daughter of a senior politician or a late politician, it is rarely out of charity. It because the party believes the candidate's talent, worth, emotional appeal or tug to nostalgia will win him or her - and the party - that...

Opinion: As Usual, Government Ignores Principles For Budget On Feb 1

Derek O'Brien | Monday January 16, 2017

Every year the Union Budget is presented on the final day of February. This year, it has been brought forward to February 1. As it happens, this is only three days prior to elections in Punjab and Goa and just 10 days before the first vote is punched in Uttar Pradesh. Potentially, this advancing of the budget could jeopardize the election process, vitiate its fairness...

Opinion: Only PM And A Select Few Not Affected By Notes Ban

Derek O'Brien | Monday January 09, 2017

So now that the 50 days sought by the Prime Minister are behind us, how does one look back at the horror experience called demonetisation and its aftermath?

Opinion: What Modi's Speech Tonight Won't Tell You

Derek O'Brien | Saturday December 31, 2016

India was promised a miracle in 50 days starting D-day or demonetisation day on November 8. Well, here we are at the deadline, the miracle is nowhere in sight and the bad news just grows and grows - for ordinary people, for the economy, for the country. In a two-part series, I will bring to you 50 facts related to the 50 days. I hope to establish that 50 facts + 50 da...

Opinion: Missing In Parliament, Sachin And Rekha - Again

Derek O'Brien | Monday December 19, 2016

it was remarkable that during such an important and politically charged session, some of the stalwart nominated members of the Rajya Sabha were absent. Sachin Tendulkar continued to be missing from the crease - he hardly shows up - and Rekha made her usual guest appearance.

Opinion: 12 Sketchy Claims Made By Big <i>Jumla</i> Party Or BJP On Notes Ban

Opinion: 12 Sketchy Claims Made By Big Jumla Party Or BJP On Notes Ban

Derek O'Brien | Monday December 12, 2016

Following the demonetisation disaster, the BJP government has been undertaking a propaganda war on its citizens, determined to prove that demonetisation and the currency shortage are being welcomed across the country. This is a make-believe world, inhabited by BJP politicians and spokespersons, who have no idea of life outside the Lutyens' Delhi shakha and prime-time ...

Opinion: Surgical Strikes On Pak And Black Money Have Failed

Derek O'Brien | Monday December 05, 2016

This week, it will be a month since the Prime Minister made that dramatic November 8 demonetisation announcement. The decision to devalue Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, and the execution of the process of exchanging them for new notes, has proved to be a fiasco.

Opinion: Modi Must Find Solutions, Fantasy Surveys Won't Do

Derek O'Brien | Friday November 25, 2016

The government has to be answerable for all this and the leadership of the government needs to give an explanation for such a situation in parliament.

Opinion: Chaos Over Ban On Rs 500, Rs 1,000 Notes To Continue For Months

Derek O'Brien | Thursday November 10, 2016

From young working class people, in the informal sector, to retired and aged folk who keep some cash with them - not huge amounts for bankers and tycoons, just a little, but quite a significant sum for the individuals concerned - have suffered. The government may pretend this will be over in a matter of days. My guess is it will take months and the confusion will exte...

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