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An Unforgettable Encounter with Derek O’Brien

Growing up, television was everything. Back then, there weren’t endless channels or on-demand options, but the few shows we had became cultural phenomena. Mahabharata, Ramayana, Alif Laila (Arabian Nights), and, of course, live cricket matches were staples of our childhood. Amidst all these, one show stood out for me—a quiz show hosted by the charismatic Derek O’Brien.

I was fascinated by his impeccable English, his energy, and the way he made knowledge seem so exciting. I used to dream of speaking English like him one day. Over time, as childhood slipped into adulthood, I lost track of the show and, to my regret, never realized when it stopped airing. But Derek O’Brien, the quizmaster, remained etched in my memory as someone I admired deeply.

Fast forward to an ordinary evening. I was busy at my desk when two gentlemen approached me, looking for a package. They looked very Indian, and one of them asked, “Are you from India?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“What part of India?”

“I’m from the Northeast,” I said.

“Do you speak Bengali?” he asked.

As soon as I replied in Bengali, the conversation took a lively turn. I’m from Tripura, and my Bengali isn’t the same as Kolkata’s. He immediately picked up on that and said he had guessed I might be from that region. We chatted for a good 10-15 minutes in Bengali, sharing jokes and stories. It felt warm and familiar, like talking to an old friend.

After he found his package, he told me to trash the packaging and took the item. As he was leaving, I casually asked his name. Instead of answering, he asked me a question:

“Do you know much about Indian politics?”

“Of course,” I replied confidently.

“Okay, name some of the major political parties.”

I listed BJP, Congress, and CPIM off the top of my head. He nodded, smiled, and then asked, “What about Mamata Banerjee’s party?”

“Oh, yes, the Trinamool Congress,” I said, feeling a bit proud of myself.

Then, the other gentleman leaned in and said, “He’s an author and a politician, you know.”

“Good to know,” I replied politely, still clueless about what was unfolding.

As they prepared to leave, I asked again for his name. This time, the other gentleman told me to Google it. Intrigued, I opened my computer, and he began spelling it out, letter by letter:

“D-E-R-E-K O-B-R-I-E-N.”

My jaw dropped. “No way!” I exclaimed, stunned. Standing in front of me was the Derek O’Brien—my childhood hero. The man who had sparked my love for language and learning.

We shook hands, and he asked if I would be working the next day. I nodded, still in disbelief. It was a surreal moment.

Later that night, someone told me Derek O’Brien was looking for me because he wanted the package I had thrown in the trash. That evening, he introduced me to his wife and his best friend and his wife. We ended up having a lovely time together, watching Disney fireworks and chatting about life, politics, and memories.

The next morning, we met again. This time, the conversations were deeper and even more delightful. Before leaving, he gifted me a copy of his book, Who Cares About Parliament?, and suggested a famous restaurant my wife and I should visit.

As we said goodbye, we hugged like old friends, and he invited me to visit him if I ever came to India. Later, he even sent me a message on WhatsApp.

I meet many people in my daily life, from ordinary folks to famous celebrities. But meeting Derek O’Brien felt different. It was like meeting someone I had known forever, someone dear to my heart. It wasn’t just about meeting a famous person—it was about reconnecting with a piece of my childhood in the most unexpected and beautiful way.

Life has a funny way of surprising us, and this encounter will remain one of the most cherished moments of my life.

 

Joy Sobhanian

Joy Sobhanian is a person who loves to read, write, and travel. He finds joy in expressing his thoughts and ideas through writing blogs and articles. He is also an enthusiastic traveler and enjoys meeting new people, learning about their culture and way of life. Jashim believes in the unity of humanity, and that we all belong to one family. He is a person who is knowledgeable, curious, open-minded and well-rounded individual.

Joy Sobhanian
Joy Sobhanianhttps://jashimsobhanian.com
Joy Sobhanian is a person who loves to read, write, and travel. He finds joy in expressing his thoughts and ideas through writing blogs and articles. He is also an enthusiastic traveler and enjoys meeting new people, learning about their culture and way of life. Jashim believes in the unity of humanity, and that we all belong to one family. He is a person who is knowledgeable, curious, open-minded and well-rounded individual.

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