Neil O'Brien, credited for pioneering quizzing in the country passed away in the city on Friday. He was 82.
Saddest tweet I've ever written. Dad Neil O'Brien gone.Passed at home Kolkata,quiz pioneer, ex ICSE chief, AI community icon, educationist
— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) >June 24, 2016
Neil O'Brien, former MP of the Lok Sabha and erstwhile member of West Bengal Assembly is survived by his wife and three sons.
“Extremely saddened to hear about the passing away of the very talented Neil O'Brien. He will be missed by lakhs of quiz fans across India,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet.
One of the first quiz masters Neil O'Brien had conducted the first well-organised, formal quiz in 1967 at Christ the King Church Parish Hall in the city. He served as the chairman of CISCE, an all India examination body, which conducts the ICSE and ISC Examinations from December 1993 till July 2011. Mr. O'Brien also held the post of chairman of Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations ( CISCE).
“His wide ranging interest in education played a role in the development of schools affiliated to the Council and helped in the expansion of education in our country,“Gerry Arathoon, Chief Executive and Secretary of CISCE, said in a statement.
