Thayil Jacob Sony George, popularly known as TJS George, the titan of Indian journalism, passed away at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru on Friday. He was 97.
George was widely respected for his powerful writing, often marked by fearlessness, satire and sarcasm. The Indian government awarded him Padma Bhushan in 2011, for his outstanding contributions to literature and education. George was also conferred the RedInk Award for Lifetime Achievement in the field of Indian journalism. He received Rajyotsava Prashasti in 2008 and Kerala’s highest media recognition, the Swadeshabhimani-Kesari Award, in 2019.
George began his journalism career in 1950 at The Free Press Journal in Mumbai. Over the years, he worked with several major publications, including the International Press Institute, The Searchlight, and the Far Eastern Economic Review. He later went on to become the Founding Editor of Asiaweek in Hong Kong.
George was the first editor to be charged with sedition in free India for striving to expose the corruption in Bihar’s KB Sahay-led government, in 1965, as he worked as the editor of The Searchlight in Patna. V K Krishna Menon, then Defence Minister, appeared in court on his behalf.
In 1975, he set up Asiaweek—an English-language news magazine focusing on Asia—in Hong Kong, as its founding editor.
George was the Editorial Advisor of The New Indian Express and one of the forces behind the Asian College of Journalism – India’s finest journalism school. He wrote a widely read weekly column, Point of View, until 2022, till the age of 94. He wrote more than 1300 columns in 25 years, tackling any problems challenging democracy – from corruption, religious intolerance to social injustice.
In his final column, George wrote: “Some of us feel that we should not criticise our own country. Some feel exactly the other way — that a big country like ours needs to be cautioned all the way about pitfalls. All arguments have their own supporters and their own critics, their own validities and their own drawbacks. But there is something not right if a country and its rulers start feeling that they should not be criticised at all — and especially by newspaperwallahs,” he wrote.
The fourth of eight siblings, TJS was born on May 7, 1928 in Kerala, India to Thayil Thomas Jacob, a magistrate, and Chachiamma Jacob, a homemaker. He graduated from Madras Christian College with an honours in English Literature before embarking on his journalistic career.
He wrote twenty books that include – The First Refuge of Scoundrels: Politics in Modern India, Ghoshayatra, Lessons in Journalism – The Story of Pothan Joseph, MS: A Life in Music, Askew: A Short Biography of Bangalore and The Dismantling Of India.
He lived in Bangalore with his wife Ammu George. He has a daughter, journalist Sheba Thayil and a son, Man Booker-shortlisted writer Jeet Thayil. American television journalist Raj Mathai is his nephew.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah offered his condolences on X: “Saddened by the passing of veteran journalist, editor & author T J S George. With his sharp pen and uncompromising voice, he enriched Indian journalism for over six decades. He was a true public intellectual who made readers think, question and engage. My heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues and countless admirers.”
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook)
Christ & Co’s Editorial team was honoured to know this fine gentleman and great visionary. Rest in peace, sir. Our condolences and prayers to your family.
