Veteran journalist T.J.S George dies at 97

• Veteran journalist and author Thayil Jacob Sony George passed away in Bengaluru on October 3. He was 97.

• A titan of Indian journalism and literature, T.J.S. George was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2011.

• In 2019, he received Kerala’s highest media recognition, the Swadeshabhimani-Kesari Award.

• George was born on May 7, 1928 in Thumpamon, Kerala. 

• He graduated from Madras Christian College with honours in English literature before beginning his illustrious career in 1950 at ‘The Free Press Journal’ in Mumbai. Over decades, he contributed to numerous publications, including the ‘International Press Institute’, ‘The Searchlight’, ‘Far Eastern Economic Review’, and became the founding editor of ‘Asiaweek’ in Hong Kong.

• Returning to India, he joined ‘The New Indian Express’ as editorial adviser, and gained acclaim for his widely read weekly column, Point of View, which he wrote for 25 years until 2022.

• In 1965, George was jailed for opposing Bihar Chief Minister K.B. Sahay, becoming the first newspaper editor imprisoned in independent India. V.K. Krishna Menon, then Defence Minister, appeared in court on his behalf. 

• His book ‘Ghoshayatra’, based on his journalistic career, drew attention.

• He also wrote notable biographies of personalities such as V.K. Krishna Menon, Nargis, M.S. Subbulakshmi, and former Singapore President Lee Kuan Yew.

• Author-poet Jeet Thayil is his son.