Veteran journalist T.J.S. George.
| Photo Credit: file photo
T.J.S. George, veteran journalist, biographer and columnist, who left a mark on Indian English journalism through his incisive commentary and uncompromising independence, passed away on Friday (October 3, 2025) due to age-related complications. He was 97.According to family sources, he had undergone a renal surgery and was in a private hospital for a week. Mr. George is survived by his son — writer and poet Jeet Thayil — and daughter — journalist Sheba Thayil. His wife, Ammu George, predeceased him.The funeral will be on Sunday (October 5, 2025) at the Hebbal crematorium.A Padma Bhushan awardee, Mr. George was born on May 7, 1928, as the fourth child of Thayil Thomas Jacob, a magistrate, and his wife Chachiamma Jacob.He went on to graduate from the Madras Christian College with an honours in English literature before embarking on his journalistic career in the 1950s. He held senior editorial positions in India and abroad. International stintHe achieved distinction internationally as a professional author, political columnist, and biographer with a series of major books.He began his career in The Free Press Journal in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1950. He moved through the International Press Institute, The Searchlight, and the Far Eastern Economic Review to become the founding editor of Asiaweek (Hong Kong).He was the Editorial Adviser of The New Indian Express. One of the best known columnists in India, he continued his fight against social injustice, corruption, religious intolerance and in later years right-wing populist tendencies that threatened democracy through his weekly ‘Point of View’ column in The New Indian Express which ran for 25 years and ended in June, 2022.Over the decades, he became a respected voice who spoke truth to power, often challenging entrenched narratives with independence of mind.An accomplished author, Mr. George wrote several biographies and works of political analysis, including Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore, The Life and Times of Nargis, Krishna Menon: A Biography and his most recent The Dismantling of India: In 35 Portraits — an irreverent compilation of essays about politicians, movie stars, criminals, musicians, industrialists, and activists.His writings reflected his wide reading, cosmopolitan outlook, and deep commitment to democratic values.Many awardsApart from the Padma Bhushan that was conferred upon him in 2011, he was honoured with the Rajyotsava Award in 2007 for his contribution to journalism and literature.His other awards include Vakkom Moulavi Memorial Award (2024); Kesari Media Award (2017); Kamala Surayya Award (2017); Azeekodu Award (2013); Basheer Puraskaram Award (2008); Mohammed Koya Journalism Award (2005)and Patrika Academy Award (2001).Colleagues and readers remembered him as a rare intellectual who combined rigorous analysis with elegant prose.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condoled Mr. George’s demise. In a post on ‘X’, he said, “Saddened by the passing of veteran journalist, editor and 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.”Tributes poured in from journalists and writers. In a condolence message, The Press Club of Bangalore, hailed him as a towering figure whose voice, spanning over decades, set a gold standard for integrity and insightful commentary. Published - October 03, 2025 07:38 pm IST
