Veteran journalist and writer Thayil Jacob Sony George, widely known as TJS George, passed away on Friday. He was 97. A titan of Indian journalism and literature, TJS George was a Padma Bhushan awardee in 2011 for his outstanding contribution to literature and education. He also received Kerala’s highest media recognition, the Swadeshabhimani-Kesari Award, in 2019. He served as Chairman of the Asian College of Journalism.

Born on May 7, 1928, in Kerala, he was the fourth of eight siblings in the family of Thayil Thomas Jacob, a magistrate, and Chachiamma Jacob, a homemaker. Though his roots were in Thumpamon, Kerala, he spent much of his later life in Bangalore and Coimbatore with his wife, Ammu. He is survived by his children, Sheba Thayil and Jeet Thayil. Renowned American TV journalist Raj Mathai is his nephew.

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. As editorial advisor of The New Indian Express, George was a leading voice against social injustice, corruption, religious intolerance, and threats to democracy. His signature weekly column, ‘Point of View’, ran for 25 years, ending in June 2022, and reflected his lifelong commitment to fearless journalism.

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. A longtime observer of China, he returned to the country in 2008 after a decade-long gap to cover its preparations for the Olympics, producing a series of acclaimed articles on modern China. He also wrote notable biographies of personalities such as V K Krishna Menon, Nargis, M S Subbulakshmi, and former Singapore President Lee Kuan Yew.