Kochi: Veteran journalist Thayil Jacob Sony George, popularly known as TJS George, 97, passed away at a Private hospital in Bengaluru on Friday, Manorama reported.
Winner of Padma Bhushan in 2011, received Kerala’s highest media recognition Swadeshabhimani-Kesari Award, in 2019.
He was Chairman of the Asian Institute of Journalism.
George spent much of his life in Bangalore and Coimbatore with his wife, Ammu. He is survived by his children, Sheba Thayil and Jeet Thayil. American TV journalist Raj Mathai is his nephew.
George graduated from Madras Christian College in English Literature. He joined the Free Press Journal in Mumbai in 1950. 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.
He was editorial advisor of The New Indian Express.
George used the media to fight against social injustice, corruption, religious intolerance, and threats to democracy. George ended his dare devil journalistic journey in June 2022.
George was the first newspaper editor imprisoned in independent India for opposing Bihar Chief Minister K B Sahay in 1965.
V K Krishna Menon, then Defence Minister, appeared in court on his behalf for his bail. His book ‘Ghoshayatra’, based on his journalistic career, drew attention.
Newspaper publisher Ramnath Goenka counted him as a personal friend.
He produced a series of acclaimed articles on modern China and SouthEastAsia. He wrote notable articles first Defence Minister V K Krishna Menon, actor Nargis, singer M S Subbulakshmi, and former Singapore President Lee Kuan Yew.
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TJS George passes away
