MUMBAI: TJS George, veteran journalist, author and columnist known for his incisive writing and uncompromising editorial independence, passed away on Friday (October 3, 2025) due to age-related complications. He was 97.
A Padma Bhushan awardee, George was among the most respected figures in Indian English journalism, known for his sharp political analysis and fearless commentary.
Born on May 7, 1928, in Kerala, George was the fourth child of Thayil Thomas Jacob, a magistrate, and Chachiamma Jacob. He graduated with honours in English Literature from Madras Christian College before beginning his journalistic career in the 1950s with The Free Press Journal in Mumbai.
Over the decades, he held senior editorial roles at The Searchlight, The Free Press Journal and the Far Eastern Economic Review, and later became the founding editor of Asiaweek in Hong Kong. In India, he served as editorial adviser to The New Indian Express, where his widely read weekly column, Point of View, ran for 25 years until June 2022.
George was known for his unwavering stand against corruption, social injustice, and communal intolerance. His columns often questioned power and highlighted issues of public concern with clarity and conviction.
An accomplished author, George wrote several biographies and political works, including Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore, The Life and Times of Nargis, Krishna Menon: A Biography, and The Dismantling of India: In 35 Portraits: a collection of essays on politicians, artists, activists, and public figures.
In recognition of his contributions to journalism and literature, he received several awards including the Padma Bhushan (2011), Rajyotsava Award (2007), Vakkom Moulavi Memorial Award (2024), and Kesari Media Award (2017), among others.
Through a career spanning more than seven decades, TJS George remained a steadfast voice of reason and integrity in Indian journalism: a writer who never hesitated to speak truth to power. His legacy continues to inspire generations of journalists and readers alike.