RIP TJS | A journalist who experienced the romance of profession in great measure

At a time when journalism as a profession is facing existential crisis, everyone will remember TJS as one who experienced the romance of it in great measure.

Eminent journalist and author Thayil Jacob Sony George, more known as T J S George in the fourth estate, breathed his last at the Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru on Friday (October 3).

The 97-year-old, who is a Padma Bhushan awardee, was widely respected for his incisive writings, often marked by satire and sarcasm.

He was the Editorial Advisor of The New Indian Express and earned fame for his widely read weekly column, Point of View, which he wrote for 25 years until 2022, continuing till the age of 94, reflecting his total commitment to 'journalism of courage'.

Hailing from Kerala, TJS spent most of his life in Bengaluru and later in Coimbatore.

He is survived by his children, Sheba Thayil and author-poet Jeet Thayil. US TV journalist Raj Mathai is his nephew.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar condoled TJS' demise in a post on social media.

It may be recalled that in 2011, the Central government had honoured TJS with the Padma Bhushan for his outstanding contributions to literature and journalism.

The first Indian editor to be charged with sedition in the country, TJS has penned several books, including 'The First Refuge of Scoundrels: Politics in Modern India (2003), 'M.S.: A Life in Music', a biography on famed Carnatic musician M S Subbulakshmi, 'Lessons in Journalism – The Story of Pothan Joseph' and 'Krishna Memon: A Biography.'

He has also served as Asian Institute of Journalism's chairman.

During his long stint with The New Indian Express TJS contributed 1,300 columns over a period of 25 years before laying down his pen on June 12, 2022 with magnum opus Now is the time to say Goodbye which senior journalist R K Radhakrishnan had shared on X.

At a time when journalism as a profession is itself facing an existential crisis, everyone will remember TJS as one of those, who experienced the romance of journalism in great measure.

RIP TJS!

(with inputs from agencies)