An endowment fund of ₹1.5 lakh would be established in George's name to recognize journalists who work impartially at the national level.
Published Oct 25, 2025 | 8:08 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 25, 2025 | 8:08 PM
Thayil Jacob Sony George (7 May 1928 - 3 October 2025)
Synopsis: A sharp-minded social and political commentator, a mentor to many, and a fearless voice against power, TJS George’s career stretched across the better part of a century — a journalistic life that began in the years of India’s independence and continued into the 21st century.
Member of the Legislative Council K Shivakumar has announced that an endowment award for editors would be instituted at the national level in the name of senior journalist TJS George.
He announced the plan on Saturday, 25 October, while receiving an honour and speaking at the Karnataka Media Academy.
Shivakumar recalled that he had already established the “Mookanayaka Dr BR Ambedkar Endowment Award” in the Karnataka Media Academy for columnists writing on social justice.
He also remembered that the recently deceased senior journalist George was an impartial journalist who would personally correct and mentor the reports of journalists.
He announced that an endowment fund of ₹1.5 lakh would be established in George’s name to recognise journalists who work impartially at the national level.
Legendary journalist Thayil Jacob Sony George, popularly known as TJS, passed away at 97 years old, on 3 October, in Bengaluru.
A sharp-minded social and political commentator, a mentor to many, and a fearless voice against power, his career stretched across the better part of a century — a journalistic life that began in the years of India’s independence and continued into the 21st century.
George’s professional life took root around the time of India’s independence and took a decisive step when he joined The Free Press Journal in Bombay in 1950.
Over his illustrious career, George had brought his journalistic prowess to institutions such as the International Press Institute, The Searchlight, and the Far Eastern Economic Review.
He was also instrumental in creating the Asian College of Journalism and has since trained generations of Indian journalists.
In 1975, he set up Asiaweek—an English-language news magazine focusing on Asia—in Hong Kong, as its founding editor.
Six years later, he returned to India, where he settled in Bengaluru with his family. Thereafter, his popular weekly column in The New Indian Express, Point of View, became a space for him to continue to raise his voice against corruption, social injustice, and religious intolerance.
He remained a columnist for 25 years, till June 2022.
In his several-decades-long career, George has written several books, including Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore, The Life and Times of Nargis, Krishna Menon: A Biography and his most recent opus, The Dismantling of India: In 35 Portraits — an irreverent compilation of essays about politicians, movie stars, criminals, musicians, industrialists, and activists.
