T.J.S. George — A Giant Who Preferred the Shadows
T.J.S. George, who passed away at the age of 97 on Friday,
October 3, was a towering figure in Indian journalism — one who never sought
the limelight that so often follows success. He preferred to remain in the
background, letting his words, not his photograph, speak for him.
As the founder-editor of Asiaweek, George’s
contribution to journalism was immense and enduring. He inspired generations of
journalists, not through lofty speeches or social charm, but through sheer
professional brilliance and an unyielding demand for excellence. He was the
Editorial Advisor of the New Indian Express for more than three decades
T.J.S., as he was fondly known, was unlike any other editor.
Stern, uncompromising, and exacting, he had little patience for mediocrity.
Those who failed to meet his standards often found themselves reassigned—or
quietly shown the door. Yet, for those who earned his respect, his regard was
deep and lasting.
He was both a brilliant writer and a master sub-editor. As
one reporter once quipped with equal parts awe and amusement, “Only the byline
is mine!” — so complete was the transformation of his story under T.J.S.’s red
pencil. Such was his editorial precision. Every word had to count, every line
had to carry weight. Economy of expression was his trademark. His prose was
razor-sharp, often laced with wit and that unmistakable streak of sarcasm that
made his columns such a delight to read.
Behind that formidable exterior, however, was a man with a
soft corner—especially for the sports desk. He would often invite us home for a
drink, offering the finest Scotch while himself sipping his favourite Khoday’s
XXX Rum, which he insisted was unmatched.
He cared deeply about the journalistic fraternity and took a
keen interest in the Press Club’s well-being—offering suggestions for
improvement, even donating chairs for the bar room so that members could relax
with a book. During my tenure as General Secretary of the Club, he was a
familiar presence every evening between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m., unfailingly
punctual and always observant. He rarely missed a Press Club election and would
relish the vegetarian fare with a characteristic smile, saying, “I’m a Namboodiri
when it comes to food.”
George helped shape many careers in journalism, not by
hand-holding but by inspiring through example. His influence can be seen in
several stalwarts of Kannada journalism, including H.R. Ranganath of Public TV
and Vishweshwar Bhat. Though he wasn’t one for small talk, when in the right
mood, he was excellent company — full of humour and stories.
He resisted technology, preferring his trusted typewriter
long after computers became standard. Yet, his columns—written for an
uninterrupted 25 years—remained fresh, relevant, and incisive. They dripped
with irony, depth, and insight into India’s political landscape.
His many books further cemented his place among the finest
minds in Indian media, and he was fittingly honoured with the Padma Bhushan.
T.J.S. George never courted publicity, never bent to
political winds, and never diluted his convictions. In his passing, journalism
has lost not just a doyen but a giant — one who walked tall without ever
needing the spotlight.
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