THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “I feel you don’t want to be old. You want to be active until the last minute — both in mind and body. Entrepreneurship is a mental illness and you suffer from it,” wrote writer and journalist M P Narayana Pillai in the foreword to ‘Ghoshayathra’, T J S George’s memoir.

Pillai’s words proved prophetic. According to his brother T J Mathew, TJS was active until he was hospitalised in Bengaluru. “His spirits were down after wife’s demise. Still, he was active in his own way,” he said.

Mathew spent two days at the hospital before returning to Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. “I’m the only surviving sibling and he was visibly happy when I met him. ‘Glad that you came,’ he said, pressing my hand,” Mathew recalled.

“He didn’t talk much. Whenever he did, he spoke with usual clarity, with the sense of humour intact. On a lighter vein, he said he felt very comfortable there and would miss the hospital when discharged,” he said.

The last time TJS visited Mathew’s house was three years ago, when he arrived in the Kerala capital to receive the Swadeshabhimani-Kesari award. “He visited my home as well. He never misses the opportunity when he comes to Kerala,” Mathew said, adding that his brother left this world after living a full life.

According to M K Das, a former resident editor of The New Indian Express and his long-time colleague, TJS was an encyclopaedia on newspaper publishing. “Besides being one of the finest writers, he had intimate knowledge on every aspect of bringing out a newspaper — from printing technology to stylesheet, layout, and language,” he said.

TJS stood out for his independent, courageous journalism, Das pointed out. “He aired his opinion courageously, unmindful of the consequences. Be it Narendra Modi or Sonia Gandhi, he never minced words,” he said.

Writer Prabha Varma remembered TJS as a person of global stature. “There is none like him. He would speak and write on politics, literature, and many other topics authentically. I had a long chat with him when he was in Thiruvananthapuram to receive the Swadeshabhimani award. Once again, I was thoroughly impressed,” Varma said. Commitment and ethics were TJS’ hallmarks, Varma added.

Tribute to legend

Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister

TJS George was a distinguished journalist who transformed his editorial career into a significant chapter in the history of Indian journalism. He was a proud contributor from Kerala to Indian journalism and the global media world. throughout his career, he remained steadfast in his commitment to fearless, independent, and principled journalism. during times of political turbulence – notably the Emergency – he stood firm in defence of democratic values and civil liberties, emerging as a bold and unwavering voice for liberal journalism. His life is a testament to his opposition to all tendencies that endangered democratic consciousness

V D Satheesan, Leader of Opposition

TJS George was among the finest journalists Kerala has gifted to the nation and the world. a fearless voice in Indian journalism, he firmly believed that the pen was a powerful weapon. He was a writer who simply could not remain silent. Writing was not just a profession but a calling – and he answered it time and again. With sharp insights and a distinctive literary style, his words left a lasting impact on public discourse.

Shashi Tharoor, MP

Saddened to hear about the passing of veteran journalist TJS George. a true giant of Indian journalism, his sharp wit and powerful ‘Point of View’ columns will be deeply missed. His contributions to literature and fearless commentary leave an indelible mark. His books, including treasury of Indian Quotations, will live long

K C Venugopal, AICC gen secy

TJS George wrote ‘Point of View’, a column in The New Indian Express that offered insightful critiques and analysed political events in both historical and social contexts, guided political students for more than a quarter of a century. TJS George, the towering journalist known for his relentless criticism of governments, was always a voice that questioned power without hesitation. I had been following his column until he bid farewell to active journalism three years ago