Bengaluru: TJS George, acclaimed journalist, author and columnist, passed away on Friday at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru. He was 97. Hospital officials said he had been undergoing treatment and succumbed to a heart attack.

TJS achieved distinction internationally as a professional author, political columnist and biographer with several major works to his credit. A graduate of Madras Christian College with an honours degree in English Literature, he began his career in 1950 at 'The Free Press Journal' in Mumbai. He later worked with the 'International Press Institute', 'The Searchlight' and the 'Far Eastern Economic Review', before becoming the founding editor of 'Asiaweek' in Hong Kong.

In India, he was associated closely with 'The New Indian Express', serving as Editorial Advisor. For 25 years, until June 2022, his widely read weekly column 'Point of View' took aim at social injustice, corruption, religious intolerance and rising populist threats to democracy.

He also authored several influential books, including 'The First Refuge of Scoundrels: Politics in Modern India' (2003), a collection of his columns, and 'M.S.: A Life in Music' (2004), a biography of legendary Carnatic musician M.S. Subbulakshmi. His works combined literary craft with political insight, cementing his place as one of India’s most respected public intellectuals.

In 2011, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to literature and journalism.