With the passing away of Mr. George Verghese, another giant of Indian journalism exits from India's fourth estate. This gentle intellectual, committed to honesty and fair play, was tough in more ways than one.
To him, India and the welfare of its people, was the prime subject of reporting.
I will not forget those traumatic days in October 1962, when returning from the Se La Pass, we heard that the Chinese had outflanked and run over India's defence positions. India gave up the north bank of the River Brahmaputra, withdrew its army and administration et all.
George Verghese and I were the only two Indians who braved it out in Tezpur, a deserted city, in the company of half-a-dozen foreign correspondents. It was the darkest period in young India's history. And, the eyewitness account of that tragedy came to the world from two Indians-George Verghese and yours truly.
I will miss George as I myself move into the evening of my life. George Verghese will ever remain the shining star of India's fiercely independent media scene.
May the Lord give strength to dear Jamila to bear this loss.
Rest in Peace George.
