User:Nancynite/Pothan Joseph

POTHAN JOSEPH (1892-1972) A Fiercely Independent Editor.

Pothan Joseph was a vibrant, legendary, fearless, self-made journalist, who was one of the standard-bearers of journalism in the India of the 20th century. His career spanned one of history's most momentous periods: twenty years before twenty years after India's independence. He had the privilege and distinction of having worked with leaders like Annie Besant, Mahatma Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, Motilal Nehru among others. He was the first to write a daily political column for five decades, called “Over A Cup of Tea”, sprinkled with Biblical and Dickensian quotes. He also discovered and nurtured the Indian cartoonist Shankar, helping make political cartoons a staple of newspaper diet.

“PJ” was one of journalism's rare heroes, who started or developed 26 newspapers. These included The Hindustan Times, the Indian Express, and the Deccan Herald. He also edited Dawn while it was based in New Delhi, but resigned as soon as he realized that Jinnah was pressing for the partition of India and Pakistan.

Pothan Joseph would always guard editorial freedom and demanded that the proprietors and managing editors should take good care of those who worked in the editorial wing and never encroach on their freedom. Even before unionization, Pothan also pleaded for proper payment to deserving journalists.

He will always be remembered as a trail-blazing journalist with his witty scholarship, sardonic humor, biting irony, and daring, which many of today's media lack. Above all, he had the straightforwardness to uphold the special role of editor in the world of communication. His motto during his working life was “ courage, vigilance and fidelity”. He had his convictions, but he never let them get the better of his sense of proportion, moderation, fair play and gentle humor.

Biography--

Early life and Education

Pothan Joseph was born on March 13, 1892, to C.I. Joseph of Oorayil House, Chengannur, Kerala, India. The astrologers predicted a very bright future for him, since he was born under the “Puram” star, and also foretold that would hold 26 jobs!! He graduated with a degree in Physics from Presidency College in Madras, (Chennai), and then took his LL.B. degree in law, from the University of Bombay. He quickly abandoned ideas of a legal career, became a writer for the Hyderabad Bulletin and finally found his calling when he joined The Bombay Chronicle, then edited by the illustrious B.G.Horniman.

Honors

Pothan Joseph served as the President of the International Federation of Working Journalists for numerous years. As a rule he shunned formal accolades, saying that a “what is the use of moss to a rolling stone?”. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in 1973.

REFERENCES:

1. Prof. J.V. Vilanilam, Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Kerala, in Media Mimosa 2008 January - March 2008, pages 89-93.

2. T.J.S.George. Pothan Joseph's India. A Biography. First published in 1992 by Sanchar Publishing House, New Delhi ISBN 81-7203-008-8 and printed by Allied Publishers Limited, New Delhi. A revised edition, under the title Lessons in Journalism: The Story of Pothan Joseph, was published in 2007 by Viva Books, New Delhi. ISBN 81-309-0788-7.

3. cartoonist Shankar: []

4. Joseph Family Website: []

5. A lecture series is established as a tribute to legendary journalist Pothan Joseph is part of the Journalism Mentor, India’s first mentorship-based journalism course. It is a 14- month program designed for those who are interested in pursuing journalism as a career. []

6. He was posthumously award India’s civilian Padma Bhushan award in 1973 for Literature and Education. []