INTEGRITY IN PRINT: MANU P. TOMS LEADS THE ECONOMIC TIMES SOUTH

Manu P. Toms, the newly appointed editor of The Economic Times, South India editions, embodies perseverance and integrity. From his beginnings in a migrant farmer family in Wayanad to leading ET across five states, his story is a testament to hard work, resilience, and the enduring values of honest journalism.  

The imprint line of The Economic Times editions in South India carries a new name from yesterday: Manu P. Toms. For those who have known him closely, this appointment is not just another professional milestone but a moment of deep personal pride and collective celebration. 

“Manu is not merely a colleague or a fellow journalist; he is a brotherly friend, someone whose journey has been intertwined with mine across different stages of life and career. From our shared days in Manorama and Express, to the camaraderie of the Kochi bureau, and even further back to Kariyavattom where he was a junior by three or four batches in the journalism department, Manu has always been part of my closest circle. His rise to this position feels like a personal victory, but beyond that, it is a story worth telling for the larger lessons it carries”, said Sreejan Balakrishnan, Chief Coordinating Editor, Asianet News.

Born into a migrant farmer family in a remote village in Wayanad, Manu’s beginnings were modest, even challenging. His early education was in a Malayalam medium school in Mullankolli, a place far removed from the bustling newsrooms and metropolitan centres where journalism careers are often imagined to begin. Yet, from those humble surroundings, Manu carved out a path defined by sheer perseverance, determination, and an unyielding commitment to his craft. His story is not one of shortcuts or privileges but of steady, disciplined effort. Every step he took was earned, every opportunity seized with diligence, and every challenge met with resilience.  

In a career spanning 22 years, Manu has built a reputation that is rare in contemporary journalism. It is said of him that not a single news story in his career has ever been questioned for its integrity. That is not a small achievement in a profession where scrutiny is constant and credibility is the most fragile currency. Manu’s work has always stood on the twin pillars of accuracy and fairness, and his colleagues across organisations have consistently recognised him for these qualities. His appointment as editor of The Economic Times’ South India editions is therefore not just a recognition of his professional competence but also of his moral authority within the newsroom.  

The role he now assumes is significant. The Economic Times, as one of India’s leading financial dailies, has a critical presence in the southern states. To be in charge of editions across five states is to shoulder responsibility for shaping the economic and business discourse in a region that is both diverse and dynamic. South India is home to some of the country’s most vibrant industries, from information technology and manufacturing to agriculture and services. It is also a region where cultural and linguistic diversity adds layers of complexity to reporting and editorial leadership. Manu’s background, rooted in the soil of Wayanad and tempered by years of experience across different media houses, equips him uniquely for this challenge. He understands the nuances of the region not just as a journalist but as someone who has lived its realities.  

What makes Manu’s journey particularly inspiring is the way it bridges worlds. From Mullankolli’s classrooms to the corridors of The Economic Times, his trajectory embodies the possibility of transformation through education, hard work, and integrity. It is a reminder that journalism, at its best, is not about where one starts but about how one stays true to the values of the profession. Manu’s rise is also symbolic for countless young aspirants who come from small towns and villages, often doubting whether their backgrounds will allow them to compete in national media. His story tells them that it is possible, that the ladder can be climbed, and that perseverance can indeed rewrite destinies.  

Manu’s achievement is professional, for the values he represents are ones that journalism desperately needs today. In an era where speed often trumps accuracy, and sensationalism threatens to overshadow substance, Manu’s career stands as a counterpoint. His insistence on integrity, his refusal to compromise on facts, and his belief in the power of honest storytelling are qualities that will serve The Economic Times well as it navigates the challenges of contemporary media.  

As Manu steps into this new role, the expectations are high, but so is the confidence. His colleagues, friends, and readers alike will look to him to bring clarity, depth, and fairness to the coverage of South India’s economic and business landscape. And if his past is any indication, he will do so with the same quiet determination that has marked his journey so far.  

Manu P. Toms’ story is one of grit, grace, and growth. It is a story that deserves to be told, celebrated, and remembered—not just for the personal joy it brings to those of us who know him, but for the larger inspiration it offers to journalism itself. In his rise, we see the enduring power of perseverance, the value of integrity, and the promise of a profession that, at its best, continues to shape society with truth and trust.