Hello Readers! This blog is a part of a thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir from The English Department, MKBU, Bhavnagar. This blog will delve into the novel 'Revolution Twenty20' authored by Chetan Bhagat.
Chetan Bhagat:
Chetan Bhagat is a prominent Indian author, columnist, and motivational speaker known for his bestselling novels that often explore themes related to love, relationships, and contemporary social issues in India. He is best known for his bestselling novels that depict the lives of young people in urban India. Bhagat's works have been translated into multiple languages and several have been adapted into Bollywood films.
- Born in 1974 in New Delhi
- Studied at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) and Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad)
- Initially worked as an investment banker
- Published his debut novel "Five Point Someone" in 2004, which became a huge success
- Authored several other bestselling novels like "Two States," "Revolution 2020," and "Half Girlfriend"
- Known for his relatable characters, contemporary themes, and easy-to-read writing style
- Hello (2008) – Based on the book "One Night at the Call Center"
- 3 Idiots (2009) – Based on the book "Five Point Someone"
- Kai Po Che!
- 2 States (2014) – Based on the book "2 States"
- Half Girlfriend (2017) – Based on the book "Half Girlfriend"
‘Revolution Twenty20’ :
‘Revolution 2020’ is a novel written by Chetan Bhagat, published in 2011. Set in the backdrop of the city of Varanasi, India, the story revolves around three main characters: Gopal Mishra, Raghav Mishra, and Aarti Mishra. Revolution 2020 mainly concerned Love, Corruption, Ambition. Its story is concerned with a love triangle, corruption and a journey of self-discovery. Revolution 2020 has addressed the issue of how private coaching institutions exploit aspiring engineering students and how parents put their lifetime's earnings on stake for these classes so that their children can crack engineering exams and change the fortune of the family. While a handful accomplish their dreams, others sink into disaster.
‘Revolution 2020’ explores the clash between ambition and idealism in modern India. Gopal, driven by a desire for wealth, navigates a corrupt system, while his friend Raghav fights for social change through journalism. Aarti, the woman they both love, is caught between their contrasting paths. As the narrative unfolds, Gopal's corrupt choices lead to his ruin, while Raghav's fight for justice garners him widespread support. Aarti, witnessing the true colors of both men, makes a decisive choice. The novel concludes with a thought-provoking message about the repercussions of corruption and the yearning for genuine societal transformation. It explores the challenges individuals face in a corrupt system, emphasizing the power of idealism and integrity to spark revolution and positive change.
Social realism of Corruption in the Private education system :
Chetan Bhagat's novels often reflect the realities of contemporary Indian society, focusing on themes such as the modern education system, political corruption, and the challenges faced by young people. He delves into issues like the pressures of the Indian education system, the influence of corrupt politics, and the struggles of students and their families. Bhagat's works often center on the lives and dilemmas of young adults, highlighting topics like the prevalence of coaching classes and the pursuit of competitive exams. In "Revolution 2020," he particularly emphasizes the corruption within the Indian education system and the role of coaching classes in shaping students' futures.
In his novel ‘What Young Indians Wants’ He remarked that,
“The Indian education system is a problem that can be fixed. It affects the country‟s future, impacts almost every family, everyone knows about it and it is commercially viable to fix it”
The education system today is facing a significant challenge due to its widespread commercialization. Global corporations are reshaping the teaching and learning processes in schools and colleges to maximize profits through advertising and other commercial activities. Unfortunately, this commercialization has spawned corruption within the system, turning it into a social crime. Social crime refers to acts that, while somewhat socially acceptable, are illegal according to the law and defy the prevailing social order and its values. Chetan Bhagat expressed his viewpoint on this issue in an article for "The Times of India,emphasizing the need for ethics and quality in education despite acknowledging the role of commerce and business in society.
The education system in India faces a major challenge: top professional colleges like IIT and IIM can only accommodate a small fraction of students, leaving the majority to rely on self-financing colleges. This creates intense pressure, as only the top scorers typically succeed in entrance exams, leaving average students like Gopal struggling. The competitive environment even strains friendships, as seen between Gopal and Raghav. Gopal's father's dream for him to become an engineer drives him to join coaching classes in Kota, a hotspot for such centers. However, these institutions often have questionable ties with CBSE schools. Despite his efforts, Gopal fails the exam again, and his father passes away without seeing his dream fulfilled. Determined to make a change, Gopal partners with corrupt politician Remanlal Sukla to start an engineering college, exposing the deep-rooted corruption in the system. Bhagat's narrative highlights the ease with which individuals like Gopal can gain ownership of colleges without proper qualifications, underscoring the prevalence of self-financing colleges across India. While talking about corruption Chetan Bhagat says ;
'In India, one question is constant: why isn’t corruption going away? The question baffles the educated middle classes. Why is a reasonable, universal and noble demand for an honest society so difficult to achieve in a democracy? And why is it that corrupt parties win elections time and time again.’
Through his novel "Revolution 2020," Chetan Bhagat sheds light on the grave issues plaguing the education system in India, epitomized by Ganga Tech Engineering College, which represents numerous self-financing professional colleges across the country. Bhagat channels his message through the character of Raghav, who spearheads a mission called "Revolution 2020" to combat corruption, aid the underprivileged, and catalyze revolutionary change. Raghav's words reflect Bhagat's optimism and determination to shake up the status quo: "The world has changed. Our college, our city, our country need to change too... we will shake the world." Throughout the novel, Bhagat exposes the struggles faced by average students within the corrupted educational system, offering a hopeful resolution by the end. He emphasizes the need for innovative changes in society, particularly within the education sector. Bhagat identifies government policies, such as the "no profit allowed" rule for private institutes, as a significant driver of corruption, advocating for reforms to promote non-profit educational trusts. Corruption in education, he argues, is detrimental to society, violating the equal right to education for all individuals. "Revolution 2020" serves as a poignant commentary on the present-day scenario, highlighting the urgent need to address corruption in the education system to prevent widespread unemployment among Indian youth. Bhagat's narrative also underscores the presence of corruption not only in society but also within the human psyche.
Contemporary relevance of Raghav's Journalism. [ The Youtuber / Social media Journalism in today's India].
Raghav is depicted as a character driven by a strong sense of idealism and a desire to bring about meaningful change in society. Despite achieving success in prestigious exams like JEE and AIEEE, he chooses to pursue journalism alongside engineering at BHU-IT, prioritizing his passion for social justice over conventional career paths.Ultimately, Raghav's journey exemplifies his unwavering dedication to creating a better future for his community and nation, as evidenced by his establishment of the newspaper "Revolution 2020" to amplify the voices of the marginalized and combat systemic injustice.
Raghav's journalism in "Revolution 2020" is relevant today because it mirrors the rise of social media influencers and independent journalists who use online platforms to fight corruption, promote social justice, and engage young people in activism. His dedication to exposing wrongdoing and advocating for change resonates with modern-day efforts to hold powerful institutions accountable and amplify marginalized voices.
Indian Journalists who have upheld true journalism:
Dhruv Rathee is a prominent Indian YouTuber, vlogger, and social media activist. He's known for creating videos that focus on social, political, and environmental issues in India and around the world.
Devanshi Joshi is a Gujarati Journalist who subscribes to the spirit of independent media. She is also a senior producer of the company. Moreover, she runs a news- based youtube channel.
Rana Ayyub is an Indian journalist and opinion columnist with The Washington Post. She is author of the investigative book Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up.
Atul Chaurasia is the executive editor of Newslaundry. A journalist for the last 16 years, he has worked mostly in print, digital and TV media. He was part of the founding teams for Tehelka Hindi magazine and CatchNews Hindi website. He has won the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism twice, in 2010 and 2013.
Newslaundry is an Indian media watchdog that provides media critique, reportage and satirical commentary. It was founded in 2012 by Abhinandan Sekhri, Madhu Trehan and Prashant Sareen, all of whom earlier worked in print or television journalism. It was India's first subscription-driven website when launched, and since then other platforms have followed a similar model. Newslaundry solely relies on public subscriptions, instead of donations or advertisements, for revenue. Here is a video of Newslaundry YouTube channel.
Do you think that an opportunity for a good novel is wasted because the story is told from Gopal's perspective? Can it be better if narrated from Raghav or Aarti's perspective? How would it be better if it was narrated from Raghav or Aarti's perspective?
In Chetan Bhagat's "Revolution 2020," the narrative unfolds through the eyes of Gopal, providing readers with a nuanced portrayal of the corruption and societal pressures within the Indian education system. While Gopal's perspective offers relatability and insight into the struggles faced by young people, the question arises: Would the novel have greater impact if told from the viewpoints of Raghav or Aarti?
Gopal's narrative effectively captures the harsh realities experienced by students like himself as they navigate the competitive landscape and ethical dilemmas of achieving success. His journey resonates with readers, offering a glimpse into the immense pressure and compromises demanded by the education system. However, Gopal's focus on his personal challenges may limit the exploration of broader societal issues and the motivations of other characters.
Considering Raghav's perspective opens the door to a deeper understanding of his unwavering commitment to social justice. As a journalist, Raghav confronts powerful institutions and champions truth, providing readers with insight into the complexities of activism and the sacrifices it entails. His narrative could inspire readers to challenge injustice and advocate for change, elevating the novel's social commentary to new heights. Alternatively, viewing the story through Aarti's lens offers a unique perspective on love, ambition, and personal growth. Aarti's internal struggles and emotional journey provide a nuanced exploration of relationships and societal expectations. Her perspective adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to empathize with her challenges and aspirations. While Raghav and Aarti's viewpoints offer compelling insights, Gopal's narration effectively balances personal growth with social commentary. His relatable struggles and moral dilemmas engage readers on an emotional level, while also shedding light on the systemic issues within the education system. Ultimately, the choice of perspective enriches the narrative, allowing readers to experience the story from multiple angles and fostering important conversations about corruption and societal change.
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