Revolution Twenty20

 Hello Everyone, I am Aarti Sarvaiya, a student of MK Bhavnagar University. This blog I have written as a response to Thinking Activity, Which is a Part of my academic Work. Which we get after each unit. In this blog, I am going to discuss some questions related to Chetan Bhagat's novel 'Revolution 2020'. The questions are assigned as a task.

About Chetan Bhagat :-

Chetan Bhagat, a rising star in the contemporary modern Indian literature, is a multi talented personality. He is a novelist, columnist, public speaker and a screenplay writer.

His notable works include Five Point Someone, The 3 Mistakes of My Life and 2 States.Most of his literary works address the issues related to Indian youth and their aspirations which earned Bhagat status of the youth icon.

Bhagat wrote two more books; Revolution 2020 (2011), and What Young India Wants (2012). Additionally, he received Society Young Achiever’ award, Publisher’s Recognition award and Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay.

Chetan Bhagat is seen more as a youth icon than just an author, almost all of his novels are overloaded with social realism and the youth shading light on their ambitions, struggle, love affairs, marriage institutes, corrupt politics and media culture.

About The Novel :-

Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition (2011) is a story of success and failure of three youngsters - Gopal Mishra, Raghav Kashyap and Aarti Pradhan who live in a small and traditional town called Varanasi. The subtitle of the novel runs as Love, Corruption, Ambition And each word in the subtitle sticks to the particular character. 

The Revolution 2020 is a critical novel on corruption in the Indian education system and coaching classes for competitive exams in India. The novel is set during the first decade of the twenty-first century. 

In it, Bhagat focuses on the trend of coaching classes to get selected into India’s top colleges. Bhagat has shared his experiences, which he got from different parts of India. Speaking about the plot, story, and characters, Bhagat gives credit to “his extensive journey of India that takes place to deliver motivational speeches across the country”. 

Gopal represents lower middle class family, Raghav, middle class family and Aarti, upper class family. Thus, this core group of characters presents a Metro society from the filthy rich to the marginalised poor, so each class of the readers can somehow empathise with the lead actors. 

This widening of the base shows Chetan Bhagat’s sheer brilliance in planning and executing his attempt to create a best-seller.

Questions based on this novel :-

1) Social realism of corruption in private education system.

In "Revolution Twenty20" by Chetan Bhagat, the exploration of corruption within the private education system serves as a microcosm of the broader societal issues plaguing contemporary India. Through the intertwined narratives of protagonists Gopal, Aarti, and Raghav, Bhagat crafts a compelling tale that delves deep into the complexities of corruption, power dynamics, and social inequality.

At the heart of the novel lies the character of Gopal, a young man from a lower-middle-class background whose aspirations for upward mobility lead him into the labyrinth of corruption within the education system. Gopal's journey epitomizes the struggles faced by countless individuals who are thwarted by systemic barriers despite their aspirations and potential. Bhagat skillfully portrays Gopal's desperation to break free from his impoverished circumstances, juxtaposed with his moral dilemmas as he becomes increasingly embroiled in corruption to achieve his goals.

The private education system in India, as depicted in the novel, is depicted as a breeding ground for corruption, where access to quality education is often determined not by merit but by one's ability to pay or influence. Bhagat exposes the insidious nature of corruption within this system, where bribery, nepotism, and favouritism reign supreme. Through Gopal's experiences, the author highlights how the pursuit of education, touted as the great equaliser, becomes yet another avenue for perpetuating social inequality.

In the novel , Bhagat introduces the character of Aarti, Gopal's childhood friend and love interest, whose own struggles mirror those of Gopal. Aarti's determination to succeed academically and financially despite facing societal pressures and familial expectations underscores the resilience of many young women in India who strive to carve out their own paths in a patriarchal society. However, Aarti's integrity and commitment to her principles stand in stark contrast to Gopal's moral compromises, serving as a foil to his character and highlighting the ethical quandaries faced by individuals navigating corrupt systems.

In contrast to Gopal and Aarti's narratives, the character of Raghav represents the voice of dissent and social activism. As a journalist committed to exposing corruption and advocating for social justice, Raghav becomes embroiled in a crusade against the very forces that Gopal is entangled with. Raghav's idealism and commitment to his principles serve as a beacon of hope in a narrative dominated by moral ambiguity and compromise. Through Raghav's character, Bhagat underscores the importance of accountability, transparency, and civic engagement in combating corruption and effecting meaningful change.

Throughout the novel, Bhagat skillfully weaves together these disparate narratives to paint a vivid portrait of contemporary India, where the pursuit of success often comes at a moral cost. The juxtaposition of Gopal's ruthless ambition with Aarti's steadfast integrity and Raghav's unwavering idealism underscores the complexities of human nature and the choices individuals make in the face of adversity.

Bhagat's exploration of corruption within the private education system resonates with broader themes of social inequality and injustice prevalent in Indian society. The novel exposes how corruption perpetuates existing power structures, exacerbating disparities in access to opportunities and hindering social mobility for marginalized communities. By shining a light on the systemic flaws within the education system, Bhagat calls attention to the urgent need for reform and accountability in order to create a more equitable society.

In conclusion, "Revolution Twenty20" by Chetan Bhagat offers a compelling narrative that illuminates the pervasive influence of corruption within the private education system in India. Through the intertwining stories of Gopal, Aarti, and Raghav, Bhagat delves deep into the complexities of ambition, morality, and societal injustice. By exposing the insidious nature of corruption and its impact on individuals and communities, the novel prompts readers to reflect on the ethical implications of systemic flaws and the imperative of working towards a more just and equitable society.

2) Contemporary relevance of Raghav's journalism [The YouTuber / social media journalism in today's India]

Raghav's brand of journalism in "Revolution Twenty20" by Chetan Bhagat holds significant contemporary relevance in today's India, particularly in the context of the rise of YouTubers and social media influencers as alternative sources of news and information. Raghav's character embodies the principles of investigative journalism, social activism, and the pursuit of truth in an era marked by misinformation, sensationalism, and the erosion of traditional media credibility.

In today's digital age, where social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram have become primary sources of news consumption for many, the role of journalists and influencers like Raghav has evolved to encompass not only reporting but also advocacy, activism, and community engagement. Raghav's commitment to uncovering corruption, exposing injustices, and amplifying marginalized voices resonates with the ethos of citizen journalism and grassroots activism prevalent in online spaces.

One of the key aspects of Raghav's journalism that remains relevant today is his willingness to challenge the status quo and hold those in power accountable. In a media landscape increasingly dominated by sensationalism and partisan agendas, Raghav's dedication to truth-telling and investigative reporting serves as a beacon of integrity and credibility. His willingness to confront corruption, expose wrongdoing, and give voice to the voiceless reflects the core principles of ethical journalism in the face of institutional pressures and political interference.

Furthermore, Raghav's use of social media and digital platforms to disseminate information, mobilize support, and foster public discourse mirrors the strategies employed by contemporary YouTubers and social media influencers. In an era where traditional media outlets are often accused of bias and sensationalism, independent journalists and content creators like Raghav play a crucial role in providing alternative perspectives, fact-checking mainstream narratives, and fostering transparency and accountability in public discourse.

In th novel ,Raghav's character highlights the transformative power of social media and digital technologies in democratizing access to information and amplifying marginalized voices. In a country as diverse and complex as India, where traditional media often neglects the concerns and experiences of marginalized communities, social media platforms offer a space for grassroots activism, citizen journalism, and cultural expression. Raghav's ability to harness the reach and influence of digital platforms to advocate for social justice, challenge entrenched power structures, and mobilise public opinion underscores the transformative potential of new media in shaping political discourse and driving social change.

However, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges and limitations associated with YouTuber and social media journalism in today's India. While these platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for information dissemination and public engagement, they also face criticism for their susceptibility to misinformation, echo chambers, and algorithmic bias. The lack of editorial oversight, fact-checking mechanisms, and accountability measures inherent in many social media platforms raises concerns about the reliability and credibility of online journalism, particularly in the context of sensitive issues such as politics, religion, and social justice.

In conclude , Raghav's journalism in "Revolution Twenty20" remains highly relevant in today's India, where YouTubers and social media influencers play an increasingly influential role in shaping public opinion and driving social change. His commitment to truth-telling, investigative reporting, and social activism embodies the core principles of ethical journalism in an era marked by misinformation, sensationalism, and political polarization. While YouTuber and social media journalism offer unprecedented opportunities for information dissemination and community engagement, they also present challenges related to credibility, accountability, and the ethical responsibilities of content creators. As India grapples with the complexities of a rapidly evolving media landscape, the legacy of Raghav's journalism serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of integrity, transparency, and public service in the pursuit of truth and justice.

3) Do you think that an opportunity of 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?

One can always read one story with various perspectives. And that make different sense and creat different meaning of the same story. In literature we find that one which raises the abstract question can consider as good literature like Hamlet, Waiting for Godot,Oedipus Rex etc.  That are considers as a classic literature while popular literature are shallow mainly and comes with lacks high seriousness and sincerity. Chetan Bhagat's works are also considered as a popular literature by many scholars.

The novel 'Revolution Twenty20' is written from the point of view of Gopal. He himself is narrator of the story. Gopal is sharing his breakup story and life story with Chetan Bhagat, the author of the text who is present in the novel as a character. When one can read novel from Gopal's perspective it seems like topical Bollywood kind of love story. Also Gopal Belongs from poor family, his father is farmer and by doing corruption Gopal becomes director of 'Ganga Tec' engineering college. When we read the story from the point of view of Gopal we find that the story is not getting the depth that it deserve to be classic.

Now Raghav Kadhyap is a scholar person, belonged to an upper-class family. His father was an IITian, and an engineer at BHEL. Raghav himself cracked JEE exam and graduated from BHU- IT. But to follow his pation he becomes journalist because he want to Bring Reformation in society.

‘He feels the revolution begins at home. Society changes only when individual family norms are challenged.’

 He is writing against political scams, corruption and violence in his small journal named 'Revolution 2020'. So if the story from Raghav's perspective, then it might creat more sense and grab its depth. Also instead of remaining just love story might it was been struggle story, and might audience get better understanding about social issues and political problems.

Aarti is a girl who caged herself in a role of girl friend and a wife of someone and she is happy being that. While Gopal is narrow minded and corrupt person who himself is a broken in love and seems like he is living into trauma of love, future and regret of past. Most youth in thus era are living similar life of Gopal.  Where else Raghav in the era of it, struggling with situation and over come his all the troubles. He also rises as a motivation and iconic figure. So it was been better if the story was written from Raghav's perspective.

Conclusion :-

To conclude, while "Revolution Twenty20" offers a captivating narrative from Gopal's perspective, there's undeniable potential for greater depth and societal insight if told from the viewpoints of characters like Raghav or Aarti. Raghav's journalistic pursuits and Aarti's struggles within societal expectations could provide richer explorations of corruption, social activism, and personal agency. Their perspectives would offer alternative lenses through which to examine the complexities of contemporary India, enriching the novel's thematic resonance and emotional depth. Ultimately, while Gopal's narrative provides a compelling entry point, a multi-perspective approach could elevate the novel from a popular love story to a more nuanced exploration of the intersection of personal ambition, societal corruption, and the pursuit of justice.