Hello everyone, in this blog I’m writing about Chetan Bhagat’s novel, ‘Revolution Twenty20’. Chetan Bhagat is the renowned Indian author, columnist, and YouTuber. In this blog you can also know about the author, Chetan Bhagat and about his novel, ‘Revolution Twenty20 : Love, Corruption, Ambition’. In this blog I’m trying to give answer of three questions :
2) Contemporary relevance of Raghav's journalism [The YouTuber / social media journalism in today's India]
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?
About the author :
Chetan Bhagat
Bhagat earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, one of the most prestigious engineering institutions in India. Following his engineering degree, he continued his studies abroad and obtained a postgraduate degree in Management from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, another premier institute in India.
After completing his education, Bhagat worked in the finance industry for a few years, including stints at Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank. However, his passion for writing eventually led him to pursue a career as a full-time author. His experiences in both the academic and corporate worlds have often influenced the themes and characters in his novels, providing insights into contemporary Indian society, relationships, and the education system.
Chetan Bhagat is an Indian author, columnist, and speaker, best known for his novels that often deal with themes related to contemporary Indian society, relationships, and the education system. He gained widespread popularity with his debut novel 'Five Point Someone' in 2004, which was later adapted into the highly successful Bollywood movie '3 Idiots.'
Bhagat's other notable works include 'One Night @ the Call Center,' 'The 3 Mistakes of My Life,' '2 States: The Story of My Marriage,' 'Revolution 2020,' 'Half Girlfriend,' and 'The Girl in Room 105.' His writing style often incorporates colloquial language and relatable characters, making his novels accessible to a wide audience.
Apart from writing, Bhagat has also been involved in public speaking, activism, and has contributed columns to various newspapers and magazines on topics ranging from politics to youth issues. His work has been both commercially successful and controversial, with critics often debating the literary merits of his novels.
About the novel :
Revolution Twenty20
Set in the town of Varanasi, the story revolves around three main characters: Gopal, Aarti, and Raghav. Gopal is the son of a poor schoolteacher who dreams of becoming rich and successful. Aarti is a beautiful and ambitious girl with whom Gopal falls in love during their school days. Raghav, on the other hand, comes from a well-to-do family and is passionate about social change and journalism. Gopal's ambition leads him to start a coaching institute with Raghav's help, but he becomes entangled in corrupt practices to achieve his goals. Aarti, caught in the crossfire between Gopal and Raghav, ends up in a complicated love triangle.
As the story progresses, Raghav becomes a crusader against corruption, leading protests and exposing corrupt politicians and businessmen. Gopal, meanwhile, continues to struggle with his conscience and his love for Aarti. The dynamics between the characters become increasingly tense as their personal and professional ambitions collide. The novel explores the sacrifices people make in pursuit of their dreams, the consequences of corruption on society, and the power of love and redemption. Through its engaging plot and relatable characters, 'Revolution 2020' offers a thought-provoking commentary on contemporary Indian society.
Here I've put a Youtube video based on Chetan Bhagat's talk on 'Revolution Twenty20'. Which is on Bollywood Hungama chennal.
In 'Revolution 2020,' Chetan Bhagat provides a fictional but poignant portrayal of the corruption embedded within the private education system in contemporary India. This depiction of social realism resonates with broader issues prevalent in real-life educational institutions, particularly those in the private sector. The novel highlights how the pursuit of profit often takes precedence over educational integrity and student welfare in many private schools and coaching institutes. Gopal, one of the main characters, establishes a coaching center with the primary goal of making money rather than providing quality education. He resorts to unethical means, such as bribery and cheating, to ensure the success of his institute. This mirrors the real-life scenario where private educational institutions, driven by commercial interests, compromise on educational standards and ethics to maximize profits.
The novel sheds light on the rampant corruption in the admission process of prestigious educational institutions. Gopal manipulates the system to secure admissions for affluent students who can afford to pay higher fees, regardless of their academic merit. This mirrors the prevalent practice of "donations" or under-the-table payments in private schools and colleges to secure admissions, sidelining deserving candidates from less privileged backgrounds. Bhagat's portrayal of corruption in the private education system serves as a critique of the broader flaws within the Indian education system. It highlights the inequities and injustices perpetuated by commercialization and the prioritization of profit over educational quality and social mobility. The novel underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to address these issues and ensure equitable access to quality education for all students, irrespective of their socioeconomic background.
Critics of the private education system in India argue that it exacerbates social inequalities by catering primarily to the affluent sections of society while neglecting the educational needs of the marginalized and underprivileged. The emphasis on rote learning and exam-centric education in many private institutions also stifles creativity and critical thinking, hindering holistic development.
In conclusion, 'Revolution 2020' provides a fictional but thought-provoking exploration of the corruption within the private education system, offering insights into the broader challenges facing the contemporary Indian education system. It serves as a call to action for policymakers, educators, and society at large to address these systemic issues and strive towards a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape.
YouTube and social media platforms allow journalists like Raghav to engage with their audience in real-time, fostering dialogue and interaction that traditional media formats may lack. This interactive nature enables them to mobilize support for causes, amplify marginalized voices, and hold those in power accountable. The rise of YouTube and social media journalism also presents challenges. The democratization of news dissemination means that misinformation and sensationalism can spread rapidly, undermining the credibility of legitimate journalism. Additionally, the lack of editorial oversight and fact-checking mechanisms inherent in these platforms can lead to the proliferation of fake news and biased narratives.
Despite these challenges, the contemporary relevance of Raghav's journalism lies in its ability to democratize the media landscape and empower individuals to participate in the public discourse. As digital technologies continue to evolve, YouTube and social media journalism are likely to play an increasingly influential role in shaping public opinion and driving social change in India and beyond. However, it is essential to promote media literacy and ethical journalism practices to ensure that these platforms are used responsibly and ethically for the betterment of society.
Q.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?
The choice of narrative perspective in a novel can significantly impact the reader's experience and understanding of the story. While 'Revolution 2020' is primarily told from Gopal's perspective, narrating the story from Raghav or Aarti's viewpoint could offer a different and potentially enriching perspective.
If the novel were narrated from Raghav's perspective, it would likely provide deeper insights into his motivations, ideals, and struggles as a crusader against corruption. Raghav's perspective could illuminate the challenges he faces in his fight for justice and the sacrifices he makes along the way. Readers would gain a clearer understanding of his evolving ideology and the impact of his actions on the society around him. Furthermore, narrating from Raghav's viewpoint could provide a more critical examination of the socio-political issues addressed in the novel, offering a more nuanced portrayal of corruption and its consequences.
On the other hand, if the story were told from Aarti's perspective, it would offer a unique insight into her experiences, choices, and agency as a young woman navigating the complexities of love and ambition in a patriarchal society. Aarti's perspective could delve into her internal conflicts, aspirations, and the societal pressures she faces. By centering the narrative on Aarti, the novel could explore themes of gender dynamics, societal expectations, and personal empowerment in a more profound manner. Additionally, Aarti's perspective could shed light on the impact of Gopal and Raghav's actions on her life, relationships, and aspirations.
While 'Revolution 2020' may offer a compelling story from Gopal's perspective, narrating it from Raghav or Aarti's viewpoint could provide readers with a more multifaceted and nuanced understanding of the novel's themes and characters. Each perspective would bring its own insights and emotional resonance, enriching the narrative and inviting readers to engage with the story on a deeper level.
