'Revolution Twenty20'
by Chetan Bhagat
This blog forms an integral part of a Thinking Activity curated by Dilip Barad sir, from the Department of English, MKBU. Within this blog, I will delve into the intricacies of 'Revolution Twenty20' by Chetan Bhagat, along with exploring pertinent questions associated with it. (Click Here)
About the author Chetan Bhagat:
1. Popular Fiction Writer:
Chetan Bhagat is one of the most popular and best-selling Indian fiction writers. His books, written in simple and colloquial language, resonate with the urban middle-class youth of India.
2. Debut Novel:
His debut novel, "Five Point Someone" (2004), was a semi-autobiographical work based on his experience as an IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) student. It was an instant bestseller and launched his writing career.
3. Youth Icon:
Bhagat's novels often explore the lives, aspirations, and struggles of the Indian youth, making him a youth icon. His themes revolve around issues like education, career, relationships, and the pressures faced by young Indians.
4. Popular Works:
Some of his other popular works include "One Night @ the Call Center" (2005), "The 3 Mistakes of My Life" (2008), "2 States" (2009), "Revolution 2020" (2011), and "Half Girlfriend" (2014).
5. Film Adaptations:
Several of Bhagat's novels have been adapted into successful Bollywood films, such as "3 Idiots" (based on "Five Point Someone"), "Kai Po Che" (based on "The 3 Mistakes of My Life"), and "2 States".
6. Writing Style:
Bhagat's writing style is often criticized for being simplistic and lacking literary depth, but his fans appreciate his ability to connect with the aspirations and problems of the urban middle class.
7. Social Commentary:
While entertaining his readers, Bhagat also provides social commentary on issues like the education system, corruption, and the generation gap in India.
Chetan Bhagat is an influential figure in contemporary Indian popular fiction, known for his relatable stories, youth-centric themes, and his ability to capture the zeitgeist of urban Indian youth.
About Chetan Bhagat's novel 'Revolution 2020':
1. Plot:
The novel is set in the year 2020 and revolves around a love triangle between three childhood friends, Gopal, Raghav, and Aarti, who reunite years later as adults. It explores themes of corruption, ambition, and a revolution against the status quo.
2. Narrative Style:
Like many of Bhagat's books, 'Revolution 2020' is written in a simple and conversational style, with a focus on dialogue and relatable characters.
3. Social Commentary:
The book provides a satirical commentary on the state of affairs in India, particularly the rampant corruption, lack of opportunities, and the disillusionment of the youth with the system.
4. Main Characters:
The protagonists are Gopal, a disillusioned entrepreneur; Raghav, a successful but corrupt businessman; and Aarti, an NGO worker who becomes the catalyst for the revolution.
5. Themes:
The central themes of the novel include corruption, the power of youth, the pursuit of dreams, and the potential for change through nonviolent means.
6. Concept of "Revolution 2020":
The novel introduces the concept of 'Revolution 2020,' a non-violent movement led by the youth of India to overthrow the corrupt system and bring about positive change.
7. Controversial Reception:
While the book was commercially successful, it received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised Bhagat for tackling important social issues, while others criticized the simplistic writing and lack of depth.
8. Adaptation:
In 2020, 'Revolution 2020' was adapted into a web series of the same name, directed by Rajkumar Gupta and starring Abir Chatterjee, Sushant Singh, and Sooraj Pancholi.
'Revolution 2020' is a thought-provoking novel that reflects Chetan Bhagat's signature style of blending fiction with social commentary, while exploring the aspirations and frustrations of India's youth.
Social realism of corruption in the private education system.
In the novel 'Revolution 2020,' Chetan Bhagat explores the theme of corruption in the private education system in India through a lens of social realism.
- Commercialization of Education:
The novel depicts how private educational institutions have become profit-driven businesses, often prioritizing financial gains over quality education. Raghav, one of the main characters, is shown running a chain of substandard private colleges that charge exorbitant fees but provide poor academic standards.
- Exploitation of Students:
The private colleges in the book are portrayed as exploiting students by charging excessive fees, providing inadequate facilities, and compromising on the quality of education. Students are treated as mere sources of revenue, with little regard for their academic growth or future prospects.
- Corruption and Malpractices:
Bhagat highlights the rampant corruption in the private education sector, such as the practice of accepting bribes for admissions, selling degrees, and engaging in other unethical practices. Raghav's character is shown indulging in such malpractices, reflecting the harsh reality of the industry.
- Lack of Accountability:
- Disillusioned Youth:
The protagonist, Gopal, represents the disillusioned youth who are frustrated with the corrupt system and lack of opportunities. His journey reflects the disillusionment of many young Indians who feel betrayed by the education system that fails to provide them with quality education and promising futures.
Through these realistic portrayals, Bhagat aims to expose the harsh realities of the private education system in India, where profit motives often overshadow the pursuit of quality education. The novel serves as a commentary on the need for reforms, transparency, and accountability in the sector to ensure that education remains a noble pursuit, rather than a commercialized endeavor plagued by corruption.
Contemporary relevance of Raghav's journalism [The YouTuber / social media journalism in today's India]
In "Revolution 2020," Chetan Bhagat talks about how journalism is important. It's not just about education, love, and corruption, but also about the role of media. Raghav, one of the characters, represents this theme. Even though the book was written in 2011, it still relates to what's happening today. There are people like Raghav in real life, who are fighting against corruption and trying to tell the truth, just like he does in the story.
(From Class Activity)
The rise of social media and websites has democratized journalism, allowing regular individuals to share news and commentary without needing approval from traditional mainstream media outlets. This has several implications:
Voice for the voiceless: It provides a platform for diverse voices and perspectives that may not find representation in mainstream media, allowing marginalized communities and dissenting opinions to be heard.
Challenging mainstream narratives: Independent journalists and citizen reporters like Raghav Bahl can offer alternative viewpoints and question the narratives pushed by large media corporations, which are often influenced by corporate interests or political agendas.
Increased transparency: Direct access to information from various sources can potentially lead to greater transparency and accountability, as it becomes harder for those in power to control the flow of information.
Rightly point out the concern about the authenticity and credibility of information shared through these channels. Without the gatekeeping and fact-checking processes of traditional media, there is a higher risk of misinformation, fake news, and unverified claims spreading rapidly.
To illustrate this with a real example, during the farmers' protests in India in 2020-2021, while mainstream media was criticized for allegedly downplaying or misrepresenting the protests, social media platforms and independent journalists like Raghav Bahl provided extensive coverage and amplified the voices of the protesters. However, there were also instances of misinformation and unverified claims circulating on social media, highlighting the need for responsible journalism and fact-checking, even in alternative media spaces.
While the democratization of journalism has given voice to diverse perspectives and challenged mainstream narratives, it has also underscored the importance of maintaining journalistic ethics, fact-checking, and critical thinking to separate truth from misinformation in an increasingly crowded media landscape.
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?
It make a fair point that the main idea or message of a story often remains the same regardless of whose perspective it is told from. The character development and core themes are what ultimately matter, not necessarily the narrator's point of view.
It can lso acknowledge that the choice of narrator can significantly influence how the story is perceived and what aspects receive more emphasis. For instance, if Chetan Bhagat's novel Revolution 2020 was told from the perspective of:
1) Raghav (the journalist): It could provide more insights into the harsh realities of journalism, political critique, and societal issues, rather than just focusing on the love story angle.
2) Gopal (the protagonist): The current perspective may portray him as the hero, but a different narrator could cast him in a more villainous light.
3) Aarti (the love interest): The narrative would likely center more on the romantic struggles and relationships.
Based on this analysis, suggest that telling the story from Raghav's point of view as a journalist would be the most preferable and insightful choice. However, you also recognize that each perspective offers only a partial truth, and no single narrator can provide the complete, objective reality.
Propose ranking the perspectives in the following order of importance:
1) Raghav (for societal/political commentary)
2) Gopal (for the central plot)
3) Aarti (for the romantic subplot)
The choice of narrator significantly impacts which aspects of the story receive more emphasis and exploration.
(WC: 1574, Image: 02, Video: 02)
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