Revolution 2020 Chetan Bhagat

 Thinking Activity: Revolution 2020

Welcome to my Blog, This blog is written as a part of thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir,  As a part of this thinking activity, we are assigned three questions from this novel  and I will give answers of given questions.

Chetan Bhagat

Chetan Bhagat, born on April 22, 1974, is a prominent Indian author, columnist, and YouTuber known for his contributions to literature and entertainment. Growing up in a traditional Punjabi Hindu family, Bhagat's journey began with a passion for writing nurtured during his school years. He pursued his academic endeavors, earning a B.Tech. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, followed by a Master of Business Administration degree from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

After a brief stint in the banking industry, Bhagat transitioned to full-time writing, debuting with his first novel, "Five Point Someone," which gained widespread acclaim and was later adapted into the blockbuster film "3 Idiots." This success marked the beginning of Bhagat's prolific literary career, characterized by bestsellers like "One Night @ the Call Center," "The 3 Mistakes of My Life," "2 States," and more.

Bhagat's works often explore themes of love, relationships, and societal issues, resonating with a diverse readership across India. Beyond writing, he has ventured into screenwriting and YouTube, further expanding his reach and influence. Bhagat's ability to connect with audiences through his relatable narratives and engaging content has cemented his status as one of India's most influential literary figures. Through his work, he continues to inspire and entertain millions, leaving a lasting impact on Indian literature and popular culture.

Revolution 2020 (R2020)

1) Social realism of corruption in private education system

Chetan Bhagat's novel "Revolution 2020" is a gritty exploration of the pressing issues plaguing contemporary Indian society, particularly the rampant corruption that has crept into the education system.

The story follows the intertwined lives of three young protagonists - Gopal, Raghav, and Aarti - each representing a different socioeconomic background. Gopal, from a lower-middle-class family, finds himself navigating the frustrating web of private coaching institutes and political patronage, all in a desperate bid to secure a seat in a top engineering college. 

As Gopal laments, "Kota now had small coaching shops to coach you to get into the top coaching classes. From there, you would be coached to get into an engineering college." The sheer amount of time, effort, and money required to even have a chance at these competitive exams is truly staggering.

In contrast, Raghav comes from a middle-class background and is determined to fight against the corruption he sees all around him. "What do you say about a society whose top leaders are the biggest crooks? What do you do in a system where almost anyone with power is corrupt? India has suffered enough," he declares with palpable frustration.

Raghav chooses to pursue journalism, hoping to expose the malpractices in the education system through his writing and bring about much-needed reform.

Meanwhile, Aarti, from a privileged family, finds herself torn between her own desires and the towering ambitions that her parents have for her. As one character bluntly puts it, "The hopes of Indian parents are bigger than their children."

Chetan Bhagat weaves these narratives together, shining a harsh light on the grim realities faced by students in coaching hubs like Kota, where they are expected to devote endless hours to studying, often at the expense of their youth and personal well-being.

The novel also delves into the burgeoning industry of private coaching institutes, which have become a lucrative business, thriving on the desperation of students and the unrealistic expectations of their parents. As one character laments, "Most of us can't crack these tests, basic probability. But who will drill it into our parents' head?"

Through the struggles and triumphs of his characters, Bhagat highlights the broader societal issues at play - the widening divide between the elite and the marginalized, the disconnect between parents' dreams and their children's aspirations, and the urgent need for reform in the Indian education sector.

"Revolution 2020" is a thought-provoking and socially relevant novel that resonates with the experiences of many young Indians, offering a searing critique of the challenges they face in pursuit of their dreams and a call for meaningful change.

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

"Revolution 2020" is a novel by Chetan Bhagat that aims to shed light on the corruption plaguing India's education system and the anomalies within it. The story revolves around Raghav, a fiery activist who, despite graduating as an engineer, chooses to pursue journalism as a means to bring about societal change. Raghav is driven by a strong belief that the corrupt system must be overhauled, drawing inspiration from the revolutionary spirit of Che Guevara.

Raghav, an idealist, gains admission to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) but ultimately turns to journalism, perceiving it as a powerful tool to cleanse society. Although his publication, "Revolution 2020," achieves only limited circulation of less than 500 copies, he manages to expose the corrupt dealings of a politician named Shukla, leading to his imprisonment. This, in turn, adversely impacts the business interests of another character, Gopal, whose dealings were intertwined with Shukla's.

The narrative is told from Gopal's perspective, offering a somewhat unbalanced portrayal of the characters and their significance. Nonetheless, Raghav emerges as the most inspiring figure, driven by intelligence, sincerity, and ambition. Through Raghav, Chetan Bhagat conveys the message that life should not merely revolve around earning money but rather about pursuing one's dreams and addressing societal ills.

Raghav's unwavering determination to expose the corrupt education system, profit-driven private institutions, and rampant bribery is a central theme. His goal is to ignite a revolution by 2020, where the youth reclaim power and dismantle the old, corrupt system, replacing it with a new, just order.

The text then shifts focus to highlight independent journalists in India who have upheld the principles of true journalism. It provides brief profiles of prominent figures such as,

 Karan Thapar,

 Ravish Kumar,

 Punya Prasun Bajpai,

 Abhisar Sharma, 

Devanshi Joshi,

 Rajdeep Sardesai, 

Shyam Meera Singh, 

Dhruv Rathee

 acknowledging their contributions to fearless and unbiased reporting in the face of various pressures and challenges.

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?

In literature, a story can be interpreted differently depending on the perspective. Classic literature, like "Hamlet" or "Oedipus Rex," often raises abstract questions and holds deep meaning. On the other hand, popular literature, such as Chetan Bhagat's works, is seen as shallow and lacks depth.

In "Revolution Twenty20," the story is narrated by Gopal, who shares his life and breakup story with the author, Chetan Bhagat, who appears as a character in the novel. When seen from Gopal's viewpoint, it feels like a typical Bollywood love story. Gopal comes from a poor family and rises to become the director of an engineering college through corruption. However, the story lacks depth when seen from his perspective.

Raghav, on the other hand, is a scholar from an upper-class family who becomes a journalist to bring about social change. He writes against political scams and corruption in his journal, "Revolution 2020." Seeing the story from Raghav's viewpoint could add depth and highlight social issues and political problems. Instead of just a love story, it could become a tale of struggle, offering a better understanding of societal issues.

Arti represents those who conform to traditional roles, while Gopal embodies narrow-mindedness and corruption, trapped in the trauma of love and regret. Many youths today relate to Gopal's struggles. In contrast, Raghav faces challenges head-on and emerges as a motivational figure. Rewriting the story from Raghav's perspective could provide a more insightful narrative.

In literature, a story can be interpreted differently depending on the perspective. Classic literature, like "Hamlet" or "Oedipus Rex," often raises abstract questions and holds deep meaning. On the other hand, popular literature, such as Chetan Bhagat's works, is seen as shallow and lacks depth.

In "Revolution Twenty20," the story is narrated by Gopal, who shares his life and breakup story with the author, Chetan Bhagat, who appears as a character in the novel. When seen from Gopal's viewpoint, it feels like a typical Bollywood love story. Gopal comes from a poor family and rises to become the director of an engineering college through corruption. However, the story lacks depth when seen from his perspective.

Raghav, on the other hand, is a scholar from an upper-class family who becomes a journalist to bring about social change. He writes against political scams and corruption in his journal, "Revolution 2020." Seeing the story from Raghav's viewpoint could add depth and highlight social issues and political problems. Instead of just a love story, it could become a tale of struggle, offering a better understanding of societal issues.

Arti represents those who conform to traditional roles, while Gopal embodies narrow-mindedness and corruption, trapped in the trauma of love and regret. Many youths today relate to Gopal's struggles. In contrast, Raghav faces challenges head-on and emerges as a motivational figure. Rewriting the story from Raghav's perspective could provide a more insightful narrative.