Revolution 2020
Novel by Chetan Bhagat
This blog is the task assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir H.O.D. of the English Department MKBU. In this blog, I'll write some questions and answers about the novel Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat.
Chetan Bhagat
Chetan Bhagat is born on 22 April 1974. He is an Indian author, columnist, and YouTuber. He was listed in Time magazine's list of World's 100 Most Influential People in 2010. Five of his novels have been adapted into films. His novels focus on youth and urban India, making him very popular among urban audiences and garnering a strong following from Indian youth.
Revolution 2020
Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition is a 2011 novel by Chetan Bhagat. Its story is concerned with a love triangle, corruption, and a journey of self-discovery. R2020 has addressed the issue of how private coaching institutions exploit aspiring engineering students and how parents put their lifetime earnings at stake for these classes so that their children can crack engineering exams and change the fortune of the family. While a handful accomplishes their dreams, others sink into disaster. The book is available as an Audiobook on Amazon.
The author stated that the novel is based on the "rampant corruption" apparent in the Indian educational system, with the choice of Varanasi as a setting emerging through "a special connection to the city" following his visit. He further said "it is one of our oldest cities, and people there now have modern aspirations. I thought the contrast would be interesting. The city also has a lot of character."
Setting:
Varanasi
Kota
Time: 1996 to 2011
(It narrates Gopal’s story from 10-year school kid to 26-year young director of Ganga Tech College)
Major Characters:
Chetan Bhagat – Motivational Speaker / Self (author)
Gopal Mishra – Director, Ganga Tech Institute – Private Academic Institute
Aarti Prathan – School classmate and friend -Working as Guest Relations Officer, at Ramada Hotel
Raghav Kashyap – School Friend, IITian, Journalist, ran journal ‘Revolution 2020’, works with Dainik Media House
Raghav’s father – IITian, Engineer in BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd)
Dubey Uncle – Lawyer, Gopal’s father's land dispute legal case
Ghanshyam taya-ji – Gopal’s father’s elder brother + Neeta taya-ji – his wife; Ajay – his son; Bitoo – Ajay’s son
Anil Kashyap – Raghav’s father
Pratap Brij Pradhan – Aarti’s father, District Magistrate; His father (Aarti’s grandfather) – ex-politician – ex-CM Brij Pradhan
Simran Gill – School Teacher
Plot:
The book delves into the intertwined lives of three individuals: Gopal, Raghav, and Aarti. Gopal, hailing from a modest background, dreams of wealth and success, while Raghav, from a privileged upbringing, aims to fight corruption and instigate change in India. Their friendship is tested as they vie for the affection of Aarti, their mutual friend.
As their paths diverge, Raghav becomes a renowned journalist exposing corruption, while Gopal succumbs to the lure of power and money, engaging in corrupt dealings to fulfill his ambitions. Aarti, caught between the two, ultimately chooses Raghav, but her unresolved feelings for Gopal lead to a clandestine affair.
Gopal's realization of the emptiness of his pursuits prompts him to let go of Aarti and support Raghav's revolutionary endeavors. In a surprising twist, Gopal orchestrates a revealing encounter that prompts Aarti to sever ties with him, allowing her to fully commit to Raghav.
Despite achieving success, Gopal remains haunted by his actions and doubts his morality. However, the author's reassurance at the end suggests that Gopal's sacrifices and acts of redemption ultimately affirm his goodness, despite his flaws.
1) Social realism of corruption in the private education system
Chetan Bhagat, a prominent figure in Indian literature, demonstrates a keen interest in addressing social issues and societal ills throughout his literary works, much like esteemed novelists Mulk Raj Anand and R. K. Narayan. His novels serve as a canvas portraying the aspirations, struggles, and realities faced by the youth of India, while also shedding light on various societal malpractices.
In "Five Point Someone" (2004), Bhagat critiques the rigid and bookish nature of the Indian education system, highlighting its shortcomings. Similarly, "One Night @ the Call Center" (2005) delves into the challenges confronted by Indian youth striving for success in the commercial sector. "The 3 Mistakes of My Life" (2008) explores themes of sports, commerce, and communal tensions disguised under the veil of religion. "2 States: The Story of My Marriage" (2009) examines the complexities of cultural clashes in relationships, while "Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition" (2011) exposes the pervasive issue of corruption within the education system. Recently, with "Half Girlfriend" (2015), Bhagat continues to center his narratives around the youth, capturing their aspirations and struggles.
Bhagat's thematic focus on social realism serves to illuminate the prevalent societal evils and the role of politics within them. Through his characters' journeys, he portrays the private and corrupt education system, depicting the aspirations of individuals and the challenges they face in achieving them. The term 'realism' in literature encompasses various prefixes, each shaping the presentation of the narrative in different ways, such as philosophical realism, magic realism, and social realism.
Social realism, in particular, serves as a literary technique employed by Bhagat to offer a genuine portrayal of society, reflecting life as it is and providing insightful social commentary. By utilizing this theme, Bhagat aims to raise awareness among his readers, encouraging reflection and potentially inspiring positive change or improvement within society.
2) Contemporary relevance of Raghav's journalism [The YouTuber / social media journalism in today's India]
In today's India, the relevance of Raghav's journalism in "Revolution 2020" extends beyond the traditional realm of print media to encompass the burgeoning landscape of YouTubers and social media journalists. Much like Raghav, contemporary journalists on digital platforms often serve as catalysts for change, utilizing their influence to expose corruption, highlight societal injustices, and inspire collective action among the youth.
Raghav's dedication to uncovering the truth and holding those in power accountable resonates with the ethos of many modern-day social media journalists who use their platforms to amplify marginalized voices and challenge the status quo. Through their investigative reporting, they shed light on systemic issues such as corruption in education, political malfeasance, and socioeconomic disparities, sparking conversations and mobilizing online communities for positive change.
Moreover, the title "Revolution 2020" itself reflects the spirit of the times, mirroring the urgency and dynamism of the digital age. In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements and widespread connectivity, the novel's themes of love, corruption, and ambition take on new dimensions as they intersect with the digital realm. Love blossoms and fractures in the digital landscape, where relationships are forged and tested through virtual interactions and social media platforms.
Additionally, the unconventional spelling of "TWENTY20" in the title not only draws parallels to the popular cricket format but also symbolizes the disruptive potential of digital media in catalyzing societal change. Just as the Twenty20 format revolutionized cricket with its fast-paced, high-energy gameplay, social media journalism revolutionizes the dissemination of information, offering a platform for alternative narratives and grassroots movements to flourish.
Overall, the contemporary relevance of Raghav's journalism in "Revolution 2020" lies in its reflection of the evolving media landscape and the power of digital platforms to drive social and political transformation. As YouTubers and social media journalists continue to redefine the boundaries of journalism, their role in shaping public discourse and fostering social change becomes increasingly indispensable in the fabric of modern Indian society.
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 "Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition," the narrative unfolds through the lens of Gopal, shaping the story predominantly around themes of love and corruption. This perspective is evident not only in the title but also in the portrayal of characters:
Gopal embodies the complexities of love and corruption.
Raghav represents the spirit of revolution.
By examining the characters' traits, it becomes apparent that the story leans heavily towards exploring the dynamics of love, with a subtle undertone of corruption. However, one can't help but wonder how the narrative would unfold if told from Raghav's perspective. Raghav's viewpoint might inject a stronger revolutionary stance into the story, potentially elevating its impact.
Understanding storytelling as a social and cultural activity reveals why Chetan Bhagat might have chosen Gopal as the narrator. Individuals tend to gravitate towards narrating stories from their own experiences, aligning them with their personal perspectives and motivations. Thus, Gopal's narrative serves to highlight his personal journey, rich with themes of love and ambition.
Considering Aarti's perspective, it's plausible that her narration would shift the focus toward her familial struggles, potentially making the novel more woman-centric. However, Bhagat's decision to center the narrative on Gopal allows for a broader exploration of the ambitions and conflicts faced by the three central characters.
In essence, "Revolution 2020" is a story of three young individuals navigating divergent ambitions in life. Bhagat provides a platform for these ambitions to unfold, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of youth and societal pressures.
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