'Revolution Twenty20' by Chetan Bhagat

 This blog is crafted in response to the thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad, Department of English, MKBU. Here, I will try to explore the questions that are provided to examine by us. 

Before delving into the exploration of the questions, let’s have an introduction to the novel ‘Revolution Twenty20’ and its writer Chetan Bhagat.

🔷 Chetan Bhagat:

Chetan Bhagat, born on April 22, 1974, is an influential Indian author, columnist, and YouTuber. He gained recognition when Time magazine listed him among the World's 100 Most Influential People in 2010. Bhagat's upbringing was in a traditional Punjabi Hindu family, with his father serving in the Indian Army and his mother as a scientist.

After completing a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, in 1995, Bhagat pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in marketing from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA), graduating in 1997. He initially worked in the banking sector, including roles at Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, before transitioning to a full-time writing career in 2009.

Bhagat's writing journey began with his debut novel, "Five Point Someone," written while he was working at Goldman Sachs. This novel and several subsequent ones, including "One Night @ the Call Center," "The 3 Mistakes of My Life," and "2 States," were well-received and adapted into successful Bollywood films. His later novels, such as "Revolution 2020," "Half Girlfriend," "One Indian Girl," "The Girl in Room 105," "One Arranged Murder," and "400 Days," continued to be bestsellers.

Apart from his literary career, Bhagat has a screen presence, having served as a celebrity judge on the dance reality show "Nach Baliye" season 7 and appeared in Netflix's series "Decoupled." He has also ventured into YouTube, running a channel offering motivational tips, and launched the podcast "Deeptalk with Chetan Bhagat."

As a screenwriter, Bhagat contributed to the screenplay of the film "Kai Po Che!," based on his novel "The 3 Mistakes of My Life," which won the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay.

Five of Chetan Bhagat's novels have been adapted into successful films: "Hello," "3 Idiots," "Kai Po Che!," "2 States," and "Half Girlfriend."

Chetan Bhagat's novels have garnered immense popularity among the youth in India due to their focus on themes that resonate with this demographic. By exploring elements such as College Life and Education, Love and Relationships, Social Issues, Aspirations and Ambitions, Cultural Diversity, Corruption and Politics, Self-Discovery and Identity, and infusing his narratives with Humor and Satire, Bhagat crafts stories that captivate and engage his readers. It is the blend of relatable themes and entertaining storytelling that contributes to the consistent success of his works, making them bestsellers among the diverse and dynamic audience of young readers in India. (Wikipedia)

🔷 Revolution Twenty20:

“Once upon a time, in small-town India, there lived two intelligent boys.

One wanted to use his intelligence to make money.

One wanted to use his intelligence to start a revolution.

The problem was, they both loved the same girl.”

"Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition," is a novel penned by Chetan Bhagat in 2011, which weaves a tale of a love triangle, corruption, and a transformative journey of self-discovery. The narrative delves into the exploitation of aspiring engineering students by private coaching institutions and the sacrifices parents make, investing their life savings to secure their children's success in competitive exams. While some achieve their dreams, others face devastating consequences.

The novel is set in Varanasi and Kota, spanning the years from 1996 to 2011. Gopal, the central character, evolves from a 10-year-old schoolboy to a 26-year-old director of Ganga Tech College.

The novel is rooted in the pervasive corruption within the Indian educational system. Varanasi was chosen as the setting due to the author's personal connection to the city and its juxtaposition of ancient traditions with modern aspirations. Reflecting on the choice, Bhagat remarked, "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."

🔷1) Social realism of corruption in the private education system

The novel "Revolution 2020" revolves around the themes of love, education, and corruption. Gopal, facing a setback in his attempt to secure admission to an engineering college and grappling with the loss of his father, finds solace in his friend Sunil. During their conversation about Gopal's land dispute with Ghanshyam Tayaji, Sunil suggests an alternative path – opening a college. He assures Gopal that MLA Shukla Ji would assist them.

Remarkably, the plot unfolds just as Sunil predicted. Shukla Ji becomes a key figure in helping Gopal obtain all the necessary permissions to establish a college, which he names 'Ganga Tech College.' Initially unaware of the intricacies, Gopal gradually becomes enmeshed in the web of corrupt practices associated with running the institution.

Chetan Bhagat skillfully uses this narrative arc to expose the prevalent corruption within the education sector. Gopal's journey from ignorance to complicity sheds light on the corrupt underbelly of the system, illustrating how individuals, even with good intentions, can be drawn into unethical practices. The story serves as a vehicle for Bhagat to uncover and critique the corrupt practices deeply rooted in the education sector.

LPG and Privatization of Education in India:

The broader context of LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization) in India, as outlined in the early 1990s, forms the backdrop for the privatization of higher education.

The article “Emerging Trends of Privatization of Education in India.” though does not directly discuss corruption in education due to privatization in India.

 It Mentions the growth of "mushroom colleges" that have become centers for selling degrees without requiring students to attend classes, leading to employers getting low-wage workers. Abrol also Suggests that the over-commercialization of education is ignoring quality improvement, implying a profit motive over educational standards in some private institutions. She States that in many private institutions, there is no freedom for innovation in teaching as teachers have to follow the management's rules, some of whom are unqualified. The lack of quality controls and regulations has allowed growth of private institutions focused on quantity over quality of education and Raises concerns about private training colleges exploiting teacher salaries and status if not monitored properly by regulatory bodies.

While she does not talk explicitly about corruption, these points highlight some of the issues like profit motives superseding quality, lack of accountability, unqualified management, and need for stronger regulations that could enable corrupt practices in the privatization of education in India.

Additionally, it is crucial to recognize that the legalization of education privatization is determined by the law. During our class discussion, Bard Sir addressed a question about students and teachers associated with private educational sectors who take pride in their roles. His response resonated with truth—those studying, working, or managing private institutions should not bear blame for any corruption within the system. Instead, the responsibility lies with national-level policies endorsing the "Privatization of Education."

This perspective aligns with a recent news report about students in Athens, Greece, vehemently opposing a parliamentary bill that aimed to permit private universities. Despite the students' protests, the bill is passed by the parliament. Once such legislation is sanctioned, the focus should shift away from attributing blame to individuals within the education system. Instead, the priority becomes the establishment of a robust regulatory body capable of monitoring and mitigating malpractices. This approach is vital to safeguard the interests of both students and teachers.

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

In contemporary times, we can identify a profound relevance in Raghav's journalism within present-day India. Raghav, Gopal's friend, aspires to catalyze societal changes and expose corrupt individuals, notably MLA Shulka Ji.

The conversation between Arti and Gopal highlights the initial flame of Raghav to be a Journalist.

'He's an idiot, What will he do?'

'Journalism; she said. "He loves it, Thats what he is meant to do. He wants to change things. He's also joined university politics.'

'Totally stupid’, I said

Raghav begins his journalistic career at Dainik News as a staff reporter, where, as per Gopal, " he often wrote about black-marketeer ration shop owners, illegally sold LPG cylinders, RTO officers taking bribes, and other routine occurrences in India." One notable instance involves his coverage of corruption within Varanasi Nagar Nigam, with the headline 'Varanasi Nagar Nigam eats, builder cheats.'

“The article said, 'Surprisingly the inappropriate approvals and the resultant illegal construction are right there in front of our eyes. Unlike other corruption cases where the wrongdoing is hidden (like the Ganga Action Plan scam), here the proof is for all to see. Farms are turned into colleges, which then flout all norms to construct as much as possible. Colleges will soon have malls next-door. Politicians, meant to protect us and prevent all this, are often the culprits. This is not all, the city has new hotels, residential towers and office buildings where the VNN has taken REVOLUTION 202 0 • 19 1 its cut. We have proof to compare the vast difference between what is allowable and what VNN approved ..’

 A box next to the article listed the controversial approvals.

 I read the list:

1. The V-CON apartment building, a ten-storey tower on a low-flying zone.

2. Hotel Vento, construction of which has taken over a neighborhood park.

3. Ganga Tech College - Farmland mysteriously approved. College buildings constructed beyond permissible floor space index”.

Raghav's pursuit of truth in his report results in the loss of his job. Despite his passion for journalism and his aspiration for revolution in the country, he finds himself unemployed. Undeterred, Raghav decides to take matters into his own hands and establishes his own newspaper called "Revolution 2020."

When Arti informs Gopal about the situation, he reflects, "Even if he wanted to, Raghav could not secure a media job in Varanasi, especially in the leading papers. Shukla-ji had informed all the major editors. Aarti, of course, didn't know this. She didn't even know why Raghav had lost his job."

“'There's politics in organisations. He will learn to fit in,' I said.

 'He doesn't want to fit in. He wants to change journalism. Give it some teeth,' Aarti said.”

Raghav initiated The Revolution 2020 newspaper in a humble space despite facing financial constraints. He was determined not to become a mere puppet of those in power and refused to bow down, unlike other journalists who succumbed to pressure. His commitment was evident in his pursuit of genuine journalism. Unfortunately, his modest workplace faced attacks from individuals in positions of authority.

Chetan Bhagat's portrayal of Raghav resonates with real-life journalists who, like him, strive to deliver authentic news without yielding to powerful influences. Numerous journalists have left their positions as reporters or anchors due to their audacity in bringing forth the truth. They either resigned voluntarily or were terminated for their courage in uncovering facts. They emerged as the YouTber and Social Media Journalists in today's India.

In recent times, many newspapers and channels appear to be leaning towards government-friendly news, making it challenging for journalists to fulfill their responsibility of delivering unbiased facts. Amidst these difficulties, platforms like YouTube and other social media outlets have emerged as spaces where journalists can engage in independent journalism, striving to raise awareness by presenting factual information. This shift provides an alternative avenue for journalists to share news independently, bypassing the challenges associated with certain mainstream media outlets that may compromise their ability to deliver objective reporting.

Websites that promotes the true essence of journalism:

The Wire

The Quint

The Print

Scroll.in

Newslaundry:

Newslaundry, founded in 2012 by Abhinandan Sekhri, Madhu Trehan, and Prashant Sareen, is an Indian media watchdog focusing on media critique and satirical commentary. It operates as a subscription-driven website, distinguishing itself from others by solely relying on public subscriptions for revenue. Notable for its investigative reporting, Newslaundry received the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2015 for a piece on politicians misusing public sector undertakings in India. The platform also features podcasts covering politics, culture, and entertainment.

Distinguishing itself from news websites like The Wire, The Quint, ThePrint, or Scroll.in, Newslaundry relies exclusively on public subscriptions for revenue, foregoing donations or advertisements.

"मेरे खर्च पे आजाद है खबरे। "

"Pay to Keep News Free"

This unique funding approach emphasizes a direct connection with its audience. It also incorporates their YouTube Channel, where they provide some videos free of cost.

Independent Journalists - YouTuber Journalists

Saurabh Sharma notes that "Indian journalists say the platform is a more democratic and uncensored place to work, but is the growing trend of YouTubers calling themselves journalists a cause for concern?"(Saurabh)

1. Ravish Kumar

Ravish Kumar, a renowned Indian journalist and author, left an indelible mark during his tenure as Senior Executive Editor at NDTV India. Hosting influential programs like Prime Time, Hum Log, and Ravish Ki Report, his commitment earned him accolades, including the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award twice and the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2019.

Undeterred by threats, he resigned from NDTV in 2022 following its acquisition. Subsequently, Kumar embraced the digital realm, operating an independent news channel on YouTube, exemplifying the shift towards independent media in the modern era, while continuing his pursuit of journalistic excellence.

In 2023, a documentary titled "While We Watched," directed by Vinay Shukla, focused on Ravish Kumar's life and career, providing insights into his contributions to journalism.

2. Akash Banerjee

Akash Banerjee, an Indian YouTuber, journalist, radio jockey, and political satirist, is recognized for his YouTube channel "The Deshbhakt," a satirical show addressing social, political, and environmental issues. Formerly in Radio Mirchi and Times Now, he covered significant events like the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Disillusioned with TV journalism, he returned to Radio Mirchi before starting his satirical YouTube show blending humor with political commentary.

YouTube Channel

3. Dhruv Rathee

Dhruv Rathee is an Indian YouTuber, vlogger, and social media activist renowned for his YouTube videos covering social, political, and environmental issues. Rathee's political videos often involve fact-checking and explanatory content, addressing various significant events. Notable topics include the Muhammad remarks controversy, Morbi bridge collapse, Pulwama attack, Indian wrestlers' protest, and Manipur violence. He introduced the satirical "fake news" segment Pee News and, in 2020, initiated the Dhruv Rathee Vlogs channel for international travel vlogs.

Website

YouTube Channel

4. Aman Gupta

Aman Gupta, 25, finished his post-graduate degree in 2021 but failed to find a paid-internship opportunity in journalism, despite the fact that his father is a well-established video journalist with one of India’s biggest TV outlets. He had no choice but to work without being paid and ended up just feeling exploited. So, he started his own Youtube channel and now splits his time between this and his job as a teacher.

“I tried to create good content but it was taking time so I switched to teaching. Whenever I have the time, I upload videos to my channel but teaching is my bread and butter for now.”

5. Deepak Sharma

Deepak Sharma, a renowned Indian investigative journalist with 28 years of experience, started his YouTube channel in 2020 with 700,000 followers. Faced with censorship in mainstream media, he shifted to YouTube for freely probing government narratives. Sharma believes YouTube allows unbiased journalism but cautions against young vloggers lacking editorial guidance, who may create sensational and misleading content for short-term gains.

6. Vikas Tiwari

Vikas Tiwari, pen-name Ranu Tiwari, runs the popular YouTube channel Bastar Talkies from Chhattisgarh, India, focusing on tribal issues in the Naxal-affected Bastar region. With 170,000 subscribers in two years, his channel provides on-ground coverage, used by mainstream media. Dissatisfied with pro-government narratives at his previous TV job, Tiwari now solely operates Bastar Talkies, earning modestly but prioritizing unbiased journalism over monetary gains, empowered by YouTube's independent platform.

7. Devanshi Joshi

Devanshi Joshi is a Gujarati Journalist who is containing the spirit of independent media with Jamavat YouTube Cahnnel.

Here are a few good articles or web pages that elaboratively talks about why journalists in India chooses YouTube for journalism not mainstream media.

Why are journalists in India turning to YouTube?

YouTube is the last bastion of unbiased journalism in India

Are YouTubers now as important as TV journalists in shaping Indian politics?

🔷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 narrator's perspective can significantly impact the storytelling and thematic exploration in a novel. In 'Revolution 2020', Chetan Bhagat's decision to narrate the story from Gopal's perspective allows the reader to delve into the struggles and experiences of a student who fails to secure admission into prestigious engineering colleges through competitive exams like JEE and AIEEE. This perspective provides insight into the challenges faced by students in the highly competitive Indian education system and the alternative paths they may pursue, such as Gopal's involvement in establishing an engineering college with Shukla ji's guidance.

However, the novel's title, 'Revolution 2020', suggests a broader focus on the character Raghav's mission to bring about a revolution against corruption in Indian society. Raghav's character is central to this theme, as he starts the newspaper 'Revolution 2020' to further his cause. By narrating the story from Raghav's perspective, the novel could have delved deeper into the core idea of revolution, exploring his motivations, struggles, and the potential impact of his actions on society.

Aarti remains a mere object in the novel, and she is the one who chooses the one that is successful, though not explicitly elaborated in the novel. Initially, I don’t think that if the novel had been told from Aarti's perspective, it could properly justify the title.

Secondly, narrating the story from Aarti's perspective may have offered a unique lens into the love triangle dynamic and the challenges faced by women in navigating societal expectations and personal choices. Aarti's character, although significant in the novel's love storyline, remains somewhat underdeveloped and objectified. Telling the story from her perspective could have provided a more nuanced exploration of her thoughts, emotions, and the internal conflicts she faces in choosing between the two men vying for her affection. But again the relevance of the title will not get explored the way can be explored by Raghav.

While Gopal's perspective allows readers to understand the struggles of a student who fails to secure admission to prestigious engineering colleges, it may limit the novel's ability to fully explore the themes of revolution and societal change. By narrating from Raghav's or Aarti's perspectives, the novel could have delved deeper into these themes, offering a more well-rounded and thought-provoking exploration of the various issues it touches upon.

Conclusion:

Chetan Bhagat's 'Revolution 2020' exposes the corrupt underbelly of India's education system while exploring themes of revolution and gender dynamics. Though narrated from Gopal's perspective, alternative viewpoints like Raghav's or Aarti's could have provided a more comprehensive examination of these issues. The rise of independent journalists on YouTube, exemplified by figures like Ravish Kumar and Deepak Sharma, underscores the growing demand for unbiased reporting amidst censorship in mainstream media. Bhagat's novel and this independent journalism landscape highlight the enduring significance of storytelling, truth-seeking, and amplifying marginalized voices in shaping societal narratives and holding institutions accountable. In a rapidly evolving India grappling with challenges, such critical voices become instrumental in catalyzing meaningful reform.

{Words: 3250

Images: 10

Videos: 3}

References:

Abrol, Monika. “Emerging Trends of Privatization of Education in India.” International Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 8, no. 1, 2016, pp. 1-6. Research India Publications, https://www.ripublication.com/ijea16/ijeav8n1_01.pdf. 

Bhagat, Chetan. “Chetan Bhagat.” Chetan Bhagat : Welcome to Stories, https://www.chetanbhagat.com/.  Accessed 10 March 2024.

Bhagat, Chetan. “Revolution 2020.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution_2020.  Accessed 12 March 2024.

Faleiro, Sonia, et al. “YouTube is the last bastion of unbiased journalism in India.” Rest of World, 19 December 2023, https://restofworld.org/2023/india-youtube-journalism/.  Accessed 10 March 2024.

Kumar, Ravish. “Ravish Kumar Official.” YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@ravishkumar.official. Accessed 11 March 2024.

“Newslaundry.” Newslaundry, https://www.newslaundry.com/.  Accessed 11 March 2024.

Poddar, Umang. “Are YouTubers now as important as TV journalists in shaping Indian politics?” Scroll.in, 19 June 2022, https://scroll.in/article/1025983/news-and-commentary-is-exploding-on-youtube-and-indian-politicians-want-to-control-it.  Accessed 11 March 2024.

Sharma, Saurabh. “Why are journalists in India turning to YouTube?” Al Jazeera Journalism Review, 2 January 2023, https://institute.aljazeera.net/en/ajr/article/2067.  Accessed 9 March 2024.

Times of India. “Greek parliament approves private fo .. Read more at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/108348048.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst. ” Times of India, 9 March 2024,