Revolution 2020

About Author

Chetan Bhagat is an Indian author, columnist, and motivational speaker known for his bestselling novels that often explore themes related to love, relationships, and contemporary social issues in India. He gained immense popularity with his debut novel "Five Point Someone," which was published in 2004. The book, set in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi, became a bestseller and was later adapted into the Bollywood movie "3 Idiots."

Some of his other notable works include "One Night @ the Call Center," "The 3 Mistakes of My Life," "2 States," "Revolution 2020," and "Half Girlfriend." His books have been widely read not only in India but also internationally, and many of them have been adapted into successful Bollywood films.

Aside from his literary career, Bhagat is also known for his columns in major Indian newspapers and for his participation in public speaking events, where he often discusses topics ranging from education to politics to youth empowerment. He has been both praised and criticized for his writing style, with some lauding his ability to connect with young readers and others critiquing the simplicity of his prose and the themes explored in his novels. Nevertheless, he remains one of the most influential contemporary authors in India.  

About Novel

"Revolution 2020" is a novel written by Chetan Bhagat, published in 2011. Set in the backdrop of the city of Varanasi, India, the story revolves around three main characters: Gopal Mishra, Raghav Mishra, and Aarti Mishra.

Gopal, the protagonist, is from a lower-middle-class family and dreams of becoming rich and successful. Raghav, his childhood friend, is idealistic and passionate about bringing about change in society. Aarti is the girl they both love, but she is more inclined towards Raghav due to his integrity and principles.

The novel explores the themes of corruption, love, ambition, and the education system in India. Gopal, driven by his desire for wealth and success, takes the path of corruption and manipulation. He starts an engineering college with the help of a corrupt politician and becomes involved in unethical practices to ensure its success.

On the other hand, Raghav starts a revolution against corruption and injustice. He becomes a journalist and exposes the corrupt practices in the education system and politics. Aarti is caught between the two men, torn between her love for Raghav and her sympathy for Gopal.

As the story progresses, Gopal's actions lead to his downfall, while Raghav gains popularity as a crusader against corruption. Aarti realizes the true nature of both men and makes her choice.

The novel concludes with a reflection on the consequences of corruption and the need for genuine change in society. It highlights the struggles and choices faced by individuals in a corrupt system and the power of idealism and integrity in bringing about revolution and change. 

Major Characters 

Gopal Mishra: Hailing from Varanasi, Gopal faces the harsh realities of life due to poverty. His aspiration is to become wealthy. He gets a low ranking in the AIEEE exams and moves to Kota for coaching classes. Later, he becomes entangled in corruption when a politician offers him a deal related to valuable family land. (Copilot)

Aarti Pradhan: Daughter of an IAS officer and granddaughter of a former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Aarti shares a platonic relationship with Gopal. As a teenager, Gopal pushes for more, but Aarti reveals she’s not ready. During Gopal’s absence, Aarti falls for their mutual friend, Raghav. (Copilot)

Raghav Kashyap: Raghav, from a well-off family, aspires to create a revolution in India by fighting corruption. He becomes a celebrity after passing the IIT entrance exam. His journey involves journalism and a pursuit of integrity.

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

In "Revolution 2020," Chetan Bhagat also delves into the significance of journalism alongside the themes of education, love, and corruption. The theme of journalism is embodied through the character of Raghav. While "Revolution 2020" was written in 2011, its relevance extends to contemporary times. Today, there are many real-life individuals similar to Raghav, who are bravely fighting against government corruption and striving to uphold the truth.

These are some ideas that can be interesting to look at.

Because of social media and websites, regular people can now share news and talk about different topics, just like Raghav does. This means that anyone can be a journalist and share information without needing approval from big media companies. This way, more people can speak up, and things become clearer for everyone. However, at the same time, the authenticity of the news is questionable.

Raghav's journalism is different from what you usually see in the news. It offers a different viewpoint and questions the ideas that big media companies usually push. This matches with how many people today don't fully trust big media and want other sources of news that are more honest and varied. If we see some of the real examples for this:-

Substack and independent newsletters: Platforms like Substack have enabled journalists and writers to create their own independent newsletters, offering analysis and perspectives that may differ from the mainstream media narrative. For instance, journalists like Matt Taibbi and Bari Weiss have built substantial followings through their Substack newsletters, where they provide commentary and investigative reporting that often goes against the grain of popular media discourse.

Independent YouTube Channels in India:

 Sanjay Dixit's Channel (Railway Dixit): Sanjay Dixit, a former Indian Railway Services officer, runs a popular channel that covers various social, political, and economic issues in India. He is known for his critical analysis and commentary on government policies, corruption, and public affairs.

 

Dhruv Rathee: A young YouTuber known for his fact-based, well-researched videos on a range of topics, including politics, social issues, and current affairs. He often counters misinformation and provides alternative perspectives to mainstream media narratives.

 

Akash Banerjee: Akash Banerjee is an independent journalist and YouTuber who covers a wide range of topics, from politics and policy analysis to social and cultural issues. He is known for his critical commentary and interviews with experts and public figures.

 

The Quint: While The Quint is a mainstream digital media platform, their mobile edition on YouTube often features independent voices and citizen journalism, offering ground-level perspectives on various issues.

 

The Deshbhakt: A satirical channel that uses humor and parody to comment on political and social issues in India. It provides an alternative take on current events and challenges popular narratives through its satirical content.

 

Soch by Mohak Mangal: Mohak Mangal is a young content creator who explores various social and political issues from a critical lens, offering perspectives that may differ from mainstream media coverage.

 

Newslaundry: Newslaundry is an independent media organization that runs a YouTube channel, featuring in-depth analysis, interviews, and commentary on news and current affairs, often challenging the narratives of traditional media outlets.

 

Newsclick: An independent digital news platform that covers a range of issues, including politics, economics, and social affairs, with a focus on alternative viewpoints and marginalized voices.

The Wire: While primarily a news website, The Wire also has a YouTube channel that features interviews, discussions, and analysis from independent journalists and experts, providing perspectives that may differ from mainstream media coverage.

These independent YouTube channels in India aim to fill the gaps left by traditional media outlets, offering alternative narratives, critical analysis, and diverse viewpoints on various issues. They cater to audiences seeking unfiltered and honest perspectives, much like Raghav's journalism in Revolution 2020.

Citizen journalism and eyewitness reporting: During major events or protests, citizen journalists and eyewitnesses often provide on-the-ground reporting and firsthand accounts that contradict or supplement the coverage by mainstream media. For instance, during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, citizen journalists played a crucial role in documenting incidents of police brutality and offering a counter-narrative to the portrayal by some traditional media outlets.

Podcasts and digital media: Podcasts and digital media platforms have provided a space for alternative voices and perspectives to thrive. Shows like "The Joe Rogan Experience," "The Ben Shapiro Show," and "The Ezra Klein Show" attract large audiences by offering viewpoints and discussions that may not always align with the narratives promoted by traditional media outlets.

Raghav's journalism is linked to the fight against corruption shown in the story. Nowadays, people who report news and talk about issues on social media play a big part in making social movements stronger. They help spread the word about different causes, like protecting the environment or protesting against unfair politics.

Raghav's reporting shows how important it is to make sure powerful people are responsible for their actions. Nowadays, regular people who share news and those who speak out against wrongdoing have helped uncover cases of corruption and other bad behavior. This part of Raghav's work connects with the ongoing call for honesty and responsibility in places like government, businesses, and other organizations.