Revolution 2020

 Rⓔⓥⓞⓛution 2020

“Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less, and suffer the less? That is, I think, finally, the only real question.”

                                                      (Bhagat)

This blog is a part of a Thinking Activity given by Dilip Barad sir from the Department of English, MKBU. In this blog I am going to discuss the 'Revolution Twenty20' by Chetan Bhagat and some questions related to this novel.

                  

Chetan Bhagat : 

Chetan Bhagat is the author of fourteen blockbuster books. These include ten novels – Five Point Someone (2004), One Night @ the Call Center (2005), The 3 Mistakes Of My Life (2008), 2 States (2009), Revolution 2020 (2011), Half Girlfriend (2014), One Indian Girl (2016) The Girl In Room 105 (2018), One Arranged Murder (2020), 400 Days (2021) and four non-fiction titles— What Young India Wants (2012) Making India Awesome(2015), India Positive (2019) and 11 Rules For Life (2024). Chetan’s books have remained bestsellers since their release. His latest book, 11 Rules For Life, is a straight-talking guide that will change your life.(“Books – Chetan Bhagat”)

Chetan Bhagat is an Indian author, columnist, screenwriter, and speaker. He was born in 1974 in Delhi. He studied at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. He is considered one of the most popular English language fiction writers in India. His novels include bestsellers like Five Point Someone (2004), One Night @ the Call Center (2005), The 3 Mistakes of My Life (2008), 2 States (2009), and Revolution 2020 (2011).

Many of his books depict the lives of young urban middle-class Indians and touch on issues like college life, work environments, relationships and social tensions.

Several of his novels have been adapted into popular Bollywood films like 3 Idiots, Kai Po Che and 2 States. He has written columns for English newspapers like The Times of India and Dainik Bhaskar on youth issues. He was included in Time magazine's list of World's 100 Most Influential People in 2010. Chetan Bhagat is a very popular and influential Indian author known for his contemporary fiction aimed at younger Indian audiences. (Claude AI)

Revolution 2020: 

Welcome to Revolution 2020. 

A story about childhood friends Gopal, Raghav and Aarti who struggle to find success and love in Varanasi. However, it isn’t easy to achieve this in an unfair society that rewards the corrupt. As Gopal gives in to the system, and Raghav fights it, who will win?

• In a small town of India, there lived two intelligent boys.

• One wanted to use his intelligence to make money.

• One wanted to use his intelligence to create a revolution.

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

"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. (Bhagat)

Major Characters

Gopal Mishra - The protagonist, from a lower-middle-class family, who is driven by an intense ambition for wealth and success. He takes the unethical path of corruption by starting an engineering college through dubious means with the help of a corrupt politician.

Raghav Mishra - Gopal's childhood friend who is the idealistic antithesis. He becomes a journalist and crusader against corruption, exposing malpractices in the education system and politics to spark a revolution against injustice.

Aarti Mishra - The female lead and love interest of both Gopal and Raghav. She is torn between her love for Raghav's integrity and principles, and her sympathies for Gopal's circumstances.

The Corrupt Politician - Though not named, this politician helps Gopal set up his corrupt engineering college by engaging in unethical practices, representative of the deep-rooted corruption in Indian politics. (Claude AI)

# Social realism of corruption in private education system

India has made remarkable progress in expanding access to education. The educational system faces challenges from unscrupulous practices and excessive commercialization within the sector. Most Indian parents deeply value providing their children with a good education.

Unfortunately, corruption has permeated the education system. Instead of prioritizing holistic human development, many modern educational institutions are overly focused on profit-making and consumerism. Corruption, once confined to government offices, businesses, and law enforcement, has now taken root in the education sector as well. Schools are no longer sanctuaries of learning, but have become marketplaces peddling low-quality education.

Corruption in education refers to the organized exploitation of public office for private gain, severely impacting the availability, quality, access, equity, and outcomes of educational goods and services. India's education system is currently plagued by inconsistencies and lapses. Even the regulatory and oversight bodies meant to govern India's education sector have been implicated in corruption cases.

India's primary anti-corruption legislation is the comprehensive Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988. Over the years, the judiciary has taken a keen interest in laying the groundwork to combat unethical, malicious, and profiteering actions by public officials at the expense of the people they are meant to serve.

• PROBLEMS IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

The importance of education in today’s world cannot be overstated. But how bright can the future be when education itself is rigged. The corruption is a result of the new challenges in the education system such as decentralization, growth of competition among the students, etc. In the education system, corruption has taken its grip by the bribes being paid for admission or good grades and many other ways such as embezzlement of funds allocated to purchase teaching material or for the building of the school’s infrastructure. All this just comes down to the poor quality of education, limited access to resources, and a corrupted educational system. The governing bodies governing the educational institutes form rules, regulations, and guidelines from time to time to regulate the functioning of educational institutes. Many educational institutions are currently unable to affiliate with these regulatory bodies because they lack[2] the minimal teaching and non-teaching staff, laboratory, and equipment requirements set forth by the regulatory body.

Many private colleges have begun offering courses in a variety of disciplines without the necessary infrastructure or trained instructors. This growth has led to the selling of prestigious degrees as some goods. Corrupt educational institutes make money through Entrance tests, coaching centres, etc. Under the guise of a seat quota for management, they are exploiting donations to obtain money for admissions. Institutes charge high fees which not everyone can afford. There has also been corruption in the recruitment of the teachers leading to favouritism and poor quality of education. According to a report on education corruption[3] conducted by UNESCO’s International Institute of Educational Planning, India has one of the highest rates of teacher absenteeism in the world, at 25%. Although not all teacher absences are evidence of corruption, they all have a negative influence on student learning. Corruption is rife in India’s student scholarship system, and false nominations pose a serious threat to qualified students, causing delays and a loss of scholarship funds. Drawbacks of the education sector areas: this kind of education makes the mere test and exams a verdict of the intelligence of the student, good character and the talent or skills of the student is being neglected which will lead to the no contribution of this generation in the development of the country. These disgruntled teenagers occasionally come in contact with anti-social elements, prompting them to engage in anti-national, disruptive, and destructive behaviour.(Dhage)

• LEGAL ADVOCACY IN THE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR

The Supreme Court in Subramanian Swamy v. Manmohan Singh[4], took a permissive stance in defining how courts should perceive anti-corruption laws in India, stating unambiguously that in a situation where two constructions are equally plausible, the Court must recognize the one that seeks to corrupt officials over the one that seeks to perpetuate it. In recent years, the education sector has been plagued by disputes and scams. The Supreme Court in 2013 invalidated the degrees of 634 doctors who were involved in the Vyapam Scam and the MBBS Admission Scam in the same year. In both decisions, the Court acted as a defender of the rule of law, emphasizing the aim to construct a nation based on the ideals of ethics and character, where fraud could not be permitted to undermine the nation’s core values. The decision in the matter of State of Gujarat v. Mansukhbhai Kanjibhai Shah[5] is yet another attempt by the judiciary to build on and consolidate previous achievements by broadening the scope of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 to make it more effective in practice. The judiciary in India has always sought to function as an independent and impartial body, dedicated to serving as the custodian of the Constitution of India, and envision a society free from disputes, where transparency and accountability become the bulwark of efficient functioning of the setup.(Dhage)

• HOW CAN THIS PROBLEM BE SOLVED?

There has to be a demand for quality education. If the quality of the education improves, the demand will rise eventually. All the policies should be clear and easily understandable as they will give clarity to the parents, students, and everyone involved in the process to avoid unfair practices. Reporting of suspected corruption without fear of retaliation, confidential complaint channels are vital for the eradication of the issue. Teachers should be admitted only after checking for proof of their experience and qualification so the quality of the education is not compromised. External audits must be conducted regularly to detect and prevent fraud. In addition, frequent school inspections can help to prevent teacher management and behaviour corruption as it will keep everything in check from time to time if there is an issue that can be resolved. Unfair practices and favouritism should be stopped and admissions should be based on merit. Education must be geared toward the complete development of the human personality as well as the reinforcement of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Corruption in the educational system undermines public trust and lowers people’s ability and willingness to participate in democratic processes.(Dhage)

• CONCLUSION

It is impossible to stress the importance of quality education in developing India for it to achieve higher heights in all areas of life while maintaining its democracy and secularism. India’s low place in global corruption rankings implies that more work remains to be done. To address the issue of corruption, it is critical to strengthen the legal foundations. Accountability in the hiring, advancement, and reward of public officials would go a long way toward realizing the ideal of a corrupt-free society. The conclusion that we might draw is that India can reclaim its status as a wealthy knowledge-rich land rich in ethics and moral beauty even in modern times. The only thing we can do is develop ourselves, and stringent laws are required to recognize the good and penalize the bad, regardless of the sector. Only if all of these actions are implemented will the country see a big beneficial impact.(Dhage)

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world".

- Nelson Mandela

• Top 10 Best Education Systems in the World

Each education system comes with its own sets of strengths and challenges. The educational system reflects the social, economic, and cultural contexts of the respective countries or communities at large. Education has a very important significance in the lives of individuals and societies at large. Irrespective of the geographical location or the cultural background, it is crucial to safeguard and nurture our educational system to protect and upskill our knowledge.

Top 10 Best Education Systems in the World - AECCClick Here to know more…

In Chetan Bhagat's novel "Revolution 2020," the author delves into the theme of the education system, although it may sometimes be overshadowed by the love triangle involving Raghav, Aarti, and Gopal. Bhagat presents the corrupt nature of the education system through the character of Gopal, who represents the flaws and malpractices prevalent in the system.

Chetan Bhagat indirectly touches upon the issue of corruption in private coaching centers, particularly in cities like Kota, which cater to highly competitive exams such as the IIT and JEE Advanced. While this aspect is not explicitly depicted in the novel, it serves as a subtle nod to the broader corruption that plagues the education sector. Through his narrative, Bhagat sheds light on the systemic issues within the education system, highlighting the need for reform and transparency. The novel, though primarily focused on the romantic storyline, serves as a commentary on the challenges faced by students and the exploitation that often occurs in the pursuit of academic excellence.

# CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE OF RAGHAV'S JOURNALISM

In "Revolution 2020," Chetan Bhagat explores the theme of journalism through the character of Raghav, whose approach to reporting offers a refreshing departure from the narratives often perpetuated by mainstream media outlets. Raghav's brand of journalism questions the established ideas and perspectives propagated by large media companies, resonating with the growing sentiment among many individuals who seek alternative sources of information that are more honest, diverse, and free from corporate or political influences.

In this context, Raghav's character embodies the spirit of those real-life individuals who are courageously challenging government corruption and striving to uncover the truth, often at great personal risk. While the novel was written in 2011, its portrayal of journalism remains highly relevant in contemporary times. 

Today, there is a growing distrust towards traditional media organizations, fueling the demand for independent voices and platforms that can provide unbiased and fearless reporting. 

Chetan Bhagat's exploration of journalism alongside the themes of education, love, and corruption underscores the vital role that honest and ethical reporting plays in exposing societal ills and holding those in power accountable. Through Raghav's character, the author highlights the significance of journalists who are willing to go against the grain and question the status quo, serving as beacons of truth in an increasingly complex and often opaque world.

• Independent (Youtuber Journalist) YouTube Channels in India : 

Ravish Kumar : Ravish Kumar is an Indian journalist, author and media personality. Until recently, he was the Senior Executive Editor of NDTV India, hosting a number of programs including the channel's flagship weekday show Prime Time, Hum Log, Ravish Ki Report, and Des Ki Baat. He has been twice conferred with Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award for the Best Journalist of the Year and became the fifth Indian journalist to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2019.

Dhruv Rathee : Dhruv Rathee is an Indian YouTuber, vlogger and social media activist. He is known for his YouTube videos on social, political, and environmental issues. He often counters misinformation and provides alternative perspectives to mainstream media narratives. 

Newsclick : This platform is an independent, ad-free digital news outlet that covers a wide array of topics, including politics, economics, and social issues. What sets Newsclick apart is its commitment to presenting alternative viewpoints and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Through its articles, videos, and podcasts, Newsclick aims to provide in-depth analysis and perspectives that challenge the dominant narratives propagated by mainstream media.

The Wire : Its news website. The Wire has also established a strong presence on YouTube. Its channel serves as a platform for insightful interviews, thought-provoking discussions, and incisive analysis from a diverse panel of independent journalists and subject matter experts. By offering a range of perspectives that often diverge from the mainstream media's coverage, The Wire's YouTube channel has become a valuable resource for those seeking nuanced and unbiased perspectives on contemporary issues.

Work Cited : 

“Best Education System in the World.” AECC, 15 November 2023, https://www.aeccglobal.in/blog/best-education-system-in-the-world . Accessed 22 March 2024.

Bhagat, Chetan. Revolution 2020. Rupa & Company, 2011.

“Books – Chetan Bhagat.” Chetan Bhagat, https://www.chetanbhagat.com/books/ . Accessed 22 April 2024.

"Claude AI." ClaudeAI.com, Claude Technologies Inc., 2022, https://www.claudeai.com/

Dhage, Dakshita. “CORRUPTION IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN INDIA.” Jus Corpus Law Journal, no. 0, 2022, https://www.juscorpus.com/corruption-in-the-education-system-in-india/# . Accessed 22 April 2024.

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