• Sprouts SIT Reveals the Facts
• An Honorary Doctorate Worth Tissue Paper
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sptouts News Exclusive
Bollywood actress and influencer Riva Arora recently announced she had received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) in Digital Influence and Women’s Empowerment from Adi Shankar Vedic University. The 18-year-old actress shared her excitement on social media, describing the accolade as a “dream come true.”
However, this announ has been met with skepticism and criticism. Netizens questioned the legitimacy of awarding such a degree to someone of her age and experience, with comments like, “Kabhi tuition ya school bhi gayi hai,” and, “Seriously iss age mein bhi PhD degree de rahe hain followers ke wajah se. PhD degree ko bhi mazak bana diya hai.”
ALSO READ: DY PATIL COLLEGE SCAM.
Further investigation by the Sprouts Special Investigation Team (SIT) has raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of Adi Shankar Vedic University. According to their findings, the institution is allegedly a “paper university,” existing only through basic company registration in the Netherlands without proper accreditation or authorization to confer academic degrees. Sprouts SIT reports that such entities exploit gaps in corporate laws, operate from virtual offices and sell honorary doctorates for substantial fees.
The proliferation of these unaccredited institutions has broader implications for the credibility of academic qualifications. In a similar incident in 2023, the International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council organized a ceremony at Anna University in Chennai, where honorary doctorates were awarded to various individuals, including celebrities It was later revealed that this council did not exist, leading Anna University to initiate legal action against the organizers for misusing its premises.
Honorary degrees are typically conferred by accredited institutions to honor individuals’ contributions to specific fields or society at large. These degrees are purely titular and do not equate to formal academic qualifications. Recipients are generally advised to list them as awards rather than educational credentials.
The recent revelations about Adi Shankar Vedic University have sparked discussions about the due diligence required before accepting such honors. They also highlight the responsibility of media outlets to verify the legitimacy of institutions before reporting on such accolades. As the situation unfolds, it serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of scrutinizing the authenticity of honorary degrees and the entities that grant them.
Prominent Indian Figures Implicated in Fake Doctorate Scandal
Recent investigations by the Sprouts Special Investigation Team (SIT) have revealed that several high-profile Indian personalities have allegedly obtained fraudulent honorary doctorate degrees. Among those implicated are:
– Spiritual Leader:
Shri Shri Ravi Shankar
– Motivational Speaker:
Vivek Bindra
– Actor:
Abhijit Bichkule
– Media Proprietor:
Suresh Chavhanke, owner of Sudarshan News channel
The SIT’s investigation suggests that these individuals acquired their PhDs from unaccredited institutions, rendering the degrees invalid. Furthermore, there are allegations that they paid media outlets for publicity, potentially misleading the public regarding their credentials.
This revelation raises significant concerns about the authenticity of academic honors and the ethical responsibilities of public figures. It also underscores the imperative for media organizations to diligently verify the legitimacy of such accolades before disseminating information to the public.
• ‘Sprouts’ appeals to the public to beware of this racket- unless fake image-building is your thing.
Roster of Fraudsters
Beware of these individuals selling bogus PhD degrees. Contact the police immediately if you have been scammed:
Maharshi Keshvananda, Anil Nair Thampi, Dinesh Kishor Gupta, Akepe Linus Enobi, Avinash Pawar, Joseph Legend Mfon, Musharrof Hossain, Vivek Choudhari- ESRDS, Siddic A Muhammed (Dubai), Kalyanji Jana, Riyas Sulaima Lebbe, Francisco Sardinha, Tapan Kumar Rautaray, Pawan Kumar Bhoot, Madhu Krishan, Ghanshyam Sakharam Kolambe, Peeyush Pandit, Abhishek Pandey, Mahendra Shamkant Deshpande (Nashik-Saputara-Gujarat), Lal Bahadur Rana (Nepal), Sunil Singh Pardeshi, Mangesh Deshmukh, Nareshchandra Kathole- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh IAS Academy, Amravati, Kishor Baliram Patil- (Bhivandi- reporter), Vishwas Arote (Akole- reporter), Surykant Rawool, Tarvinder Singh, Kiran Bongale (Sangli), Anwar Sheikh (Pune), BuAbdullah, Lokesh Muni (Ahinsa Vishwa Bharati ), Kavita Bajaj and Mansukh Damji Tank – (Rajkumar Tank), Gaurav Shah- BJP, Anajni Kumar- Delhi, Anwar Shaikh (Pune ), Harshad Madhukar Sangle (Pune)
• List of fake universities awarding
bogus PhD degrees:
bogus PhD degrees:
► Gandhi Peace Foundation Nepal
► World Culture and Environment Protection Commission
► The George Washington University of Peace, United States of America
► American East Coast University
► Socrates Social Research University
► World Human Rights Protection Commission (WHPRC)
► World Peace of United Nations University
► Mount Elbert Central University
► Maryland State University
► The University of Macaria
► Theophany University
► The Open International University of Complementary Medicine, Sri Lanka
► University of America Hawaii and Inox International University
► World Mystic Science Institute (OPC) Private Limited
► University of South America
► Southwestern American University
► The American University, USA
► Zoroastrian University
► Vinayaka Missions Singhania
► Adi Shankar Vedic University, Netherlands
► American Heritage University of Southern California (AHUSC)
► Peace University
► Global Human Rights Trust (GHRT)
► Trinity World University, UK
► St Mother Teresa University
► American University of Global Peace
► Jeeva Theological Open University
► World Peace Institute of United Nations
► Global Human Peace University
► Bharat Virtual University for Peace and Education
► National Global Peace University
► Ballsbridge University
► International Open University of Humanity Health, Science and Peace, USA
► Harshal University
► International Internship University
► British National University of Queen Mary
► Jordan River University
► Boston Imperial University
► Dayspring Christian University
► South Western American University
► Global Triumph Virtual University
► Vikramshila Hindi Vidyapeeth
► Jnana Deepa University (Pune)
► Oxfaa University
► Mount Elbert Central University
► Maa Bhuvaneshwari International University
► The Institute of Entrepreneurship and Management Studies (IEMS)
► Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon
► Central Christian University
► Azteca University
► University of Swahili
► Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Lok Vidyapith, Amravati
► International Human Rights Ambassador International Peace Corps Association
► Indo Global University, Hyderabad
► Mount Elbert Central University
► McSTEM Eduversity, USA
► Social Awareness and Peace University
► Indian School of Management and Studies
► Socrates Social Research University
► International Global Peace University
► Ballsbridge University
► Commonwealth of Dominica
► International Anti-corruption and Human Rights Council
► Bharat Virtual University
► Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hindi Vidyapith
► The George Washington University of Peace
► Asia Vedic Culture Research University
► Magic Book of Record
► European Digital University (EDU)
► Hessen International University
► Chicago Open University
► Global Conclave Virtual University
► Global Cocord Virtual University
► Cambridge Digital of University
► America Internation University (AIU)
List of NGOs giving fake
awards and degrees:
awards and degrees:
► Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Awards Film Organisation
► Shri Dadasaheb Phalke International Award Film Foundation
► World Human Protection Commission
► Mahatma Gandhi Global Peace Foundation
► Empower Social and Education Trust
► Nelson Mandela Nobel Award Academy
► Diplomatic Mission Global Peace
