Sharing from personal experience, an educator in Nagaland advocates vigilance against degree or award for money. Sharing from personal experience, an educator in Nagaland advocates vigilance against degree or award for money. (Background Image: 472301 from Pixabay)
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Morung Express news
Kohima | October 28
Nagaland may be no stranger to fraudulent enterprises that purportedly offer awards or accolades in exchange for payments, often claimed to be from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating outside the state.
Surprisingly, some have accepted this kind of awards in the past, and civil societies have also gone to congratulate their awardees.
In a similar case, a college principal narrated how an award reached her without her knowledge and consent and later got called to pay an amount, although she had not accepted the award.
As conceited as it may seem, the principal was said to have been nominated for the 'Rising Women of India Award' for outstanding services, achievement, and contribution in educational excellence at a seminar on Economic Growth and National Unity.
The award had come from an organisation based in New Delhi.
Modus Operandi
This is not the first instance, she shared, further opining that a similar modus operandi has been observed where these organisations propose a return of money.
In the present incident, the principal was called after a parcel containing a memento, medal, and letter had reached the institution's address under her name.
In the letter, it was mentioned that the principal had to pay a certain amount, "to meet actual expenses incurred for the wooden plaque, gold and silver trophy, gold medal, proposed book, courier or postal, and miscellaneous expenses to be remitted in advance by demand draft."
"I have not applied for it or given any consent for the award. I was told that persons from Nagaland had recommended the name of the academician in a seminar," she shared.
Incidentally, when the principal declined to acknowledge the award or pay any amount, they asked her to send back the package to them.
The principal mentioned that this isn't the first occurrence and such "blatant offers" were made were ignored in the past.
However, she noted that it is crucial to raise awareness among our community because there is a growing trend of Nagaland becoming a prime target for such fraudulent businesses.
She further observed that most of these awards come from mainland India.
"This is not the first time that this kind of people comes telling us to send our bio-data along with some certain amount of money."
Another common modus operandi is the bogus organisations create an impression of credibility by attaching names of eminent personalities as having received the award in the offer letter.
This may similarly be happening to other academicians or people in different fields.
In another instance, a person from Nagaland had accepted multiple awards from the same organisation and was published by a local daily.
Concerned about the same, the principal stressed the importance of earning degrees the right way, which should be strive to be earn.
"Whether degrees or awards, in that matter, if they involve money, they should be looked down upon. Our people should not be taken for a ride," she opined, discouraging people from accepting any awards or degrees that involve money without having any value but seemingly highlighting a sense of pride for the individual.
