Latest news with #Atharv
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Now, Indians eye US entry through paid authorships; fake papers used to fast-track EB1A visas
HYDERABAD: With US immigration authorities tightening the noose around visa-related fraud, a new malpractice is gaining traction among Indians eyeing entry into America: buying authorship in journals to land an EB1A visa. This visa is awarded to individuals with "extraordinary ability" in science, arts, business, or athletics, and fast-tracks their green card route. As per United States Citizenship and Immigration Services norms, an individual must fulfil at least three out of the 10 criteria to secure an EB1A visa. One of these is evidence of authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major publications. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The waiting period for a green card through this visa is about three years, while through other visas (like H1B) it stretches up to decades. Visa shortcut for Rs 1.6 lakh: Fake authorship slots up for grabs Many mid-career professionals with decent pay packages and leading positions in big firms - which are also part of the 10 criteria - are the ones usually opting for this route. "That way, their profile checks two boxes and the third can be bought," alleged Abhishek Bakare, a Seattle-based software engineer who developed ScholarlyTrust - a free AI tool that vets the credibility of academic journals and papers using public data - and has extensively investigated this "trend". Multiple other sources TOI spoke to confirmed it. They claimed applicants pay a hefty sum of anywhere between $500 and $2,000 (Rs 43,000-1.6 lakh) to agents operating in both India and the US to buy authorship slots in academic research papers - often as third or fourth authors. These agents, in turn, broker deals with journals or conference organisers to sneak their clients' names into pre-written manuscripts or arrange ghostwritten submissions altogether. These doctored publications are then flaunted as "evidence" in EB1A petitions, despite the visa requiring original contributions to one's field of work. One such software-developer-turned-agent in the US, who identified himself as Atharv, said, "I have two papers ready with fourth author positions, each priced at $500. The payment is to be made via UPI apps. The paper will be presented at a conference in Paris, which only the lead author needs to attend, which means that individuals availing these services will not have to do anything after their names are listed." Some agents, sources alleged, even offer slots in backdated articles. A tout based out of India, who identified himself as Rishab, claimed, "We have a 2022 article where the third author slot is available for ₹20,000. We have tie-ups with publication facilitators. Once the payment is made upfront, names will be added immediately. We also offer peer-reviewed article options." Several of these "authors" are now in the US, claimed Bakare. "They have added papers to their work portfolios and even showcased them on LinkedIn, falsely claiming authorship," he said, adding that he stumbled upon this practice while analysing datasets through ScholarlyTrust. "I started noticing patterns: odd clusters of publications from India, vague authorship, and dodgy conference listings... later, when I posed as a prospective client and spoke to brokers in India and the US, I found that they offered everything - authorship slots, peer review roles, even judging panels (another of the 10 criteria) to falsely bolster EB1A applications," Bakare alleged. While the number of takers from the two Telugu states remains modest for now, interest is spiking - especially from IT professionals hoping to upgrade from work visas to EB1A status, said Arun Teja, a Hyderabad-based immigration consultant. "But with the US ramping up scrutiny, this loophole is also likely to close soon," he said.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Uttarakhand students shine in JEE Advanced
File image used for representative purpose. DEHRADUN: Seventeen-year-old Atharv Kumar from Roorkee secured All-India Rank (AIR) of 2048 in JEE Advanced, with a category rank of 358 in the OBC list. The results were announced by IIT Kanpur. Of the 1,80,422 students who appeared for the exam on May 18, a total of 54,378 qualified. From the IIT Roorkee zone, which includes Uttarakhand, 5,445 candidates cleared the exam, with six securing ranks in the top 100. Atharv, the only child of a single mother, says he always had a strong affinity for mathematics. 'But Physics is also one of my favourite subjects,' added the shy teenager, who hopes to pursue Computational Mathematics. He scored 87.4% in his Class 12 board exams. Despite a packed schedule that included school, 5-6 hours of coaching, and several hours of self-study, Atharv says he made it a point to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. 'In my downtime, I would catch up with friends or just go out for walks to relax,' he said. He added that he was never bothered about chasing a rank. 'I focused on getting my concepts clear and retaining everything I studied,' he said. Another student from the region, 16-year-old Abhinav Hansraj from Miyanwala in Dehradun, also cleared the exam with flying colours. He secured an AIR of 1146 in the SC category and scored 81% in his board exams. His father is a govt schoolteacher currently posted in Kalsi. 'There has to be a balance between academics and downtime; otherwise, your focus starts to slip,' said Abhinav, who is an avid trekker and aspires to study Computer Science.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
U'khand students shine in JEE Advanced
Dehradun: Seventeen-year-old Atharv Kumar from Roorkee secured All-India Rank (AIR) of 2048 in JEE Advanced, with a category rank of 358 in the OBC list. The results were announced by IIT Kanpur. Of the 1,80,422 students who appeared for the exam on May 18, a total of 54,378 qualified. From the IIT Roorkee zone, which includes Uttarakhand, 5,445 candidates cleared the exam, with six securing ranks in the top 100. Atharv, the only child of a single mother, says he always had a strong affinity for mathematics. "But Physics is also one of my favourite subjects," added the shy teenager, who hopes to pursue Computational Mathematics. He scored 87.4% in his Class 12 board exams. Despite a packed schedule that included school, 5-6 hours of coaching, and several hours of self-study, Atharv says he made it a point to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. "In my downtime, I would catch up with friends or just go out for walks to relax," he said. He added that he was never bothered about chasing a rank. "I focused on getting my concepts clear and retaining everything I studied," he said. Another student from the region, 16-year-old Abhinav Hansraj from Miyanwala in Dehradun, also cleared the exam with flying colours. He secured an AIR of 1146 in the SC category and scored 81% in his board exams. His father is a govt schoolteacher currently posted in Kalsi. "There has to be a balance between academics and downtime; otherwise, your focus starts to slip," said Abhinav, who is an avid trekker and aspires to study Computer Science.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Wagle Ki Duniya: Will Rajesh Wagle save his son Atharv from his own destructive choices?
In Wagle Ki Duniya – Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey, emotions run high as Atharv (Sheehan Kapahi) finds himself caught in a web of his own making. Upset at being blamed for his school football team's defeat, Atharv hatches a plan to replace Coach Shukla (Ashutosh Priyadarshini), unaware of the coach's financial hardships and his pregnant wife's condition. Determined to prove his point, Atharv misleads Vice Principal Mr. Bhiwandiwala (Jay Kapdiya) into believing that his uncle Manoj (Vipul Deshpande), despite being unqualified, is a better fit for the role. However, just when Atharv believes things are falling into place, Manoj announces he's moving out of Mumbai for a new job—leaving the school in a lurch and Atharv's plan exposed. The truth surfaces when Coach Shukla reaches out to Rajesh Wagle and reveals the full extent of Atharv's manipulation. Shocked and disheartened, Rajesh is left to confront his son's actions. Sumeet Raghavan, who essays the role of Rajesh Wagle, shared, 'As a parent, Rajesh is deeply shaken by Atharv's actions. It's not just about right or wrong—it's about understanding why a child made a certain choice. Atharv's need to prove himself leads him down a path where he unknowingly hurts someone else, and that hits Rajesh hard. This storyline really highlights the emotional dilemma parents face: how do you support your child while also helping them see the gravity of their mistakes?' As the Wagle family navigates this emotional storm, the show continues to reflect everyday struggles of the middle class with warmth and honesty. Meanwhile, the mystery of the talking crow is also resolved, as Rajesh exposes Subash (Konark Dinkar) as a ventriloquist tricking people for money.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Class 10 toppers skipped social media to climb ladder of success
1 2 Lucknow: As the CBSE Class 10 results were declared on Tuesday, students across Lucknow celebrated the outcome of their year-long perseverance. For the high scorers, the road to success was paved not just with textbooks, but with consistency, self-discipline and an unwavering focus on V Dishawal, a student of Lucknow Public School, Sector I, has emerged as one of the top scorers with an impressive 98.8% marks. He secured perfect 100 in mathematics and information technology. Reflecting on his academic journey, Atharv shared, "I made a promise to myself at the start of the academic year to give it my all. This meant eliminating distractions like social media and unnecessary outings, and focusing on studies, revising regularly, and staying consistent. It wasn't easy as there were moments of fatigue and self-doubt, but I kept my bigger goal in mind."Atharv humbly attributed his success to the support of his parents and teachers. Ishaan Singh, a student of Delhi Public School, Indiranagar, has excelled in his CBSE Class 10 exams, scoring an impressive 98.6% with full marks in maths and science. According to Ishaan, his success can be attributed to his unwavering focus and clear goals. "From the start, my aim was to make it to IIT, and that clarity guided me throughout the year," he said. He emphasised the importance of focus, quoting a mantra that resonated with him: "Focus beats talent when talent doesn't focus." "I wasn't chasing shortcuts or comparing myself with others. There were days when I felt overwhelmed or tired, but I never let go of the routine. Staying away from distractions was a conscious choice. I limited screen time, stayed consistent with my revisions, and gave myself time to recharge mentally. My parents played a huge role in helping me stay grounded, they gave me the freedom to study my way, while also reminding me to take care of my health. I've grown as a student and as a person. This is just the beginning of a longer journey. I'll prepare for JEE with even more dedication," Ishaan said. Uplabdhi Sachan from Study Hall scored 98%, achieving a perfect 100 in science. Her mantra was to believe in herself, stay dedicated, and work consistently. She wants to pursue English and history and dreams of becoming a professor. "For me, success was never just about the marks, it was about learning, discipline, and growth I experienced along the way. I stuck to a routine, focused on understanding concepts, and most importantly, I believed in myself," she said. Top scorers of City International School were Yashika Srivastava (98.8%), Tejas (96%), Prabadh Dwivedi (95%), Pururaj (93.8%), Manu Singh (92.6%) and Tejas Kumar Gautam (91.8%). Anika Purwar (97.4%) and Mimansa Sankritya (96.6%) were the top performers from Amity International School, Gomtinagar.
