‘Visa Fraud Se Bache’ campaign urges students in Punjab and Haryana to follow safe and legal routes for UK study and travel
The Voice of Chandigarh:
The British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh, in association with Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, Chandigarh, and Yuvsatta, organised an awareness session on Chevening Scholarships and Fellowships on Tuesday. The session aimed to inform students and young professionals about higher education opportunities in the United Kingdom and raise awareness about the growing issue of visa and immigration fraud in the region.
The session was addressed by Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh; Dr Richa Sharma, Officiating Principal of Dev Samaj College of Education; Rajinder S Nagarkoti, Senior Adviser – Political, Media and Migration, British High Commission; and Dr Sukant Gupta, Senior Advocate and Chevening Alumnus. Students and faculty members from the college attended the programme and actively interacted with the speakers.
Speaking at the event, British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio highlighted the importance of the Chevening Scholarships programme, the UK Government’s flagship global scholarship initiative that offers fully funded opportunities for outstanding students and professionals to pursue one-year master’s degrees at leading universities in the United Kingdom. She said that Chevening seeks individuals with leadership potential who are committed to bringing positive change to their communities and countries.
Smeriglio encouraged students to explore the diverse academic and research opportunities available in the UK and emphasised that the Chevening programme has created a strong global network of leaders and professionals. She also noted that India has a vibrant community of Chevening alumni who are contributing significantly across fields such as public policy, law, media, business, academia and civil society.
During the session, Rajinder S Nagarkoti spoke about the ‘Visa Fraud Se Bache’ awareness campaign being run by the British High Commission in India, particularly in the states of Punjab and Haryana, to help students and families avoid falling victim to immigration and visa fraud. He explained that the campaign focuses on educating people about safe and legal routes to travel, study or work in the UK and encourages them to rely only on verified information and authorised processes.
Nagarkoti highlighted that many individuals are misled by fraudulent agents who promise guaranteed visas or illegal migration routes. He urged students to verify all information through official sources, avoid sharing sensitive documents with unauthorised agents, and use only legitimate channels when applying for visas. He also emphasised that awareness and informed decision-making are key to preventing such fraud.
Dr Sukant Gupta, Senior Advocate and a Chevening alumnus, shared his personal experience of studying in the UK under the Chevening programme. He spoke about how the scholarship broadened his professional perspective and connected him with a global network of scholars and leaders. Drawing from his legal expertise, he also informed students about the legal remedies available to victims of visa and immigration fraud and encouraged them to report such cases through appropriate legal channels.
Welcoming the speakers and participants, Dr Richa Sharma, Officiating Principal of Dev Samaj College of Education, thanked the British Deputy High Commission for organising the informative session. She said the interaction provided valuable insights to students about international education opportunities as well as the importance of staying vigilant against fraudulent practices related to overseas migration.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion where students asked questions about the Chevening application process, studying in the UK, and ways to identify and avoid visa fraud.
