Since most of the university vice-chancellors were errand boys of the film-star-turned-CMs, they indulge actors, directors and sundry celebrities by decorating them with honorary doctorates. Writers and intellectuals are damned. This class has to face disrespect and derision on a daily basis. A few years ago, a well-known French writer and I were invited to give a speech at a leading university in Tamil Nadu. We were ushered in to the VC’s office for a courtesy visit. The VC said he knew of me through my TV appearances. During our 30 minute interaction he showed no inclination to know about our works. He was keen on doing all the talking. What’s more, he would often pat the Frenchman on his thigh as though we were bosom buddies. My flustered friend felt that this kind of behavior would be frowned upon even at a bar table among friends, let alone strangers. It felt like that I was in a conversation with an unlettered auto rickshaw driver, not a VC of a university for half an hour.